LED running lights

Rilot · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:06

Has anyone else without LED running lights started driving with headlamps on during the day?
I've started to become concerned that with the proliferation of these bright running lights that many drivers are starting to look for the lights rather than the car. Eventually, people driving without lights on will just "disappear" to the casual observer.
I'm wondering if we're likely to get a new law any time soon that mandates dipped beams or running lights at all times.

mw8t · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:15

I've always driven with sides on during the day but turn them off in bright sunshine.

All these johnny-come-latelys with their led running lights :rolleyes:

Conscript · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:17

Rilot said:
I'm wondering if we're likely to get a new law any time soon that mandates dipped beams or running lights at all times.

I actually hope so. The amount of people I see showing no lights at all when the weather is bad, or it's getting dark but you can still see, is amazing. People who think that because they can see the end of their bonnet, that there's no need to put any lights on at all.

At the very least I'd like to see all be cars designed so that the rear lights are always illuminated. Why they don't come on with DRLs, I don't know.

Howard · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:29

I usually put my dipped beams on when it's at least a bit dim and cloudy.

rodenal · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:39

I'm the same, the auto lights in the fiesta are actually very good at coming on in heavy rain or when it gets a bit dull but the Honda needs it to be quite dim before they turn on so I tend to just switch on the slightest drizzle etc

dekez · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:39

I've always put mine on in anything other than bright sunny weather. When I learnt to ride a motorbike we were taught to always put your lights on. I'm pretty sure there are a few countries where it's the law.

Firestar_3x · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:40

When i had the MX-5 i always had my dipped beams on, i found without them people would fail to spot the car sometimes.

ianh · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:49

Auto-Lights - when did car manufacturers realise people are too thick to turn their lights on when it gets dark? The same thought for Auto-Wipers too!

My car has both and neither are left in Auto because (shockingly) I'm able to pay attention when I drive and not let the car make every single decision for me while I day-dream or text away

ShiWarrior · 24 Sep 2015 at 21:59

Conscript said:
I actually hope so. The amount of people I see showing no lights at all when the weather is bad, or it's getting dark but you can still see, is amazing. People who think that because they can see the end of their bonnet, that there's no need to put any lights on at all.

At the very least I'd like to see all be cars designed so that the rear lights are always illuminated. Why they don't come on with DRLs, I don't know.

I couldn't agree with you more

Also, I want to add to this, I think if there's low light (first thing in the morning is a good example) I put lights on, because its hard to see on coming cars when your driving into the sun, so by putting lights on, we can see you better

and why.. are people converting Fog lights to DRL's ..

Kenai · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:04

I usually put mine on, generally always have. Don't really remember why I started doing it in the first place.

Hyburnate · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:07

As soon as it goes to dusk the sidelights come on, and as soon as it rains (more than a sprinkle) the dipped beams come on.

chrislusty · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:09

ShiWarrior said:
I couldn't agree with you more

and why.. are people converting Fog lights to DRL's ..

Presumably for the same reason the OP and yourself drive with dipped beam on during the day.

ShiWarrior · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:14

chrislusty said:
Presumably for the same reason the OP and yourself drive with dipped beam on during the day.

I actually don't put dipped beams on during the day, unless the light drops like its going to rain then I will

rodenal · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:30

ianh said:
Auto-Lights - when did car manufacturers realise people are too thick to turn their lights on when it gets dark? The same thought for Auto-Wipers too!

My car has both and neither are left in Auto because (shockingly) I'm able to pay attention when I drive and not let the car make every single decision for me while I day-dream or text away

I'm the opposite - if the car has some sort of built in aid that actually works then I'm happy to let it do it's thing. Auto wipers for example, I never touch them. Auto lights if they actually work as intended then i'm happy to mostly leave them alone etc.

It's when people rely on them that the real problem occurs

snapdragon69 · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:37

My headlights come on when dark enough, after the wipers have been on for 10 wipes, and over 80mph (highway lights). I enjoy observing the cause and effect. It is not about being lazy, it is about enjoying technology in action. I find it satisfying like a warm towel that someone puts on a radiator while you are in the shower.

Wucked · 24 Sep 2015 at 22:42

I set my lights to auto, so they only come on in low light conditions. I really don't get these LED lights. They're to bright, they're more of a distraction than anything else. If you're to blind or stupid to see a car in broad daylight then you have no business being anywhere near a road without adult supervision.

TheVoice · 24 Sep 2015 at 23:09

I mostly do these days, largely for the same reasons as in the OP. Whether or not they're actually effective in making me more visible is hard to judge, as I seem to have people pulling out in front of me or not seeing me whether I have lights on or not. Still, it's one thing in my favour if something were to happen.

ianh said:
Auto-Lights - when did car manufacturers realise people are too thick to turn their lights on when it gets dark? The same thought for Auto-Wipers too!

My car has both and neither are left in Auto because (shockingly) I'm able to pay attention when I drive and not let the car make every single decision for me while I day-dream or text away

Auto-lights are a bit pointless other than purely a convenience factor, but auto wipers are great as they adjust to the amount of rain and will immediately clear the windscreen if a passing truck splashes up water or something.

Django x2 · 24 Sep 2015 at 23:10

What's worse is the number of cars (new) I've come up behind in dim (or even completely dark) light with no lights on at the rear, but these tiny LED strips at the front (DRL). They are obviously being told that they don't need to worry about turning their lights on / off as they are automatic. Surely these people must think their lights are still not that bright when driving. Why can't the default DRL be all sidelights (front and rear) instead of just front

[TW]Fox · 25 Sep 2015 at 04:00

ianh said:
Auto-Lights - when did car manufacturers realise people are too thick to turn their lights on when it gets dark? The same thought for Auto-Wipers too!

Having just driven thousands of miles in a car without auto wipers I dont understand how anyone can be against them. For me anything but is a massive pain and it was a continual source of irritation. Its nothing to do with being able to tell its raining - you have to turn most systems on manually the first time it rains anyway - but all to do with variable wiper speeds to suit the amount of water to clear.

They are invaluable.

Have auto lights too and wouldn't mind if I didn't.

DannagE · 25 Sep 2015 at 04:08

Rilot said:
Eventually, people driving without lights on will just "disappear" to the casual observer.

Some people are so oblivious to what's going on around them that they don't even see blue flashing lights on emergency vehicles. DRL's are not the problem, its peoples awareness or lack of giving a toss.