Dipped Headlights during the day

HarryHump

There is an ad on the radio at the moment promoting the use of dipped headlights during daylight hours to increase awareness of other vehicles. I have always done this anyway after living in Sweden for a number of years where it has been the law for years. Why don't they just make it law here too. If it can save a few lives every year surely its worth it, especially if there are no perceived downsides bar having change your bulbs a bit more often.

Lisha

I always drive using dipped headlights . Alwsys amazes me how many people comment on it and ask 'why?'

The Backwards Man

Headlights are a major drain on fuel consumption, like indicators and clean windscreens. Silly idea.

Super-Rush

HarryHump wrote: »

There is an ad on the radio at the moment promoting the use of dipped headlights during daylight hours to increase awareness of other vehicles. I have always done this anyway after living in Sweden for a number of years where it has been the law for years. Why don't they just make it law here too. If it can save a few lives every year surely its worth it, especially if there are no perceived downsides bar having change your bulbs a bit more often.

How would you enforce it?

Sheep Lover

Yeah make it "law", that'll work.

Look at all the people using indicators, roundabouts properly and learner drivers driving with a qualified driver. Works wonders.

biko

It'll wear out the bulbs. I can't go buying new bulbs every two/three years.

filbert the fox

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Headlights are a major drain on fuel consumption, like indicators and clean windscreens. Silly idea.

yeh and leaving the engine running going down hill, ridiculous!:eek:

Buona Fortuna

And look at all the numptys who drive around with their front fogs on.

SEPT 23 1989

its good for the battery

biko

So, what should I dip my headlights in so they last longer?

Mint Sauce

HarryHump wrote: »

There is an ad on the radio at the moment promoting the use of dipped headlights during daylight hours to increase awareness of other vehicles. I have always done this anyway after living in Sweden for a number of years where it has been the law for years. Why don't they just make it law here too. If it can save a few lives every year surely its worth it, especially if there are no perceived downsides bar having change your bulbs a bit more often.

I'd say making it law here is the way its heading, especially with the introduction of DRLs.

Absolutely shocking that today and others like it, with heavily reduced visability people are thinking I can see where I'm going, no need for lights.

Sheep Lover

Or all the "one eyed monsters" driving around, it's great trying to guess whether the one headlight coming towards you is a scooter or an articulated lorry with a broken headlight.

The One Doctor

biko wrote: »

So, what should I dip my headlights in so they last longer?

Pancake batter.

brevity

Yes for dipped lights, no to fog lights!

BoJack Horseman

As time passes cars with daylight running lights will become more common.

SEPT 23 1989

lamps or lights?

pawrick

Sheep Lover wrote: »

Or all the "one eyed monsters" driving around, it's great trying to guess whether the one headlight coming towards you is a scooter or an articulated lorry with a broken headlight.

recently had the fright of approaching a 4x4 with one light trying to overtake (taking way too long hesitating) a car also with one light at night in the rain on an unlit main road. Didn't know what was happening until I was on top of them as it looked like one vehicle from the distance. I call them cyclops

HarryHump

I don't believe they are a major drain on fuel consumption, I'd say its so small as not to be noticed.

It would be easy to enforce. Gardaí see car with no lights on then stop them and fine them. Once it becomes the culture you will switch them on when you start the car without even thinking about it.

lazybones32

It's up to each driver to be paying full attention to the road so you can see other traffic (cars, bikes, cyclists, pedestrians, animals), so it goes both ways. Is it shocking to expect a car to be driving against you on the opposite side of the road? If it is, you need to stop using roads.

ikeano29

It will be made law or built into all new cars.
They should be turned on in the rain and before it gets dusk

whisky_galore

HarryHump wrote: »

I don't believe they are a major drain on fuel consumption, I'd say its so small as not to be noticed.

It would be easy to enforce. Gardaí see car with no lights on then stop them and fine them. Once it becomes the culture you will switch them on when you start the car without even thinking about it.

They aren't, they work from the battery and the battery charge gets topped up all the time the car engine is running anyway.

I'd be more concerned about twats with fog lights on when there's no fog and those that think the indicator stick is some sort of ornament.

Arsemageddon

Paying a wee bit extra for the fuel used to keep your lights on during the day is money well spent if it stops you getting a truck in the face.

deadybai

If people dont use them at evening time when its after getting dark, they arent going to bother during the day when its bright

paulbok

Super-Rush wrote: »

How would you enforce it?

No enforcement needed, make it compulsory for the manufacturers to make their lights come on dipped when the engine is running.

El Guapo!

whisky_galore wrote: »

They aren't, they work from the battery and the battery charge gets topped up all the time the car engine is running anyway.

Technically not true. They are, of course, powered by the battery but having them switched on does affect fuel consumption.

topper75

All cars should have sirens and beep when they reverse!

No?

Same logic like.

The Backwards Man

El Guapo! wrote: »

Technically not true. They are, of course, powered by the battery but having them switched on does affect fuel consumption.

