Why is it that ...

[CaptainColourful]

On a grey wet day all the silver & grey cars refuse to use headlights ?

It seems to me that 80% of newer cars are a similar grey/silver colour these days. They blend into the rain and drizzle so well don't they ?

One or two do sometimes realise its raining so turn on their parking lights.
Yes parking, not driving.... they make me so angry !!!

As far as I can recall, it is an offence to drive without proper lighting on dull wet days, in fog, mist and snow...   I always taught my pupils that anyhow ... has the law changed or are people just downright suicidal these days?
 
My arguement goes like this....
If you don't put your headlights on in snow, rain etc, then you are commiting an offence, maybe unknowingly as you don't consider the visibility to be poor, so therefore you have some sort of excuse.. argue ( err, debate ) with the plod who pulls you and you may get away with it.

However,
If you turn your parking lights on, you obviously have realised that visibility is poor so can and should be knocked off by the plod.

Personally I just prefer to pull out on you in my truck.
 You didn't want me to see you anyway !


While I am ranting,  can anyone explain why the guy with parking lights comes hurtling past me and then proceeds to blind me with his rear foglight ?
 

OK rant over... feel better now.

[Highlander1]

That's because those types are clueless who mostly if you asked them what the switches on the dash were for they wouldn't have a clue.

The types who would tell you  front FOG LIGHTS were driving lamps !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or, "owe it's not my car," " I don't know how to turn them off." (or on)." Iv'e just bought the car so don't know".  "It's my wifes car she normally drives it." "Oh I thought they looked cool."

If they bought a new aeroplane would they read the ruddy instructions and find out how to drop the wheels before landing.

[L90OOK]

PMSL  :lol: ...I have the same rant, especially around these Devon lanes... :roll:
IMHO they should make it law that we drive with headlights during the day or night.

[Bush Tucker Man]

This has been one of my regular questions on here & other forums for quite a while now

It's true, it's always the silver/grey/graphite (whatever) cars that don't show any lights.

If they're involved in a collision/incident, the phrase; Contributary Negligence ought to apply!

[Thrasher]

AFAIK my automatic headlights will come on if the automatic windscreen wipers are on for a period of time (like a minute). So there must be some law/rule somewhere for it to try and make sure I'm visible and can see :)

[strapping young lad]

grey/silver/white cars are normally company cars driven by people who dont give a f..k about their car or those around them

reason given is that a mate of mine said "it aint my car, so why should i give a s..."

[L90OOK]

grey/silver/white cars are normally company cars driven by people who dont give a f..k about their car or those around them

reason given is that a mate of mine said "it aint my car, so why should i give a s..."

Nice attitude...about the same as the guy who hit me five years ago & broke my back in two places...I wouldn't mind meeting him for a little attitude adjustment...

[Terranosaurus]

One or two do sometimes realise its raining so turn on their parking lights.
Yes parking, not driving.... they make me so angry !!!

By parking lights I assume you mean side lights. It has been impossible to drive with just side lights on in newly built cars now for quite a number of years. Can't remember when but "Dim -Dip" becam,e compulsory, whereby if the engine is running and the side lights are switched on the headlight bulbs receive 12volts to them but in series so the get nominal 6volts each and illuminate dimly. This is a much better solution as  peole driving round even with dipped headlights on in rain can cause dazzle. Remember all the old adds for rear fogs and not using them in rain "Don't Dazzle". Rear fogs are 21w, dipped beam is 55w all be it focused at 3% down but it still dazzles.

[strapping young lad]

people pay a lot less respect to other road users and their own vehicles than they did say 10-15yrs ago

dont know why but thats the feeling i get

[The Ant Hill Mob]

Perhaps some folk just want to get bumped, and claim compensation for whiplash, plus get a few days/weeks off work?

Same sort of people that say 'sorry mate, I didn't see you!'.  Those that have seen blue will know it's not exactly subtle.  Chaps (and chapesses) seem to have a range-rover shaped blind spot!

[rollazuki]

Can I ask a question?

What do the police force have against driving with fog lights on?

Is it an offence?

They are designed to cast a low flat beam, NOT DAZZLE, so are unlikely to cause an offence to anyone. They only come on if lights are already on, so effectively just increase the amount of DIP beam available.

