EU Coms & Daytime lights

leaskovski · 27 Oct 2008 at 10:39

Ignoring the rest of the speil to do with bikes....

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/artic...motor-vehicles-19081?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRGENNEWS

The proposed legislation would require all new vehicles to be equipped with lamps which automatically switch on when they move forwards, whatever the time of day.

It would apply to all new cars and small vans from 2011 and larger vehicles, such as lorries and buses, from 2012.

heh, Volvo dont have to do much then!

Ex-RoNiN · 27 Oct 2008 at 10:48

Research in scandinavia revealed that having the lights on at all times reduced accidents by 30%...

bullit in head · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:05

only have one problem with lights on all the time.... I'll be lost/missed when on the bike,
amazing how many people dont see you with lights on, imagine what it'll be like if every one is the same, I'll blend in.

bullit

englishpremier · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:07

In most of europe you must have lights on all the time anyway and most new bikes have this so its not an issue

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:17

bullit in head said:
I'll blend in

True, but I'm sure you'll t-cut out just as easily.

englishpremier said:
In most of europe you must have lights on all the time anyway and most new bikes have this so its not an issue

It's illegal to use daytime running lights in France, which is a pain in the bum for Volvo owners (and presumably motorcyclists as well).

Begbie · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:30

Great idea, driving about the other day and the weather was seriously crap. Of course it was daytime so half the muppets never put their lights on - meaning it was even harder to see anything.

Conscript · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:45

Begbie said:
Great idea, driving about the other day and the weather was seriously crap. Of course it was daytime so half the muppets never put their lights on - meaning it was even harder to see anything.

I noticed that the other day. Not dark enough that seeing was a problem, but put the sidelights on so at least I was easier to see to others.

MikeHunt79 · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:55

[DOD]Asprilla;12778267 said:
It's illegal to use daytime running lights in France

Why on earth is that? :confused:

[DOD]Asprilla · 27 Oct 2008 at 15:04

MikeHunt79 said:
Why on earth is that?

I think it's just to be contrary and to allow Gendarmes to shrug gallicly whilst writing you a ticket.

englishpremier · 27 Oct 2008 at 15:44

I didn't realise that about France, I spent most of my time in Eastern Europe.

When on my bike I did have the lights on in the daytime when going through France, I also had earphones on which I've now found out isn't allowed in France either. - oh dear.

Begbie · 27 Oct 2008 at 16:45

englishpremier said:
I didn't realise that about France, I spent most of my time in Eastern Europe.

When on my bike I did have the lights on in the daytime when going through France, I also had earphones on which I've now found out isn't allowed in France either. - oh dear.

Is having earphones on even legal here?

DannyDan · 27 Oct 2008 at 16:59

I recently went to Poland and found daytime running lights made it far easier to spot moving cars, both as a driver and a pedestrian. Hopefully it'll become law here too.

lordrobs · 27 Oct 2008 at 20:10

This time of year I have my lights on 90% of the time as its either dark or the sun is so low that those without lights on (most of the driving public it would seem) are almost invisible.

I'd happily have my lights on all the time if required.

Dunks · 27 Oct 2008 at 20:12

Begbie said:
Is having earphones on even legal here?

Don't think it's illegal, but it's generally not the best of ideas anyway

SB118 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:11

At least "automatic on" lights will cut down on the cars that just jump out from roadside parking spaces. If the lights are on, you'll know they're running and about to do something blindingly stupid (like most road users

)

jr1104 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:22

It should definitely be compulsory. Driving a Volvo means I feel much safer knowing people can see where I am, even if it is too dark to see the car.

It works best at that level of light where it is only just getting dark, but dark coloured cars on dim corners start to become very hard to see. This just removes the danger from situations like that.

Django x2 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:31

Not such a big deal. I dive into a little menu on my iDrive and choose Daytime Running lights. Nice

Burnsy2023 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:40

[quote='[DOD]It's illegal to use daytime running lights in France, which is a pain in the bum for Volvo owners (and presumably motorcyclists as well).[/quote]

I'm sure this isn't true.

Django x2 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:48

Burnsy2023 said:
I'm sure this isn't true.

It is true. France had a law against DRLs but its subsequently been reversed. Can't think when that was but a few years ago at least.

Burnsy2023 · 27 Oct 2008 at 22:51

Lucero said:
It is true. France had a law against DRLs but its subsequently been reversed. Can't think when that was but a few years ago at least.

So it is true as it's no longer illegal to use DSL (DRL) in France?

Edit:

The AA said:
Lights: Dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime visibility. It is highly recommended by
the French Government that 4+-wheeled vehicles use dipped headlights day and night (already
compulsory for motorcycles).