side lights

Le_Kirk

I seem to recall some years ago that a law was introduced (specifically to stop people driving around on side lights) that if it was dreary/foggy/raining or otherwise poor visibility, you had to use dipped headlights. There were a couple of incidences of police pulling over people who only had on side lights and asked why they were using their lights. When drivers answered because it's poor visibility, they did them for not having dipped headlights on!!!

reeac

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I'm with Hedgehog above, the light wars have reached a level of stupidity now, with each new model gaining still brighter and ever more stupid looking lights, will it finally reach the point where we all start wearing Polaroid sunglasses permanently so the level of light seen is reset to 80's sensibilities.

Those old enough might remember how pleasurable LOndon driving was when everyone, except turkey treaders from the back of beyond, drove round on sidelights only, how nice that was.
Thousands of innocents were not killed nor maimed because of this, arguably night vision stayed at a useful level so the unlit pedestrian in his donkey jacket didn't disappear into the jet black 3cm beyond the 4 billion watt beam cut off of modern light design.

I agree about DRL's, like electric parking brake an answer to a question never asked, idiotic looking things too.

Hear, hear. The powers that be introduced a wattage limit for headlights (55/60) way back but the HID and LED lights on the road now, particularly from German manufacturers, make a nonsense of it. There should now be a limit based on lumens, not watts.

AdrianC

Sides + front fogs if the fog is thick enough to be reflecting even dip beam back at you.

Otherwise, only if I think that the car needs to be illuminated when parked - or to give a little illumination to open or close something like a gate. If I'm moving, and lights will help me be visible to others, then straight to dip.

trailingspouse

Some interesting thoughts. Yes, driving in fog isn't my favourite pastime, and not helped by cars with no lights at all.

Hedgehog99 and gilbert and sullivan - you say you use them 'when appropriate' - I'm really interested to know when specifically you would say it's appropriate?

I agree with other posters - if I need any lights at all I go straight to dipped headlights. Sidelights in fog are neither use nor ornament (presumably these drivers think they're saving on the electric??).

societys_child

(presumably these drivers think they're saving on the electric??)

Listen, when you've a dodgy battery, you can't have heater, full bore music system, and lights on all at the same time. You have to cut back on something . . .

EdGasket

societys_child wrote: »

Listen, when you've a dodgy battery, you can't have heater, full bore music system, and lights on all at the same time. You have to cut back on something . . .

Assuming the engine is running then it is your alternator that is powering the items you mention and with 90A odd output it will be more than capable. So no need to cut back due to a 'dodgy battery'.

Jackmydad

EdGasket wrote: »

Assuming the engine is running then it is your alternator that is powering the items you mention and with 90A odd output it will be more than capable. So no need to cut back due to a 'dodgy battery'.

. . . unless you've got a dodgy alternator as well. . .
I always drive on headlights if lights are needed. I had to drive about ten miles through the murk just before Christmas, and the number of people driving on sidelights, or no lights was scary. Some of them even had a sidelight out! :eek:

Gloomendoom

trailingspouse wrote: »

(presumably these drivers think they're saving on the electric??).

They are saving on the "electric".

However, I only ever use side lights alone if the car is parked.

phill99

Side lights are as much use as t%ts on a fish.


If you are going to put lights on, well then put the headlights on. people can't see you with just your headlights and you can't see anything with them. I would ban them

societys_child

EdGasket wrote: »

Assuming the engine is running then it is your alternator that is powering the items you mention and with 90A odd output it will be more than capable. So no need to cut back due to a 'dodgy battery'.

Pedantic or what. :wall:

Anyway, I have a dodgy generator which is probably why my battery's a bit iffy.

Hows the humour by-pass treatment going?