Could you do me a favour please?

Johnmcl7

almillar wrote: »

This can't be true?! Aren't headlights (dipped beam) required up to 30 mins after lighting up time (the officially published time when street lights come on)?

No, only sidelights are required (which may be the same light as the DRL's, I can't remember the exact rules as it rings a faint bell that the car can't have sidelights if it has a specific DRL) when in an area lit by streetlamps:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/24/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/25/made

https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/lighting-requirements-113-to-116

And your sidelights (not DRLs) ARE rubbish. What's wrong with headlights?

Agreed though as above, some cars have the DRL's as the sidelights and some of these can be quite prominent. I'm sure I read a discussion about an Octavia Mk II VRS which has LED DRL's fitted on a front bumper while the rest of the range uses the sidelights as DRL's so on the VRS the sidelights are fitted but can't be active.

Did I see a car the other day with DRLs on, and no lights at the back? You'll be seen from the front, but not the back!

Quite possibly, if a car has DRL's it will normally only light the front DRL's and not the rear lights therefore if the person forgets to switch on their lights only the front ones will be on. On one sense it's bad because the person hasn't properly switched their lights on but on the other hand at least there's some lighting compared to those without DRL's who forget to switch on their lights and have no light at all. I can't see the DRL's producing enough light for people to think their headlights are on.

Anyone saying 'get your eyesight tested' - my eyesight's fine. But I'll see a lit car from further away than an unlit car, as will any human, even with perfect vision. If your car's parked, fine, but if you're moving, don't bother with sidelights, they're a waste of time.

I agree entirely.

John

Retrogamer

almillar wrote: »

This can't be true?! Aren't headlights (dipped beam) required up to 30 mins after lighting up time (the officially published time when street lights come on)?
And your sidelights (not DRLs) ARE rubbish. What's wrong with headlights?

Nope, as long as there is street lighting and it's a 30mph limit, only vehicle position lights (i.e sidelights) are needed up front.

Nothing wrong with headlights. How would you know if my sidelights are rubbish if you've never seen them before?

almillar wrote: »

If your car's parked, fine, but if you're moving, don't bother with sidelights, they're a waste of time.

Not mines, they're really bright.

They use a similar cree LED to the one used in modern smartphone flashes and are much brighter than standard

mollycat

davetrousers wrote: »

Please could you go and look at how rubbish your vehicle's side lights are and bear this in mind next time you think "I only need to put my side lights on"

And while you're at it check that all your lights are functioning correctly.

Thanks

Attempted to follow instructions as per your request but have slipped and fallen in the snow.

Think leg is broken....

Losing lots...of blood...

Slipping...in and....out of......consciousness....

If ....anyone ...ever ..finds me, .....gonna.....sue...you.....

SailorSam

Equally as bad as those who drive with only side lights on are, the people who drive with their rear fog lights even when the weather is fine. They dazzle the driver behind you just as much as headlights dazzle approaching vehicles.

littlerock

I bought new more powerful headlights and side lights late last year.

Richard53

This thread brings together my three pet hates:


1. It's only mist, not proper fog, so my sidelights will do. (Hint: many times I see your whole car before I see the dim little sidelights, so they aren't helping at all.)


2. I'm not going very fast on this unlit country road, so I don't need my main beams at all. I'm sure the car behind me is happy with this.


3. It's slightly drizzling (or it was when I started off an hour ago) so I can leave my rear fog light on.


And don't get me started on the 'I know I have only one headlight working, but I'll get it done in time for the MoT in April' crew.


Grrrrrr.

Joe_Horner

neilmcl wrote: »

I'd rather have a car with sidelights in the above scenario than another lit up like a xmas tree dazzling everyone they come across and preventing anyone being able to see what's around them, ie, cyclists, pedestrians about to cross the road etc.

Personally, I'd rather have one with correctly adjusted headlamps on dipped beam thanks. But that would require people to:

(a) remember the really difficult task of turning their lights on to the required setting, and

(b) keep their bloody cars maintained properly.

Neither of which seems to be within the capabilities of a large number of road users!

windup

It's a useful if unscientific snapshot of someones IQ, cars driving at any time on sidelights aren't very bright.

Strider590

Pet hate, pulling out to overtake a parked car, a cyclist, a tractor, etc and seeing a white Nissan Micra coming out of the fog toward me with two f'in tealights stuck to the bonnet!!!! :mad:

C_Mababejive

If the road is well lit and i do not perceive any hazards then i will drive on sidelights. I also drive within the speed limit. Modern vehicle sidelights (i.e usually headlights but not main bulb) are very efficient and not like the candle lights of yesteryear.

Inappropriate use of dipped main beams can be quite distracting and dazzling. When the human eye is exposed to bright light, its automatic reaction is to shut down the iris sometimes meaning that you actually have poorer perception and acuity.

Very few people have ever seen real darkness but if you have ever sailed at night it is quite revealing. After a few minutes of total darkness a whole new world opens up as your iris opens to its max. You can see the slightest thing which may be miles away i.e a passing vessel,signals,buoys etc. But a flash of light from a small torch,and instantly its all gone.