One of my pet hates in the world of driving is now being actively encouraged

NIMAN

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

colm_mcm

I'm all for lights on in the daytime.

I know eircom started doing it years so and incidents dropped by something like 30%

CiniO

If you don't think lights during daytime might be useful, it means you have very little experience driving.

TheBody

I hate the gits who drive at night with their parking lights on!!

MagicMarker

My lights are on all the time.

I've never been "blinded", even by full beams, during the day.

Supergurrier

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

More visability = win win

Pulling out of a junction on an overcast day you might miss a car if you only look once, you will never miss a car with lights on

Blazer

Let me see..it's darker later in the morning, and darker earlier in the evening and with the crap overcast weather we're having I think it's a brilliant suggestion.
Drive on a motorway about 12-4pm in the daytime, pick a wet and raining overcast day,and see how many morons are driving with no lights whatsoever...and how hard it is to see them.
It's bad enough at 12pm in the daytime but come 4pm when it's starting to get dark you have to wonder what kind of idiots are allowed drive at all....
Are you one of those Ops? Thinking your parking lights will do you fine till around 9pm?

Nissan doctor

The benefits of having your lights on in daytime are obvious.

It could just as easily be argued that if headlights blind you in the daytime then you shouldn't be on the road either.

Redisle

I always have my lights on too. I don't see how you could be blinded during the day since your pupils will be adjusted for daylight.

Uriel.

Much prefer the lights on during the day. I find it is easier to judge distance of oncoming cars If you are planning on overtaking on single lane carriage ways etc.

Also i find mostly people are more aware of my presence when over taking or just being in the lane beside them

alias no.9

DRL's all the way

allinthehead

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

never had daytime lights blind me. better visibility of other motors can only be a good thing

Bigcheeze

Am I right in thinking that Volvo lights are permanently on....or is that just in Sweden?

Anyway it's proven to reduce accidents....but it also increases fuel burn and therefore, adds to co2 emissions.......so basically a horrible moral dilemma OP!

Flier

It's the law in lots of european countries. Probably because its safer. Maybe you're photosensitive - you should go and see your doctor about that

Jordan537

i think your mental if you dont think lights on in the day is not good?

Some european countries its a legal requirement to travel with lights on, the main reason being that you can see a car so much easier with lights on than you can't.

the most dangerous colour car to own is green as its the eyes most natural colour and therefore harder for you to see, if this green car was coming towards you, you would see it alot easier if it had its lights on. would it not?

lights are there for safety, not just for night time, however, most people think that is what there their for.

volvo's you cant even turn the lights off!

tayto lover

TheBody wrote: »

I hate the gits who drive at night with their parking lights on!!

Not as bad as the lads who have to blind you first with their full lights before they dip.

Supergurrier

Bigcheeze wrote: »

but it also increases fuel burn and therefore, adds to co2 emissions.......so basically a horrible moral dilemma OP!

Ahh cmon now...:pac:

qz

I've my dipped lights on during the day too. It's not going to hurt. Sorry about your sensitive eyes.

Nissan doctor

Its also the reason that DRL's are now mandatory on all new cars, so that the possibility of the driver forgetting or choosing not to turn on their lights is removed.

colm_mcm

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Its also the reason that DRL's are now mandatory on all new cars, so that the possibility of the driver forgetting or choosing not to turn on their lights is removed.

Unfortunate consequence of that is that people don't bother switching on their actual lights at night, just use DRLs. Seen loads of avensiss like that.
They should make the rears come on too but some manufacturers don't, I'd assume its just software,

meoklmrk91

I used to think the exact same way as the OP, THEN I started driving, I naturally turn my lights on the minute I get into the car out of habit now, given how crappy our Irish weather is it can often be so overcast that its dark enough that we need the heads, I've never been blinded. Most people do it and I often see people lighting up when they see I have mine on, why would you want to make yourself more difficult to see, it's so much safer IMHO.

Bigcheeze

TheBody wrote: »

I hate the gits who drive at night with their parking lights on!!

And I hate those on the M1 in heavy fog last Sunday with no lights on but more the clowns belting along at 120+ with about 50 yards of visibility. It's amazing the false confidence that trailing the rear lights of the car in front gives people who had zero chance of stopping in any pileup ahead.

loggedoff

Lights on in winter during daytime is a good idea.
Forbidden topic removed

dar83

Bigcheeze wrote: »

...but it also increases fuel burn and therefore, adds to co2 emissions.......so basically a horrible moral dilemma OP!

Yes, I lose sleep over this especially. I'm very environmentally aware and increasing my fuel burn and CO2 output is of ever increasing importance to me! Having my lights on is a constant struggle I deal with daily.