Remember, Im not talking about spotlights, but low level fog lights.

Why all the fuss?

Rolla :?:

[Terranosaurus]

What do the police force have against driving with fog lights on?

Is it an offence?

Yes it is an offence, they may only be used when visiblity is seriously reduce 100 metres or less in fog or falling snow.

They are designed to cast a low flat beam, NOT DAZZLE, so are unlikely to cause an offence to anyone. They only come on if lights are already on, so effectively just increase the amount of DIP beam available.

They can but may not be wired to be used on their own with just sidelights, but only  when visibility is etc etc

[CaptainColourful]

One or two do sometimes realise its raining so turn on their parking lights.
Yes parking, not driving.... they make me so angry !!!

By parking lights I assume you mean side lights. It has been impossible to drive with just side lights on in newly built cars now for quite a number of years. Can't remember when but "Dim -Dip" becam,e compulsory, whereby if the engine is running and the side lights are switched on the headlight bulbs receive 12volts to them but in series so the get nominal 6volts each and illuminate dimly. This is a much better solution as  peole driving round even with dipped headlights on in rain can cause dazzle. Remember all the old adds for rear fogs and not using them in rain "Don't Dazzle". Rear fogs are 21w, dipped beam is 55w all be it focused at 3% down but it still dazzles.

"Dim Dip" are fine if they reduce the light to 50% or so, most are only a 5w sidelight bulb fixed into the headlamp unit ........ wholly inadequate !
Any dipped headlamp that dazzles is usually because they are out of line....

[CaptainColourful]

Oh and while I am at it...  

Sometimes using front foglights only is necessary in order to reduce bounce-back glare from your own dipped headlamps, the low wide beam doesn't dazzle you.

[hobbit]

Back in Germany even in the 70s & 80s you have to drive on dipped headlights in rain or other bad weather (ie fog, snow etc)  by law

SHame they dont do it here, a few spot fines would soon enforce the law

[Bunnie]

puggy has automatic headlights so its normally all or nothing if that makes sense. i do sometimes turn my fog lights on inorder for the side lights to stay on. i feel it stops the sudden burst of brightlight to the car infront esp if its not quite dull in places for them to stay on permantly.

[SWEETY]

If it starts to rain or is getting dull I always put the sidelights on, it's prob to do with what my parents & driving instructor told me years ago " You maybe able to see them but can they see you"

[thermidorthelobster]

Why the sidelights though Sweety?  Why not the headlights?  I was taught that basically the sidelights are parking lights only (as referred to above).  So it should be headlights or nothing.  The problem comes when it gets darker and people end up driving around with their sidelights on.

[Thrasher]

Sidelights on most vehicles illuminate the rear running lights - just as if you had the front main lights on. Are we saying we can't see cars on the other carriageway? Or cars in front of us? Or cars trying to pass us?

Bit confused now?

[SWEETY]

I worded that wrong  :oops: I alter the lights depending on the weather & time of day ie mid day slight rain - sidelights, hard rain - headlights etc. the same aplies to the light condition aswell. I find I hard to put what is in my head into words at times :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

[Highlander1]

Front fogs do dazzle I don't care what anyone say's.

If I'm on my bike they really do cause problems for me in the wet.

If some prat puts fogs on and your trying to see deer on the verge they dazzle you can't see the deer wallop deers inside car.
You always get a blind spot when cars pass each other at night don't make it worse. Deer coming through windscreens kill.  

It's against the law for a reason and anyone using them to see better needs glasses.

If you use them try stopping at the roadside switch them on when no ones likely to get dazzled and see how much they assist with your driving. Few feet at most in front isn't going to help you see the road ahead at night.

That's what main beams for.

I'd sugget if your dipped lights arn,t good enough for you then they are set wrong or you need an eye test.

Have a nice day.

[Thrasher]

Fog lights dazzle even more in the rain if you wear glasses :(

[hairyasswelder]

Am I Public Enemy no. 1 or just paranoid????
As a biker I have been hammered  
As a smoker .... again... thrashed  :shock:  :shock:
As a 4x4 driver.... well you all know  :roll:
and now theres a problem with silver cars  :?  :?

