Daytime running lights.

Nozzer · 14 Nov 2006 at 18:51

Almeda said:
Two insurance cases I saw where the person who had thier side lights on was to blame for the accident because they were deemed a danger to the road if they needed lights in daytime to see where they were going.

I wish it wasnt true, but it is

That's complete tosh. Side lights hardly illuminate the road, even at night, and there's no way it could be proven they were being used to improve visibility. They must have been to blame for driving like twazzocks.

You are Oracle and I claim my £5.

FakeSnake · 14 Nov 2006 at 18:52

I do find that very hard to believe.
Do you have any proof to substantiate such a claim?

Dup · 14 Nov 2006 at 18:52

Almeda said:
Two insurance cases I saw where the person who had thier side lights on was to blame for the accident because they were deemed a danger to the road if they needed lights in daytime to see where they were going.

I wish it wasnt true, but it is

Your eyes can't suddenly simulate night time in a case where you need headlights to see during the day. That's not medically possible. Someones just easily baffled by BS and gave in. I woulda laughed in their face and told them where to shove that concept.

OllyM · 14 Nov 2006 at 18:53

Nozzer said:
You are Oracle and I claim my £5.

Haha, you're not the only one that thinks that.

Ring Peace · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:02

Several places in the US have signs telling you to use your lights, helps with distance perception so I believe.

I really hate the opposite, I hate those that leave putting their lights on as late as possible in a "I am an excellent driver and don't need my lights, you lot are inferior drivers needing artificial illumination" kind of way.

Almeda · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:22

My ex girlfriends brother worked high up in Liver Vic insurance and told me about these when I drove around with my side lights on. I was inclined to believe him. Didnt stop me driving with my sidelights on though as IMO people can see you, especially in a dark car.

I can see where it comes from though. Why have your lights on in broad daylight if for no other reason than to be able to see. If they are on low beam they just blind everyone else but really have no benefit to you.

Conscript · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:25

Nozzer said:
For it.

I always drive about in the Elise with my lights on. It just helps other drivers see you.

Which is why you should be against it. If everyone has their lights on, smaller vehicles like your Elise and motorcycles will lose the advantage to be gained from having their lights on all the time.

Freefaller · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:26

On my bike I always ride with my lights on. Dipped beam only of course.

In my car well it depends on the conditions but I often have my lights on before other people do - of course dipped only.

I see no problem with it it means you are seen more easily - that can only be a good thing. I seldom see cars with their lights on during the day though, and even if all cars have their lights on it would only make them easier to see.

The fact that small cars and bikes have them on still makes them noticeable even if others have theirs on.

Simon · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:27

Having lights on also reduces other drivers abilities to view the speed of cars.

Nozzer · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:28

Conscript said:
Which is why you should be against it. If everyone has their lights on, smaller vehicles like your Elise and motorcycles will lose the advantage to be gained from having their lights on all the time.

I don't see it that way. If anything it just means everyone else will be seen easier too.

Bri · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:30

AcidHell2 said:
against!
if you can't see a car in daylight, then get of the road. Also it's used for bikers, who you can miss in daylight. Having there lights on brings attention. But if everyone has them on it defeats the point.

Exactly my point of view too.

Conscript · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:33

Fair one, Nozzer. But take a look at that pic on the site, it seems a perfect example of a motorcycle losing his visibility advantage because the car behind him is also using lights. Dont get me wrong, I think its just plain common sense to use lights all the time in smaller/lower vehicles, jsut dont think theres a need for everyone to have main beam on all the time. Especially as the government is currently going around telling us how we should all be saving energy.

I can also see why some Nordic countries have this as a rule, but that because they have longer hours of darkness and generally worse weather. Joke all you will about British weather, but it's not that bad.

Sidelights perhaps would be a better option, although the problem is that not all vehicles are equipped with sidelights, AFAIK.

My 2 pence.

James_N · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:33

Always have the lights on in my volvo, but regardless of whether peoples lights are on or off, it doesn't bother me. Anything that can make you more visible (to other cars and pedestrians) can only be a good thing, especially with these dark nights.

Hawk Tuah · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:36

Why would anyone have their lights on in perfect daylight. Just seems utterly pointless.

If its starts pelting it down, or is overcast then I can understand, and I often put my lights on so other drivers can see me, but in perfect daylight its just seems daft.

Lopéz · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:40

Almeda said:
I can see where it comes from though. Why have your lights on in broad daylight if for no other reason than to be able to see.

To be seen. Headlights do not light up anything in the day unless you're sat a few feet behind another car. No matter how bad your eyes are, using your headlights in the day won't help you see any better.

If they are on low beam they just blind everyone else but really have no benefit to you.

Low/dipped beam doesn't blind anyone :confused:

Are you talking about main/high beam?

Conscript · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:42

jonarob said:
Fair enough to these people who drive with their sidelights on in the day, but for the love of god, nothing angers me more than the people who have their driving lights on in broad daylight because the "look cool".

I'm talking about lights in the bumpers, like on the 205GTI and many other cars. They're for really bad lighting conditions, not driving up my arse and blinding me at 3 o clock on a Wednesday.

I hear that. These idiots really wind me up sometimes, especially when they come barreling toward me on a country road, as if they think having front fog lights automatically makes them Colin McRae :mad:

Maz · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:49

I always drive with my lights on, usually because I forgot to switch them off from the night before (they turn off with ignition) or well I just do.

I think it's important for others to see you, and even if you are stationary for example people know there is someone in the car otherwise the lights won't be on.

Almeda · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:51

Lopéz said:
Low/dipped beam doesn't blind anyone Are you talking about main/high beam?

Daylight Xenons hurt

Lopéz · 14 Nov 2006 at 19:53

Almeda said:
Daylight Xenons hurt

Personally, I disagree, but that's a whole new can of worms

DiG · 14 Nov 2006 at 20:04

Lopéz said:
Low/dipped beam doesn't blind anyone Are you talking about main/high beam?

A lot of drivers seem to have main beam on, at night this is, around city roads. I never quite understand if they acually are but a lot of peoples headlights seem to blind me in my mirrors making it impossible to see anything but white!