CiniO

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

Also light help a lot to judge distance and speed of oncoming cars (f.e. when overtaking).

Imagine you are overtaking someone at 100km/h. Assume overtaking takes 10 seconds. If there is car coming from the opposite side also at 100km/h your relative speed will be 200km/h.
200km/h for 10 seconds is over half a kilometre.

So before starting this overtaking manouver you must make sure there is nothing coming within half a kilometre.
It's much easier to achieve it, when oncoming cars have lights on.

Redisle

Instead of DRL's they should just make dipped lights come on automatically when a car is started. They should also enforce the use of parking lights only to when a car is parked!

I always want to flash my lights at people driving at dusk with side lights but I know they would have no clue why I'm flashing them as they have no idea what they are doing wrong!

NIMAN

Jez time to close this thread, I'm taking a hammering.

Anyway, I'm driving nearly 20 years and never hit anyone, or come close to it, cos they didn't have their lights on. Those that are hitting people in daylight maybe need to look a bit more closely or take more care. Sure lets have flashing lights on the roofs too, you would never miss that.

And I'm not mental either.

TheChizler

Jordan537 wrote: »

the most dangerous colour car to own is green as its the eyes most natural colour and therefore harder for you to see, if this green car was coming towards you, you would see it alot easier if it had its lights on. would it not?

It's actually the other way round, our eyes are usually most sensitive to green! Depends on the lighting intensity. Agree with the sentiment though.

Neewbie_noob

TheBody wrote: »

I hate the gits who drive at night with their parking lights on!!

If you don't know the difference between parking lights, dipped head, full head and fog lights you should lose your license.

bazzachazza

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

If you see them you won't hit them, if you don't see them well............

Nissan doctor

NIMAN wrote: »

Jez time to close this thread, I'm taking a hammering.

Anyway, I'm driving nearly 20 years and never hit anyone, or come close to it, cos they didn't have their lights on.

And I'm not mental either.

The fact that you've never come close to hitting someone who didn't have their lights on during the day doesn't change the unquestionable fact that cars are easier to see when they have their lights on.

bazzachazza

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

You for real ?

If you see them you won't hit them, if you don't see them well............

NIMAN

By the way, if it was an overcast day or heavy rain I would put my lights on.

My argument is for good visibility days, nice and bright. No need then, imho.

Mr Simpson

colm_mcm wrote: »

Unfortunate consequence of that is that people don't bother switching on their actual lights at night, just use DRLs. Seen loads of avensiss like that.
They should make the rears come on too but some manufacturers don't, I'd assume its just software,

The amount of Garda Avensis' driving found at night without rear lights on because of the DRL's is shocking. Surely its not that hard to set it up so rear lights go on as well

colm_mcm

NIMAN wrote: »

By the way, if it was an overcast day or heavy rain I would put my side lights on.

My argument is for good visibility days, nice and bright. No need then, imho.

Just to clarify, do you mean parking lights or dipped headlights?

Stallingrad

My VW as a default setting has the <snip> on as DRL's, how do you like them apples?

Reloc8

Jordan537 wrote: »

i think your mental if you dont think lights on in the day is not good?

can't...work...out...whether...good...or...not good...sorry...bad

In seriousness I agree. Lights on in the daytime especially during the gloomy months is definitely not not good.

FR.Ted Crilly

Im a fan of the whole lights on thing, iv spent a lot of time in Sweden where i first saw this and yeah its the law, dark winters and brighter summers you still need them on year round, i also drive a volvo and yeah you cant turn them off best you can do is drive around with your parking lights on , (about as silly as driving with your fogs on for the sporty effect) or one more (tinting your fog lights with yellow paint for the sporty effect defeating the purpose of having them) so yeah make it the law it makes sense

Cedrus

I've pretty much always used dipped lights since I started on a bike and bikers need to be visible, and still do now.
But, I'm not in favour of compulsory DRLs because I've been caught out for battery life in the winter, when the short runs I was doing just weren't enough to keep the battery topped up. Being able to turn the lights of during the day was all that kept the battery alive.

Nissan doctor

Cedrus wrote: »

I've pretty much always used dipped lights since I started on a bike and bikers need to be visible, and still do now.
But, I'm not in favour of compulsory DRLs because I've been caught out for battery life in the winter, when the short runs I was doing just weren't enough to keep the battery topped up. Being able to turn the lights of during the day was all that kept the battery alive.

That's why most DRL's are the latest tech LED's so they draw only a tiny amount of power.

djflawless

totally for lights on during the day.even more for it with bikers.to see it any other way is a bit of a tricky area.
speaking of pet hates...
what the fecks the story with so many people not arsed dipping their lights???

