Driving with Headlights on

jase1

Joe_Horner wrote: »

But I (and I suspect alastairq) have adopted the mindset that, when driving, you need to be doing so in a way that you can cope with anything that happens - from slow drivers to a lorry crossing the central barrier or a meteorite landing in the 3rd lane 50 yards in front of you.

It's probably not possible to be genuinely prepared for everything like that, but it's certainly possible to aim to be. If you approach driving with the attitude that "it's my responsibility to avoid anything, no matter who's fault, and if I don't then I've failed" then you're far more likely to avoid the apparenly unavoidable than if you start thinking "he caused it" before it even happens. The genuinely unavoidable is another matter, of course, but those meteorites don't land often

That is fine, but it doesn't make the actions of all the idiots on the road acceptable!

I have always managed to avoid idiots on the road up to now, but it doesn't alter the fact that, if there was a loophole in the law that allowed me to shoot some of these people in the head without fear of prosecution, I'd be at the front of the queue for the gun :cool:

Joe_Horner

jase1 wrote: »

That is fine, but it doesn't make the actions of all the idiots on the road acceptable!

I have always managed to avoid idiots on the road up to now, but it doesn't alter the fact that, if there was a loophole in the law that allowed me to shoot some of these people in the head without fear of prosecution, I'd be at the front of the queue for the gun :cool:

Really can't argue with that - if you ever find yourself Sec of State for Transport I hope introducing that loophole will be your first initiative

alastairq

that's why big heavy vehicles have big reflective bits up the side, or even an escort as you say

As I posted earlier, no necessarily so, and not in any way required by Law.

Driving at 30 on a motoway in a car is selfish and dangerous.

Only from your personal viewpoint. From the viewpoint of that driver, possibly entirely different.

How would you know?

That BMW in limp mode you've just come across, is acting legally and correctly.

As I keep saying, it isn't what other are doing, in whatever shape of vehicle, that matters...it's how you as individuals cope with that other road user that is so important.

On the topic of lights, how many of you get agitated when you come across someone whose lights are not 'on' [when they perhaps should be?}?

Do you start ranting, and accusing them of being idiots, or inconsiderate?

Do you get upset because their apparent lack of thought meant you had to work much harder at your driving/observation skills?

Or, do you take note, and think 'jolly good job you saw them in plenty of time,' and coped?

I know I do the latter.....[I used to do the former].....now, I just cope comfortably, and get on with the job of driving.

alastairq

jase1 wrote: »

That is fine, but it doesn't make the actions of all the idiots on the road acceptable!

I have always managed to avoid idiots on the road up to now, but it doesn't alter the fact that, if there was a loophole in the law that allowed me to shoot some of these people in the head without fear of prosecution, I'd be at the front of the queue for the gun :cool:

The danger with that view is, you might just become someone else's target?

Jamie_Carter

Joe_Horner wrote: »

I think we're pretty much on the same page with this, just slightly different editions of the book.

I totally agree that people who drive that slowly on motorways for no good reason should be stopped from doing so, and that people who overturn horse boxes and cause hours of chaos on a hot Friday should really try not to!

But I (and I suspect alastairq) have adopted the mindset that, when driving, you need to be doing so in a way that you can cope with anything that happens - from slow drivers to a lorry crossing the central barrier or a meteorite landing in the 3rd lane 50 yards in front of you.

It's probably not possible to be genuinely prepared for everything like that, but it's certainly possible to aim to be. If you approach driving with the attitude that "it's my responsibility to avoid anything, no matter who's fault, and if I don't then I've failed" then you're far more likely to avoid the apparenly unavoidable than if you start thinking "he caused it" before it even happens. The genuinely unavoidable is another matter, of course, but those meteorites don't land often


eta:

as a small example, on the same trip up the M5 we hit very variable traffic around Worcester - you know the sort, 80mph one minute, then everyone braking to stopped, then back up to speed for no apparent reason.

The simple thing in that situation (as with many) is to leave extra gap. I was doing that (about 5 or 6 seconds to the car ahead) while keeping speed with the traffic ahead, but had someone who certainly wasn't leaving enough gap behind me. Traffic suddenly came to a standstill and the guy behind was headed for my boot. Because of the extra gap, I had room to come off the brakes and leave him enough space to miss me. If he'd hit me, it would have been "his fault" for tailgating, but I was able to stop his mistake becoming another blocked motorway - win / win for everyone!

Interestingly, I suspect he must have shaken himself quite a bit because after that his gap opened out to a very respectable size

An excellent example of defensive driving :T:T:T

Lum

alastairq wrote: »

How would you know?

That BMW in limp mode you've just come across, is acting legally and correctly.

Because the person in question posted on an internet forum to say that they did it specifically to wind up someone who they feel has aggrieved them by following them whilst owning a car fitted with legally required DRLs.

Other cars you are 100% correct of course, though in the case of a single carriageway with laybys, which was where this discussion started, you'd hope that the person stuck at 30 would periodically pull over to let the queue they have built up get past.

I know that's what I did when I was stuck at low speeds and gentle cornering due to carrying a car engine in the back of a manky old diesel Passat. If nothing else the sheer embarrassment of creating that massive queue was enough motivation to do it, plus not wanting to hold people up, but plenty of others do this and have an IDGAF attitude, or never look in their mirrors, and sail slowly past every layby without ever giving a thought about other people.

Netwizard

anamenottaken wrote: »

Ever owned a Volvo?

Not read the whole thread (can't be bothered) but this My 940 has lights that are on, even when the dials are off. Its a good thing imo. I don't see how being LESS visible is a good thing.

DRL's are also a good thing and also look good (Skoda Octavia vRS Estate) being one car where I think DRL's look very nice

I think the bigger issue on the roads is the amount of cyclists riding around at night with NO lights on whatsoever.

I encounter these idiots on a nightly basis but I guess thats a moan for another day!

knightstyle

Has anyone else thought they can be dangerous?
Driving at night, stop to post a letter, switch headlights off and lock the car, back to car, start up, headlights come on (DRL) drive off thinking lights are on. BUT the rear lights are not!
Just a thought!

interstellaflyer

knightstyle wrote: »

Has anyone else thought they can be dangerous?
Driving at night, stop to post a letter, switch headlights off and lock the car, back to car, start up, headlights come on (DRL) drive off thinking lights are on. BUT the rear lights are not!
Just a thought!

A lot safer than forgetting to switch your headlights on and not having DRLs fitted, at least other road users will see you coming and anything behind will pick up the reflectors. Sorry but I don't understand the logic behind your post.

Iceweasel

knightstyle wrote: »

Has anyone else thought they can be dangerous?
Driving at night, stop to post a letter, switch headlights off and lock the car, back to car, start up, headlights come on (DRL) drive off thinking lights are on. BUT the rear lights are not!
Just a thought!

The headlights will NOT come on - unless you switch them on.

Are you suggesting that at night from the driver's seat you may not discern the difference between dipped beam and DRLs?

Do you have any experience of a car with DRLs?