Use your HEAD! Use your LIGHTS!

Silvera

Just a reminder to all the folks out there to use your dipped headlights when driving in poor weather conditions.

I've lost count of the amount of cars/motorbikes/vans/trucks/buses I regularly see driving in the evenings/in rain/fog etc with just their parking lights switched on ...which are next to USELESS on a moving vehicle!

(In fact in most EU countries it is illegal to drive any vehicle on parking lights only - i.e. you must have dipped headlights on a moving vehicle.)


Interestingly, in the Independent on 3rd July, there was an article about the use of dipped lights.

The EU Transport Safety Council is urging all EU countries to make it mandatory for all motorists to use dipped headlight at all times during daylight hours.

They predict that this measure alone would save 2,800 lives per year in the EU !!

_Kaiser_

Totally agree with you. Myself I always have the dipped lights on (especially when driving at speed on the N3). I've found as well that other people don't seem to take the same stupid/dangerous risks - like pulling out from side roads in front of you - when I have them on.

Saruman

I will add to this saying in some countries like sweden you MUST have dipped headlights on during the Day!! I used to do this till i found my headlights kept going (4 different cars!!) from overuse i would say

Also Fog lights.. for the love of God people... do NOT use them unless its foggy. Its illegal as far as i know but not enforced. If its foggy, use them.. as soon as its clear then turn them off!!!

Oh and they are not "spots" they are fog lights and should only be used as such.

mikemac

I believe the French government tried to make it mandatory to use their lights but French motorcyclists protested.
They believe that they'd be at a disadvantage.

Here's a link. It's from 2004 though so fairly out of date
http://www.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/2004-09-21091912MWEALL.htm

Silvera

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Totally agree with you. Myself I always have the dipped lights on (especially when driving at speed on the N3). I've found as well that other people don't seem to take the same stupid/dangerous risks - like pulling out from side roads in front of you - when I have them on.

I normally have my dipped lights on all the time aswell, and have found the same thing - people don't pull out as quickly from side roads, gateways, etc.

As for the French biker protest....I can see where they are coming from, but I still think all roadusers should have to use DRL's.

_Kaiser_

Silvera wrote:

I normally have my dipped lights on all the time aswell, and have found the same thing - people don't pull out as quickly from side roads, gateways, etc.

I reckon it's purely a visibility thing (and especially if your car is silver as mine is). As a side note, it'd be interesting to test the eyesight of some of the people who DO make these dangerous moves. Whilst they may have been fine at the time they applied for their license, it's possible that's no longer the case?

Anan1

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I reckon it's purely a visibility thing (and especially if your car is silver as mine is). As a side note, it'd be interesting to test the eyesight of some of the people who DO make these dangerous moves. Whilst they may have been fine at the time they applied for their license, it's possible that's no longer the case?

I know lots of people with perfect vision who don't see the most obvious things. Scanning the road for potential hazards is a skill that, as far as I know, is only taught at IAM level. On which subject, have you guys ever read Roadcraft - the UK police drivers handbook? It's well worth buying, IMHO.

_Kaiser_

Anan1 wrote:

I know lots of people with perfect vision who don't see the most obvious things. Scanning the road for potential hazards is a skill that, as far as I know, is only taught at IAM level. On which subject, have you guys ever read Roadcraft - the UK police drivers handbook? It's well worth buying, IMHO.

Got a link, or would you get it in Easons? How much? What kinda stuff is covered?

Silvera

Anan1 wrote:

I know lots of people with perfect vision who don't see the most obvious things. Scanning the road for potential hazards is a skill that, as far as I know, is only taught at IAM level. On which subject, have you guys ever read Roadcraft - the UK police drivers handbook? It's well worth buying, IMHO.

Yep, bought 'Roadcraft' years ago - well worth reading for any driver!

I first started thinking about using dipped headlights in daylight hours shortly after I began driving in 1988. I noticed how many UK/EU drivers used dipped headlights in rain/sleet etc in News reports, magazine photos, etc.

I also remember reading a quote/tip in a UK mag "If your have to use your wipers, switch on your dipped lights".


Nowadays, I nearly always (automatically!) switch on my dipped lights just after I start the engine!

Anan1

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/408162/Roadcraft/Product.html

Here ya go. It may be cheaper elsewhere, but Play have free postage to Ireland. I was told to get it to prepare for the IAM test. I found the book & instruction made my driving much more systematic, for want of a better word. I found I got places quicker, got fewer frights, and enjoyed it more. As with anything, there's great pleasure to be got from the feeling that you're learning to do it to the best of your ability.

