Do you have your dipped lights on all the time?

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Says I already voted on this poll when I didn't, whats the about?

I'm surprised by the results, are people mixing up DRLs, parking lights and dipped/low beams?

A huge majority of people on the road drive with no lights on during the day, yet this poll shows the complete opposite, even taking the fact that it's a Motoring forum into account.

I drive with parking lights on all the time. That's one click to the right, angel eyes on the front, tail lights at the back.

Why no low beams for me? I have a big, dark coloured car and there's no need. Xenon bulbs are expensive. No point annoying other drivers going over speed bumps etc. And I use parking lights.

That's because it's a poll of people who are interested in driving/cars etc. so it's always going to be biased as most people who have an interest know it's safer to be seen and doing anything that reduces risk is good.

The wife's company car the lights are always on, I'm driving it while she is on maternity leave and she is driving the family car which has DRL's with auto function but I find it needs more intervention to switch them on when it's duller during a rain shower etc.

The auto function also doesn't know when it's foggy it just sees it's bright. So yeah I turn on the lights for that and see plenty of cars with DRLs driving with only them on when it's foggy.

Personally I think the law should be changed to a lights on law and the government to legally require car company's to change the functionality of the light system so that lights can't be manually turned off when the ignition is on.

I have seen plenty of Volvo drivers with their lights off while driving, that takes a conscious decision to turn off a safety device.

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Says I already voted on this poll when I didn't, whats the about?

I'm surprised by the results, are people mixing up DRLs, parking lights and dipped/low beams?

A huge majority of people on the road drive with no lights on during the day, yet this poll shows the complete opposite, even taking the fact that it's a Motoring forum into account.

I drive with parking lights on all the time. That's one click to the right, angel eyes on the front, tail lights at the back.

Why no low beams for me? I have a big, dark coloured car and there's no need. Xenon bulbs are expensive. No point annoying other drivers going over speed bumps etc. And I use parking lights.

Using parking lights (side light) during the day during good weather is completely pointless.
They don't make your car any more visible to others.

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

This coming from your ample research and expertise, yeah?

My own research - but generally yes.
I was astonished after I moved to Ireland how many people drive with side lights at daytime, evening, rain, etc.. Never seen it anywhere else and couldn't really understand a point. Still don't.

So generally - at daytime, no matter if it's clear sunny weather or very poor day with fog and rain, when you drive on open road, there is a certain distance from which you can see car approaching. You can see that car, but at that stage you can't tell if the car has got it's side light on or off. Obviously at that stage you also can't tell what make or colour it is. You just see the contour of the car.
Then when it approached closer, you start to see colour, and eventually you might be able to recognise a make, and about the same time, you will probably see if the car has it's side lights on of off.
But this is already half the distance from which you saw the car initially - which makes those side lights absolutely pointless then.

Situation is bit different at dusk or dawn or in complete darkness, as then sidelights might help you see car approaching earlier, then comparing to situation where that car would have no lights. But lets face it - that are conditions (darkness, dusk) that people should use dipped lights, not side light.

So it's not scientific.
It's just simple observation that anyone can do, that show that usage of sidelights at daytime is absolutely pointless.

The thing that I can not understand is why people do it?
Are they saving electricity or what? If they are turning lights on (f.e. because of rain) why don't they turn normal dipped headlight - not just useless sidelights.
Sidelights use half the amount of electricity that dipped headlight use. That's really not that much of a difference.

Also worth nothing, that is many countries where it's illegal to use sidelights when driving. They are reserved for parking only.

Voodoomelon wrote: »

You are aware that parking lights on the rear of a BMW are the same as having the taillights on? Because they are the taillights on. And there's 10W angel eyes on both sides on the front which are plenty visible, as anyone who passes a modern BMW will know.

I suppose names "side lights" and "parking lights" are interchangable.
Sure - some cars have stronger one, some weaker.
But generally they are not visible during the day, either in good or bad weather. They can only be seen way after approaching vehicle is visible for a good while.

I'm as visible as any other car with lights on is. Xenons are bad enough blinding people at night going over ramps, bumps and hills, even with self leveling. I see no reason to have them running during daylight as well unnecessarily. They're also adaptive so they constantly move when they're on, pointless during the day and pointless wear.

I agree fully.
That's why people with Xenon lights, if they want to use lights at daytime, should install DRLs.

joujoujou wrote: »

Speaking about being seen...

Foggy morning, can you see a car 200 metres ahead? Two white(ish) dots...


Yes, you can!

================

Wait a minute, wtf? :eek:



"Why would I waste my prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrecious bulbs, I can see the road before me. And I save fuel! 0.01mpg!"

Perfect example of idiocy.
Driving without lights in such conditions is crazy, yet very popular in Ireland...

Jesus. wrote: »

Didn't see this poll.

I'm dead against this nonsense. You put your lights on when its dull or dark, otherwise its just plain stupid.

Luckily not everyone are of the same opinion

You have to have them on in Sweden, and NT in aus, other parts of aus not sure on but i dont think so, it also helps when they have them on as driver fatguie is a big problem up there when u see a car coming towrads you with no lights takes to re act, but when they are on and there coming towards you, you re act quicker, due to driver fatguie and zoning out, as NT is about the size of France and Italy and room to spare, then there is 40 + heat but, they have no speed limits, an advisory speed of 130 but when the shoot past you at higher speeds it really wakes you up

CiniO wrote: »

Perfect example of idiocy.
Driving without lights in such conditions is crazy, yet very popular in Ireland...

I don't think anyone on this thread has tried to justify not having their lights on in such conditions. There simply is no justification.

I have my lights on front and back whether the vehicle has Day Time Running Lights or not.

When on a bycycle I would use lights during the day also so as to stand out that little bit more.

It has been proven using lights day/night saves lives.

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would take a guess you aren't a professional driver.

Wrong guess. I am.

The numerous vehicles I drive some have DRLs and some don't.

In order for the front lights to work as you know the rear lights also come on, but with the DRLs you can opt on some to switch to side light mode where the front lights stay as bright but the rear lights will come on also.

I find people driving at all hours of the night in darkness without lights or especially really old drivers who can't see a thing in front with the side lights on which are not very effective been only 5 watt. These combined with cyclists or pedestrians on the road with or without reflective gear useless. If they have lights it gives them a better chance.

The Irish weather is so unpredictable where one minute it's all sunny the next it's dull and raining so I do believe lights on does save lives and help others judge your speed better giving you better presence on the road.

I agree with every word here.
But as you see above, I've written about something completely different.
1. Usage of rear tail lights during bright day.
2. Obligatory usage of DRLs/dipped lights at daytime and effect it causes.