Capri86

My lights are automatically permanently on. It's a Volvo so I have no choice. Suits me fine

Matt Simis

NIMAN wrote: »

Jez time to close this thread, I'm taking a hammering.

Anyway, I'm driving nearly 20 years and never hit anyone, or come close to it, cos they didn't have their lights on. Those that are hitting people in daylight maybe need to look a bit more closely or take more care. Sure lets have flashing lights on the roofs too, you would never miss that.

And I'm not mental either.

Wow.. your just not getting it. Having lights on an oncoming car makes its foolproof to tell if that distant object on a windy, wavey country road:

- Is a car at all
- Is heading towards or away from you
- Is moving or stopped


Having your own lights on also increases reaction speed of other drivers as they catch sight of a moving light much faster than a dull lump of metal, when edging out of a driveway onto a road for instance.


This is all common sense, but if you cant understand that, simply accept there is a mountain of statistical evidence that proves without doubt that Daytime Running Lights substantially reduce accidents. You dont have to like it, just do it.

Cedrus wrote: »

I've pretty much always used dipped lights since I started on a bike and bikers need to be visible, and still do now.
But, I'm not in favour of compulsory DRLs because I've been caught out for battery life in the winter, when the short runs I was doing just weren't enough to keep the battery topped up. Being able to turn the lights of during the day was all that kept the battery alive.

Well clearly you need a new battery or alternator. Your Engine produces Kilowatts of power, your alternator provides about 700watts (if not far more) of electrical charging and usage and your lights use about 100watts.
How do you think all the cars sold into the Nordic market for the last 30years manages this?

foxinsox

NIMAN wrote: »

By the way, if it was an overcast day or heavy rain I would put my lights on.

My argument is for good visibility days, nice and bright. No need then, imho.

I learnt to drive in Canada and it was all about lights on.

I can't find a link but I remember being shown videos of cars driving with lights on in sunshine and the difference of visibility as opposed to cars with lights off.

There were also statistics of accidents etc to back this up, of course I haven't got them now, it was years ago.

Visibility is much better with lights on.

Think of a silver car against a crappy Irish sky on a grey ol day!

Lights save lives.... fact*


* made that bit up, but I'd say it's true.

MugMugs

I had a lovely lady stop me to tell me my lights were on after crossing in front of me. Mission accomplished dear!

Cedrus

Nissan doctor wrote: »

That's why most DRL's are the latest tech LED's so they draw only a tiny amount of power.

I'm looking forward to the day when everybody has a car with LEDs, until then I still don't think DRLs should be compulsory.

Capri86 wrote: »

My lights are automatically permanently on. It's a Volvo so I have no choice. Suits me fine

I had a California import bike like that I fitted a kill switch on the headlight circuit Wouldn't have been allowed to in California :rolleyes:

savagecabbages

A man overtook a bus and ploughed straight into the car my mother was driving a few years back. He apparently didn't see her. The stretch of road was lined by trees and with a lowish sun you get that flickering light effect which does make it difficult to see. Still no excuse on his part he was put off the road.

She didn't have her lights on, and maybe he would have seen her if she had. Who knows! Since then we all drive with dipped beams on.

or parks + fogs (i had to blank this out to avoid a ban

Pedro K

I always turn my dipped headlights on. And when I ride my bike I've no choice. When I turn the key the lights come on and I can switch between high and dipped.

I've never been blinded by any lights in the daytime.

Del2005

NIMAN wrote: »

I have always hated people driving around in broad daylight with their lights on, but now there is a radio advert telling people to do it!

It might be slightly more acceptable if there wasn't so many badly balanced and blinding car lights on the roads.

If you need other motorists to put on their lights in daylight to see them better, you should not be on the roads in the 1st place.

Rant over.

+1

tl:dr the remaining posts as I know what most of them are saying.

IMO DRLs are part of the problem of bad driving, not the solution to it.

If you can't see a CAR during normal daylight then it's because you didn't look or your eyesight isn't good enough. I agree with lights on during inclement weather or dusk dawn, but never DRLs

The fact that people need lights to see a car during normal daylight means that the vulnerable road users who don't require lights during the day can't be seen, apart from motorcycles who even with DRLs still aren't visible to motorists. I would laugh at the fact that buses and HGVs use DRLs apart from the fact that motorists obviously aren't paying enough attention to the road to see them

They should make being T-boned like being rear ended, the person pulling out is too blame at all times, then people would pay more attention to whats coming.

conzy

Very hard see silver cars / vans in certain overcast / dull conditions during the day, low beams / DRLs are essential imo

KeRbDoG

With most 2000~2010 VAG cars you can recode them to setup the lighting to the northern Europe standard, very handy so i don't need to keep remembering to turn on/off the lights during day time driving. My Vag-Com adapter, super handy