Silvera

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Got a link, or would you get it in Easons? How much? What kinda stuff is covered?

IIRC, I bought my copy in Easons. Covers all aspects of advanced driving for police drivers.

_Kaiser_

Silvera wrote:

Nowadays, I nearly always (automatically!) switch on my dipped lights just after I start the engine!

Same here. I remember there was a campaign a few years back to encourage this in everyday driving and it seemed to make a difference for a while. Could be worth repeating it.

As a related point.. what is it with people driving with one headlight out? I see so much of this every day that in most cases, it must be pure laziness to not go get a replacement bulb

Anan1

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Same here. I remember there was a campaign a few years back to encourage this in everyday driving and it seemed to make a difference for a while. Could be worth repeating it.

As a related point.. what is it with people driving with one headlight out? I see so much of this every day that in most cases, it must be pure laziness to not go get a replacement bulb

Have you ever tried replacing a headlight bulb on an Alfa 156?;)

_Kaiser_

Anan1 wrote:

Have you ever tried replacing a headlight bulb on an Alfa 156?;)

touché My Mitsubishi Mirage is probably a lot easier!

babybundy

Saruman wrote:

Also Fog lights.. for the love of God people... do NOT use them unless its foggy. Its illegal as far as i know but not enforced. If its foggy, use them.. as soon as its clear then turn them off!!!
.

does that in clued front ones even if back fogs are off

Anan1

babybundy wrote:

does that in clued front ones even if back fogs are off

Indeed it does!

d4r3n

Saruman wrote:

Also Fog lights.. for the love of God people... do NOT use them unless its foggy. Its illegal as far as i know but not enforced. If its foggy, use them.. as soon as its clear then turn them off!!!

Oh and they are not "spots" they are fog lights and should only be used as such.

I heard something on Today FM that kind of shocked me the other week, the female radio presenter advised people to make sure their fog lights were on as it was raining

_Kaiser_

d4r3n wrote:

I heard something on Today FM that kind of shocked me the other week, the female radio presenter advised people to make sure their fog lights were on as it was raining

*Grabs the popcorn and waits for the inevitable "women (drivers)! :rolleyes:" comment, followed by outraged postings from Boards's female petrolheads*

d4r3n

I'm not saying she said it because she was female, I simply said she the presenter was female as I don't know any of the presenters so the fact she's female might narrow it down to Today FM listeners!

_Kaiser_

d4r3n wrote:

I'm not saying she said it because she was female, I simply said she the presenter was female as I don't know any of the presenters so the fact she's female might narrow it down to Today FM listeners!

No I know.. I was only kidding *hides from any aforementioned female petrolheads anyway *

The amount of misinformation and conflicting opinions (right across the board - from joe public to the Gardai) regarding driving procedures in general though is actually scary. Noone seems to know what the actual rules/laws are a lot of the time.

babybundy

Anan1 wrote:

Indeed it does!

this is all i can say:o :eek: :rolleyes:

Anan1

babybundy wrote:

this is all i can say:o :eek: :rolleyes:

What's that in English?;)

bucks

I always drive with my dipped lights on regardless of the time of day or weather.

ninty9er

My mother pulled in to let me pass the other day on the road and gave out to me when i got home for having my headlights on in daylight on a clear blue sky day. the person coming behind her "thought you were flashing her". More likely she thought my mother indicating meant thatt she was pulling in!!!

Fey!

I have to agree with using lights during the day - people can see you a lot easier, especially if your in a car with a similar colour to your backroung (I hope that makes sense to everyone, not just to me!!!)

Anan1

Fey! wrote:

I have to agree with using lights during the day - people can see you a lot easier, especially if your in a car with a similar colour to your backroung (I hope that makes sense to everyone, not just to me!!!)

Or if you've got the sun behind you.

Fey!

I meant to add, have any of you ever noticed the number of drivers who flash you to warn you that you have your lights on?

Saruman

Its all down to perception i think... most people when they drive.. they drift off.. they can drive safely as long as nothing happens etc but they are thinking about stuff... you know it has happened when you suddenly notice you are much further than you thought! Its a sort of driing hypnosis.. Happens a lot on a straight boring motorway.

Anyway If an oncoming car has lights on though.. well we are like moths.. we look at the light so we see the car. I find myself staring at a car with high beams on even though i know its going to blind me I should be looking away...

So yes driving during the day with dipped headlights will get you noticed more and you are less likely to be in an accident.

Oh and at the fog light question... yes ESPECIALLY front fog lights... you blind a LOT more people with them.. rear ones only blind the person behind you.. front ones blind hundreds of drivers in the other direction!!!

