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 !!


......This reminder especially applies to motorcyclists who are often the hardest roadusers to see on our highways!

babybundy

and in my opinion bikes should drive with full head lights on during the day just to be seen

Steffano2002

babybundy wrote:

and in my opinion bikes should drive with full head lights on during the day just to be seen

Perhaps not, as blinding other road users isn't automatically the safest approach...

I agree with Silvera though, have your dipped headlight on at all times! I know I do...

MunsterCycling

Yes but compulsory (sp?) DRL will mean bikes will be even less visible in the cage haze created by them all driving with lights on.

MC

Saruman

babybundy wrote:

and in my opinion bikes should drive with full head lights on during the day just to be seen

Absolutly not!!.. every time i see a bike coming towards me with high beams on i have to restrain myself so i do not aim for the fecker!!!

Steffano2002

See what I mean babybundy?

murphaph

MunsterCycling wrote:

Yes but compulsory (sp?) DRL will mean bikes will be even less visible in the cage haze created by them all driving with lights on.

MC

Interesting point. Hadn't thought about that. I reckon you're right too. This move may actually increse the risk to bikes and bikers as many of us already light up to be seen more than to see.

MunsterCycling

This has been the stance of MAGIRL for years, maybe Gaybo will be a bit more informed seeing as he bikes himself now and again.

MC

madrab

i have always driven with my lights on, & i would always recommend people to do the same

art

My bike gives me no choice! But I'd have them on always anyway. Totally agree too that full lights is counter-productive though, it's just very annoying to other motorists

Finch-

Ive driven from day 1 with my dipped headlights on. I mean whats the point in not usin em? They're there arent they to be used so other road users can see you? :rolleyes: I also think that high visbilty vests should be made a mandatory when driving a motorbike. Even with one of them on me once, some fella crashed into the back of me, only a nudge like, but still hit me while i was yielding at a roundabout, with my brake lights on, my vest on, and the street light shining down on me :rolleyes: he actually didnt have an excuse when i asked him how the **** he didnt see me?!?!

sutty

I've never driving with mine off. Now the Duc cant have them turned off. Only Dipped or High beam. No park light unless in "park mode".

Billabong

Seen as nobody has mentioned it, I think that this inexpensive gadget is a must for all-weather bikers.
It does exactly what it says on the tin and from personal experience I can spot them from about 3 miles in my rear view mirror in the cage (of course it only seems to be the cops who use them at the moment).
I dont see why they are not legal, and hey, if cagers think your a cop and up their awareness, thats hardly a bad thing. It'll be my first mod to my new bike, just before that power commander whatdyemacallit.

http://www.customdynamics.com/kisan_pathblazer_headlight_modulator.htm

Also I agree with the comments on full beam, thats only making you a target for the cagers you piss off.

madrab

Billabong wrote:

Seen as nobody has mentioned it, I think that this inexpensive gadget is a must for all-weather bikers.
It does exactly what it says on the tin and from personal experience I can spot them from about 3 miles in my rear view mirror in the cage (of course it only seems to be the cops who use them at the moment).
I dont see why they are not legal, and hey, if cagers think your a cop and up their awareness, thats hardly a bad thing. It'll be my first mod to my new bike, just before that power commander whatdyemacallit.

http://www.customdynamics.com/kisan_pathblazer_headlight_modulator.htm

Also I agree with the comments on full beam, thats only making you a target for the cagers you piss off.

i dont know a guy that drives a white pan european with reflectors on it, with full leathers & a reflective sash who has one of those

i repeat i dont know a guy....

Hotblack Desiato

Billabong wrote:

I dont see why they are not legal, and hey, if cagers think your a cop and up their awareness, thats hardly a bad thing.

Depends where you're riding - seriously!

Also when they realise they just moved aside for someone only pretending to be a cop, they could get annoyed and block you, possibly causing an accident.

Also I agree with the comments on full beam, thats only making you a target for the cagers you piss off.

Modulators are at least as annoying and ignorant imho as using full beam in daylight.

saobh_ie

Finch- wrote:

I also think that high visbilty vests should be made a mandatory when driving a motorbike.

God no... That's a real we should wear high vis jackets because its our own fault we can't be seen deal. You yourself have been hit from behind while wearing a high vis, I was horsed out of it while wearing a high vis. Those jackets only make you more visible if somebodys looking at you.

And then prossibly, the yellow ones just make you look like a builder standing at the side of the road... not quickly approaching the car thats trying to pull out into the road.

And never mind the US Military did a bunch of studies in the eighties and were able to hide tanks and stuff by using lights. Against a light background, you throw on your headlight, it actually makes you harder to see. Probaly rubbish but it worked for them.

Apparently those busy bightly coloured leathers also serve to break up your outline so your not recognisable as a motorcyclist. Not that they're looking for motorcyclists anyway.

I personally go for dirty big solid black leather jacket, solid red lid and dipped headlight (no choice on the last). Had I a choice on the headlight I would run with the dipped light, as if anything happens it looks good on the insurance form. "I had a dipped light on and a brightly coloured helmet, and still she/he didn't see me."