Headlights

UsernameAlreadyExists

droopsnoot wrote: »

But I do keep seeing motorcycles around here without headlamps on, which I thought was mandatory.

It's not mandatory in the UK, but it is in the US. Hence US bikes, (and indeed some bikes intended for the US market) don't have the light switch fitted.

BeenThroughItAll

aardvaak wrote: »

Why would she be doing this?

I have read all of the other replies, but I think there is a much simpler answer than many have proposed.

The driver was a moron. Simple as that.

Iceweasel

As of the 1st of July this year we now have no less than 22 European countries than have a mandatory 'headlights on at all times' law.

It'll become law here in the UK no doubt sometime soon.

Switzerland being the latest to recommend them, but it's not law there yet - so no penalty.

Another thing in the pipeline of course is reflective vests to be carried inside the car.

Yet again our freedom, liberty, and democracy is being eroded by rules from Europe.

I don't know where it's going to stop with all this nonsense of unnecessary safety stuff some countries want you to carry with you - like first-aid kits, warning triangles, fire-extinguishers, spare bulbs, etc. etc.

Then of course comes helmets for cyclists.

Bring back the good old days where you could hurt yourself, burn and die if you chose to.

Strider590

Iceweasel wrote: »

As of the 1st of July this year we now have no less than 22 European countries than have a mandatory 'headlights on at all times' law.

It'll become law here in the UK no doubt sometime soon.

And so it should, I'm f**king sick of morons who drive about in adverse conditions with no f**king lights on!!!!!

My lights are on pretty much all the time, because its shocking how many people drive about in dream land, not watching or seeing what's going on around them..... They think as long as they do 42mph, nothing bad can happen.

topdaddy_2

Its quite simply a good idea.

mttylad

She may also have had a previous accident.

Then read the accident claim form, which asks "did you have your headlights on?".

If the insurance are asking it then by having them on you are able to say yes, and pass that bit of the "was if your fault" test

Richard53

droopsnoot wrote: »

But I do keep seeing motorcycles around here without headlamps on, which I thought was mandatory.

Not mandatory in the UK - yet. Most modern bikes started to have hard-wired headlights around 2005-06. My Yamaha (2006) has an always-on headlight, and my Honda (2003) has a switch. I think by now almost all new bikes will be hard-wired. There is no legislation that I am aware of, just a general market-led thing, where it is easier to make the specification of the bike match the maximum requirements of the countries where it will be sold (such as France or the US) rather then have different specs for different markets. Pretty sure the EU will have hinted that it will soon be mandatory, and the manufacturers are just falling into line sooner rather than later.


Personally, I prefer to have the choice, and on the Honda I ride with the headlight on perhaps 50% of the time, depending on conditions and traffic etc.