Now I'm gonna go put my head in the oven before anyone else decides to pick fault with the way my life is running

Oh by the way, I am divorced, living in sin with my illigitimate son and 21 year old g/f  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Pick the bones out of that  :twisted:

rant over and oven sorted  

[muddyjames]

I have a imediate reaction to rain and that is as soon as the wipers go on the headlights go on as well. I was told by my instructor nearly 8 years ago that lights dont cause less mpg so why keep them a secret. show everyone they work and then they can see you!

Fog lights are to be used when visibility is less than 100m and nobody infront or behind. as soon as someone approaches from behind or you catch someone up they should be turned off. (look up the highway code   )

Ford had the right idea in that if the rear fog lights were turned on then as soon as the ignition was turned off then the fog lightswere turned off to, so the next time you start up the lights wouldn't be on. Cunning eh

I used to reguarly end up behind a volvo on the way into work in a 60mph zone doing 40mph with their fog lights on. Every day along the same bit of road I would be dazzled. I reguarly overtook and flashed my fog lights on and off hoping they would take the hint but never did. Ihave a different job now and go the opposite way down the road :lol:

And for silver cars. How comes they can be run around for ages and still not look like they need a clean? My Mums clio is silver and her past 3 cars have been silver. She only washes it once a year if the moon is blue! Never looks dirty though  :twisted:  Must be a nightmare for 4x4 drivers trying to make them look dirty from off roading :lol: (yes Im jealous!!)

[MuddyMike]

AFAIK my automatic headlights will come on if the automatic windscreen wipers are on for a period of time (like a minute). So there must be some law/rule somewhere for it to try and make sure I'm visible and can see :)

My last car had those, I was pleased to discover the current one does not. The problem with auto lights is when you set out on a dark and foggy morning they come on, as it gets light they go off, but its still foggy. I know I should anticipate this and manually switch them on, but many time I forgot to  override it and found myself driving in fog with no lights. As for the auto wipers, what a waste of gismos they are, give me a good variable random wipe (which current car has) anyday.

Mike

[sardonicus]

What about driving in the evening or early morning with the sun behind you?I always put my lights on especially on motorways when you are blinded by the sun in the rear view mirror,I wish others would.

[muddyjames]

Forgot to say my bit about auto lights.

There is a short section of trees up a hill with a side road at the top. I have seen cars come up there with auto lights that turn on under the trees then off again as they come out the trees. It can easily be mistaken by them flashing you. I know the highway code says that flashing headlights says you are there but 90% of the country think that flashing headlights means you are letting them go. So many people turning right into the road have taken the lights as being flashed and puled accross with a few near misses!!!

Dangerous things these auto lights!  :? Is it really to much effort to turn a switch a notch further to on?

[Highlander1]

Good point mate and for the foreing visitors to them it means get out of my way I'm comming through.!

[CaptainColourful]

Sidelights on most vehicles illuminate the rear running lights - just as if you had the front main lights on. Are we saying we can't see cars on the other carriageway? Or cars in front of us? Or cars trying to pass us?

Bit confused now?

Rear lights ( apart from the foglights ) weren't in the equation because you should always drive slowly enough to be able to stop within the distance you can see is clear. i.e. if you cant see where your going, you are going too fast !   If all you can see a rear foglight in front of you, don't follow it.  

What I was saying is that without headlights on a car approaching you from any direction is invisible in fog,rain or snow.....  silver and grey cars hide in the gloom better than other colours.
  The fact that its driver has noticed that visibility is poor and turned on  parking lights (sidelights, or whatever you want to call them) proves that he has taken a conscious decision that he needs lights.... and that should be dipped headlights not something the equivalent of a birthday cake candle.

The only time sidelights should be used on a moving vehicle are when they are in conjunction with front foglights.

The puggy having auto lights will switch on dipped headlights not sidelights..... On my Jag I also have an option for manual switching so that I can use foglights without dipped beam... I would imagine the puggy has a similar option.

On my truck I can put parking lights on, but once I hit the ignition switch the headlights come on at a reduced brightness..... not all truck manufacturers fit this, so some truckers can be seen driving along with parking lights on.
IMHO it should be law to have driving lights/ dipped beam on at all times similar to how it is in Canada.