Much like having a magic tree hanging from the rear view mirror, or not having a wee before you leave the house.:)

Areyouwell

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Headlights are a major drain on fuel consumption, like indicators and clean windscreens. Silly idea.

Appropriate username.

Tokyo

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Much like having a magic tree hanging from the rear view mirror, or not having a wee before you leave the house.:)

Huh? Running electrical items creates a higher draw on the alternator which in turn puts a slightly heavier load on the engine. A small load of course, but not completely insignificant.

catallus

paulbok wrote: »

No enforcement needed, make it compulsory for the manufacturers to make their lights come on dipped when the engine is running.

New models have this, I think.

Sunnyisland

Always drive with my dips on,making sure the beams are aimed to there lowest level.

HamsterFace

It already is law in Mayo

The Backwards Man

mike_ie wrote: »

Huh? Running electrical items creates a higher draw on the alternator which in turn puts a slightly heavier load on the engine. A small load of course, but not completely insignificant.

Yeah, as would a 2g air freshener or a full bladder, but unless your car is dong 100mpg+ on a non stop trip to the moon it's not going to be very noticeable.

Bpmull

There would be no real need to make it law that you need to have dipped lights on all the time if people could use there lights probably. You'd swear it was rocket science if it's a nice sunny clear bright day you don't need them on. If it dull, dark, raining, foggy, really busy built up area or if vision is anyway impaired you should have your dips on. As simple as the above is so many irish people can't grasp the concept. So I think since people just can't understand how to use them it should be just made law for everyone to have dips on all he time thus simplifying the whole thing for those who can't understand the concept of using lights.

The_Valeyard

Ahh great......more laws. Probably want penalty points with it.

foxy farmer

What about side lights( parkers) and front fog lights?

Tail Docker

I drive around with my full beams on, day or night. People love it, they wave, flash and beep to show their appreciation. This should be made compulsory, no way anyone would miss you if everyone did this.

Cookie_Monster

It's just extra light pollution and extra fuel burnt for little or no overall gain.

Don't Chute!

http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Vehicle%20Std%20Leg/Consultations/Daytime%20Running%20Lights%20Consultation.pdf

I use them all the time its not about seeing its about being seen. Fuel consumption? surely minimal. Cost of bulbs? about 2/3€. Light pollution? Lol.

dmc17

Every morning I meet people with no lights on and it's still fairly dark. This morning 1 particular car was behind me with parking lights on (just the one though cause the other was blown!) Sure they may as well have had a feckin candle lighting on the dashboard.

Another phenomenon I've noticed with newer cars is that you can have front lights on or the rear lights on independently. What's the deal with this? I'm not sure the manufacturers really thought this one through.

topper75

black and amber wrote: »

Light pollution? Lol.

Yeah we need to f*ck that nature b*tch up some more.
*does Beavis laugh*

Tazio

The year was 1994. I was driving Cork to Dublin.. (Remember the pre war.. Sorry pre motorway years??).

I pulled into a petol station to buy petrol and some old lad tells me I was driving during daylight hours with my lights on and said "..you mind your ESB now!"... Brilliant!

Actually flashback.. Remember when petrol stations sold petrol, oil, bulbs and filters only. The diesel pump was way off in some corner of the forecourt.. Ah them were the days.. Ha ha..

hairyprincess

I met quite a few cars yesterday morning and lorries, come to think of it, with no lights at all on and it was foggy. People give out about fog lights being on when there is no fog, I don't get that. I'd rather see them on all the time than not on when they should be!

yipeeeee

The amount of people driving on the m50, today with no lights on in torrential rain.

The mind boggles.

hairyprincess

I met quite a few cars yesterday morning and lorries, come to think of it, with no lights at all on and it was foggy. People give out about fog lights being on when there is no fog, I don't get that. I'd rather see them on all the time than not on when they should be!

hairyprincess

I met quite a few cars yesterday morning and lorries, come to think of it, with no lights at all on and it was foggy. People give out about fog lights being on when there is no fog, I don't get that. I'd rather see them on all the time than not on when they should be!

The ones that piss me are those who insist on driving with sideparking lights on, they think that they're visible, but quite often the bicycle lights are brighter!

The daftest ones are those with newer cars that have DLR's but they switch the parking lights on and the DLR's operate in dim mode! So fúcking stupid and defeats the object of having them in the first place! :rolleyes:

wotswattage

All it takes is one dope to not see you and pull out into your path over the course of your entire driving career. Could be 50+ years!
I think it's just as important to have dipped beams on a bright sunny day where glare may be an issue.

paulbok

paulbok wrote: »

No enforcement needed, make it compulsory for the manufacturers to make their lights come on dipped when the engine is running.

New cars have DLR's that come on when the engine is running already, what they need to do is remove the "sidelight" position from the switch.

ted1

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Headlights are a major tdrain on fuel consumption, like indicators and clean windscreens. Silly idea.

It has being proven to safe lives, nothing silly about it

mad muffin

ted1 wrote: »

It has being proven to safe lives, nothing silly about it

Look, I don't want to be that guy… no… I won't be that guy!