I meant to add, have any of you ever noticed the number of drivers who flash you to warn you that you have your lights on?

Very rarely have i been flashed for it. Some times.. usually old people who cant change their set ways and still think its ok to drink and drive. Oh and i think mostly its women who have flashed me too!! Not sure why that would be.

Mr Magnolia

Done an advanced driving course and was informed that you're 36% less likely to have an accident if you drive withyour dipped headlights on.

Also, it's not just that you're more visible to other drivers, what about granny smith trying to cross the road to spec-savers?

Silvera

Saruman wrote:

So yes driving during the day with dipped headlights will get you noticed more and you are less likely to be in an accident.

Sparks400 wrote:

Done an advanced driving course and was informed that you're 36% less likely to have an accident if you drive with dipped lights on

Two great quotes!

Del2005

But if all car drivers drive with their dipped lights on at all times it makes it much more dangerous for cyclist,motorcyclists and pedestrians.
People will then get used to just looking for 2 bright lights coming towards then and won't notice a motorbike (single light), cyclist(some times a small battery light) or a pedestrian ( no light).
Therefore, the car crashes will drop but everything elso will go up.

See quote from MAGIRELAND below.

http://www.magireland.org/actplan.htm

Daytime Running Lights
Goal: To prevent DRL being implemented in Ireland.
The proposal by the A.C.E.A. (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers in English) to include the installation of “hard-wired” daytime running lights (DRL) as a concession to safety has been rejected by the E.U. committee conducting the inquiry. The committee decided that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that DRL contributed anything to safety and took into account the F.E.M.A report which suggested that the introduction of DRL would actually pose a hazard to motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
I have received a letter from Commissioner de Palacio indicating that the representations made by MAG Ireland and other motorcyclists’ organisations were influential in the decision to commission a study into the effects of DRL on all road users and on the relative conspicuity of motorcyclists & cyclists. The Commissioner thanked us for our contribution to the debate on this issue.
I have written to Commissioner de Palacio welcoming this study and offering any assistance we might be able to give regarding same.
Some proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Bill, 2001 currently under debate have included the introduction of DRL in the Winter months. I have contacted Deputy Denis Naughten who has made the proposal to advise him of the negative effect such a measure would have on road safety.

Our man in Havana

We will probably have some eco warrior on complaining that DRL will cause more petrol to be used and it's bad for the earth.
Does anyone know if if causes and increases petrol comsumpsion and if so by how much?

hugoline

Bond-007 wrote:

Does anyone know if if causes and increases petrol comsumpsion and if so by how much?

I used to live (and drive) in Switzerland where this change-over took place over the last 10 years (now about 75% of all cars on the road drive with dipped headlights during the day). The light obviousely use energy and therefore it will increase petrol consumption. The officials in Switzerland stated a few years back, that it is under 1% increase. I would say a cluttered boot and/or a 'bad' driving style would increase the petrol consumption by much more.

oleras

I agree with the dipped headlight during the day.... makes lots of sense.

BUT.... the fog light argument......in the fog, rear fog lights are fantastic, work a treat, without fog....PITA. Front ones on the otherhand..... in over 13 years of driving i have "NEVER" been blinded by front fog lights.... am i just very lucky ?:D .... As far as i know, all front fog lights do is light up the peripheral front of the vehicle and point twords the ground, so how would they blind the car in front ? maybe someone can shed some "light" on it for me..... (so sorry for the bad pun........)

oleras

_Kaiser_

oleras wrote:

I agree with the dipped headlight during the day.... makes lots of sense.

BUT.... the fog light argument......in the fog, rear fog lights are fantastic, work a treat, without fog....PITA. Front ones on the otherhand..... in over 13 years of driving i have "NEVER" been blinded by front fog lights.... am i just very lucky ?:D .... As far as i know, all front fog lights do is light up the peripheral front of the vehicle and point twords the ground, so how would they blind the car in front ? maybe someone can shed some "light" on it for me..... (so sorry for the bad pun........)

oleras

I'd have to agree. In normal daytime driving I've never had a problem with FRONT fog lights (rear fog lights however is a different matter). I suppose though it could be a problem at dusk/dawn, but neither is as bad idiots driving with full beam lights on and not dipping them when they meet traffic.

Eoin

Kaiser2000 wrote:

I'd have to agree. In normal daytime driving I've never had a problem with FRONT fog lights (rear fog lights however is a different matter). I suppose though it could be a problem at dusk/dawn, but neither is as bad idiots driving with full beam lights on and not dipping them when they meet traffic.

