Dipped head lights question

Jon Frost

Jon Frost

Jon Frost

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Hi,

Its been about 5 years since I passed my test, been driving ever since that day and ~3 year ago I started driving with my dipped headlights on 24/7, day or night.

The reason for doing this is having so many close calls with other road users, who 'didnt see me'.

1) - Legally I assume Im okay doing this?
2) - anyone else do the same (not volvo drivers!)

Ta

J
 
1) - no reason that I can see for it being illegal, as you say, volvos have lights when running anyway.
2) - only used to use dipped when it was dark and till about 1-2am which I'd then use fullbeams.

InvG
 
I do it if it's a bit overcast and gloomy, nothing wrong with it, it helps with third party visibility as you said :)
 
If the weather is overcast and basically dim enough that I don't have trouble seeing, but other people might have trouble seeing me, I switch on sidelights.

Switch to headlights if its heavy rain or dark enough that I have trouble seeing the road ahead.

Main beam goes on whenever there's no other traffic around and Im on an unlit road.

It's not illegal to use headlights all the time. Most motorbikes do so they can bee seen easier.
 
Side lights are for being seen Headlights are for seeing.

Veiling luminance (glare) from headlight may make you stand out but it increasingly makes cyclists, peds etc hard to spot - it also overwhelms the light from you indicators.

Most people have this bind spot for the setting between off and headlights. IIRC somebody who drove round with their headlights on all the time (i.e. without adapting to the circumstances) got done for for dazzling somebody and causing a crash.
 
Bomag said:
Most people have this bind spot for the setting between off and headlights. IIRC somebody who drove round with their headlights on all the time (i.e. without adapting to the circumstances) got done for for dazzling somebody and causing a crash.
Click to expand...

Ok valid points, where is your data to back up your last comment please?

Thanks
 
Have my lights on all the time, as you say helps people to see you. Also a habit that I have picked up from the motorbike which is even worse for people looking straight through you.
 
I always put the sides on when i'm towing the boat. Makes sure people see the trailer (Not that it isn't hard to miss!) but also shows them that the lightboard works.

If it's remotely murky i stick the sides on too. Better safe than sorry.
 
I stick them on as soon as it starts to lose the light or in bad weather. There is no problem leaving them on all the time, but on a warm, clear summers day you will look like a noob ;)
 
I have mine on all the time. Helps you stand out just a tiny bit more which could prevent an accident from even happening at all.

Probably costs me a few quid a year though in petrol.
 
go on as soon as it gets a bit dull/overcast, very rarely use sidelights, its either dipped or none, full beams dont go on till theres no street lighting and theres not a car in sight.
 
It's a pet peeve all these people going around with dipped lights on as opposed to sidelights when it's clear and visible. It's a distraction I find as you tend to get dazzled in daylight by dipped lights, well...that's what I find.

I've always thought that:

- Sidelights are for when you want to be seen but you can see fine.
- Dipped lights are for when you require light to be able to see.
- Main beam for night when no cars are in front or coming towards you.
 
I always drive round with my side-lights on.. simply because in a lower light they look nifty on the Mini imo :)
 
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