Could you do me a favour please?

alastairq

So to sum that up, I can have legally adjusted dipped beam that would illuminate in excess of the Highway Code stopping distance for 60mph?

Not picking on the poster above in any way, just using their words as a quote.....but

What about 70 mph?

How fast do we all travel on motorways, on dipped headlights?

Are we all quite sure our rear lights are actually working? Or, visible?

What about if it's raining?
Are we 'safe{?} driving at 60 on dipped headlights?

[Highway Code stopping distances are under 'ideal' conditions...everybody's response times will vary, depending on how alert we are, whether we are distracted, or even, whether we can see that far?

Nick_C

I learned to drive in 2007 with the AA. My instructor told me I should never drive on side lights. Headlights or nothing for driving. Side lights for parking.

I know it's not the law, but he was trying to teach me to be a safe driver. (I think he succeeded.)

Retrogamer

Nick_C wrote: »

I learned to drive in 2007 with the AA. My instructor told me I should never drive on side lights. Headlights or nothing for driving. Side lights for parking.

I know it's not the law, but he was trying to teach me to be a safe driver. (I think he succeeded.)

Mines was different. I passed around 2005 IIRC and he told me to use the sidelights when it's reduced visibility, but not dark and on 30mph limits.

It was raining and cloudy during my test and i had them on and nothing was said when i passed

Tilt

Retrogamer wrote: »

Mines was different. I passed around 2005 IIRC and he told me to use the sidelights when it's reduced visibility, but not dark and on 30mph limits.

It was raining and cloudy during my test and i had them on and nothing was said when i passed

Hmm, well I guess it depends on how much reduced is "reduced visibility". Rule of thumb is if it's raining sufficient enough for you to need your wipers on a constant setting rather than on intermittent, then you should have your dipped head lights on no matter what the speed limit is. Equally if it's foggy enough to reduce your visibility down to less than 100 mtrs, again you should have your dipped head lights on.

Side lights alone should only be used in dusk conditions, light rain or at night where the speed limit dosn't exceed 30 mph and there is adequate street lighting. And of course for parking in certain situations.

Retrogamer

That's pretty much when i do use them as per above post for the most part

Edwood_Woodwood

EdGasket wrote: »

Maybe get your eyes tested! If you can't see a big car with sidelights what chance has a cyclist got?

Yeah, Mr Magoo type rant by the OP.

alastairq

All of you...kindly stop parking, facing the 'wrong' way at night, leaving your headlights on!!!

Whilst you may be on dipped beam, your headlight beams are aimed downwards, and to the left!!!!

Right into the faces of traffic coming towards you!!

And whilst you're at it, that mate of yours, stood traffic-side, chatting through your passenger window, cannot be seen behind your headlights...so will get cleaned up.

There is no excuse to leave your headlights switched on whilst you are sat there....it is done either through ignorance, or simple lack of awareness..[if the cap fits?]

Strider590

alastairq wrote: »

All of you...kindly stop parking, facing the 'wrong' way at night, leaving your headlights on!!!

Yup, this one get on my nerves too..... Worse if it's some sort of 4x4 or crossover and the thing is they just don't realise what they're doing wrong.

photome

Retrogamer wrote: »

Mines was different. I passed around 2005 IIRC and he told me to use the sidelights when it's reduced visibility, but not dark and on 30mph limits.

It was raining and cloudy during my test and i had them on and nothing was said when i passed

IMO its headlights or nothing when driving, I see too many idiots when its overcast and raining with just sidelights on (in a 30mph included)

Dont get me started on fog lights

Retrogamer

photome wrote: »

IMO its headlights or nothing when driving, I see too many idiots when its overcast and raining with just sidelights on (in a 30mph included)

I guess who ever makes up the laws of the road must be idiots then, because it's perfectly legal to just drive about at night in a 30mph limit with street lighting using only your sidelights.

Add my driving instructor and examiner into that mix as well as i only had sidelights on during my test because it was cloudy with some rain.

As has already been mentioned, it's can often increase the visability around the vehicle when it's just using sidelights because then you see the vehicle and it's position as marked by the lights clearly as well as it's surroundings.
Put on dipped and as soon as you look at the vehicle you see bright dipped lights so your eyes adjust and you can't see things as clearly beside it.