I do find them blinding - especially on 4x4 or tall vehicles in question. Was a killer when I was in the mini, as it seemed like all fog lights were at my eye line. If their purpose is to pierce through fog, then it stands to reason they shouldn't be used in non foggy conditions.

ballooba

Fey! wrote:

I meant to add, have any of you ever noticed the number of drivers who flash you to warn you that you have your lights on?

I always give people a good flash of full beams if they are lit up like a christmas tree. i.e. Full beams or Fogs and dips.

_Kaiser_

ballooba wrote:

I always give people a good flash of full beams if they are lit up like a christmas tree. i.e. Full beams or Fogs and dips.

You might as well leave the full beams on then given the amount of people that do this :rolleyes:

Silvera

oleras wrote:

I agree with the dipped headlight during the day.... makes lots of sense.

BUT.... the fog light argument......in the fog, rear fog lights are fantastic, work a treat, without fog....PITA. Front ones on the otherhand..... in over 13 years of driving i have "NEVER" been blinded by front fog lights.... am i just very lucky ?:D .... As far as i know, all front fog lights do is light up the peripheral front of the vehicle and point twords the ground, so how would they blind the car in front ? maybe someone can shed some "light" on it for me..... (so sorry for the bad pun........)

oleras

Front fog lights don't necessarily 'blind you' as is the case with say, full beams. However, they add extra 'glare' to oncoming drivers - and god knows, driving is hazardous enough without adding to it!

\m/_(>_<)_\m/

mine are on all the time, saab95. i think all Saab's and Volvo's are on all the time. one has to remove a fuse to turn them off.

oleras

eoin_s wrote:

I do find them blinding - especially on 4x4 or tall vehicles in question. Was a killer when I was in the mini, as it seemed like all fog lights were at my eye line. If their purpose is to pierce through fog, then it stands to reason they shouldn't be used in non foggy conditions.

I dont think there purpose is to pierce through fog ? you may have noticed this yourself the difference between full beams and dipped beams in the fog ? If they were a safety feature like rear fog lights why are they an extra on a lot of cars ? as far as i can tell all they really do is give an extra bit of light off to the left and right, where a pedestrian might be walking....... as i said, i dont see the argument in turning off front fog lights during the day.

oleras

zilog_jones

d4r3n wrote:

I heard something on Today FM that kind of shocked me the other week, the female radio presenter advised people to make sure their fog lights were on as it was raining

One of the Theory Test questions says you can use fog lights in heavy rain, snow and maybe hail too.

Kermitt

The factory fitted front fog lights - that are actually fog lights dont dazzle or blind. After market spotlamps- which generally aren't fog lights do dazzle. I have integrated fog lamps in the headlamp uinit in my Golf - they light up the sides and the area about 15 feet in front of the car. Porblem seems to be after market add ons

Eoin

oleras wrote:

I dont think there purpose is to pierce through fog ? you may have noticed this yourself the difference between full beams and dipped beams in the fog ? If they were a safety feature like rear fog lights why are they an extra on a lot of cars ? as far as i can tell all they really do is give an extra bit of light off to the left and right, where a pedestrian might be walking....... as i said, i dont see the argument in turning off front fog lights during the day.

oleras

Isn't it a known problem that the VRT in Ireland means that a lot of safety features are sold as extras in Ireland?

If all they do is give extra light to the side, then this will still affect oncoming drivers as they are to the side of you.

I think people turn them on because they think it makes the car look cool, rather than any perceived additional safety. It's not a big deal when the bulbs are the ones that emit the yellow type light, but I find the newer "super white" bulbs dazzling.

oleras

eoin_s wrote:

Isn't it a known problem that the VRT in Ireland means that a lot of safety features are sold as extras in Ireland?

If all they do is give extra light to the side, then this will still affect oncoming drivers as they are to the side of you.

I think people turn them on because they think it makes the car look cool, rather than any perceived additional safety. It's not a big deal when the bulbs are the ones that emit the yellow type light, but I find the newer "super white" bulbs dazzling.

once again.... i have never been dazzled by someone behind me with their front fog lights on, day or night..... what i do find distracting are the xenon bulbs in the rear view mirror, but then again thats why its dipable (if thats even a word) and if your car is high end, it will do this automatically for ya.......:D

Kermitt

Indeed many cars have headlight adjusters - Use them. I find Fiats, particularly Puntos always dazzle me - whatever they have in the light cluster, appears as a spectrum of colours -very distracting on the road.