Turn Your Lights On!

[Nashida]

I almost forgot about this one.

Side note: I'm taking a summer course at another college which involves a commute to Worcester twice a week.

Thursday the weather was nasty. Cloudy, rainy...just messy. I'm on my way to class around 8:45 that morning. And it never failed: every couple of minutes I'd pass by a car that was either the same shade of gray as the clouds or the road, and they didn't have their headlights on. I'd notice they were on the same road as me only when they passed me on the shoulder with a loud honk.

I'm sorry, but I CAN'T SEE YOU. You blend in perfectly, Karma Chameleon. In foggy, rainy weather, you're about as easy to see as uber-tiny fine print.

Honestly, I can't see why in weather like that people think lights are optional, especially in grey/black cars. That's the quickest way to turn yourself into a steaming metal pretzel. I keep Pregger's headlights on whenever necessary, and she's baby blue.

[BookstoreEscapee]

My dad totaled his brand new van because of an idiot like that. I was in 7th grade, my brother was a freshman in high school. When we were in HS, my parents dropped us off in the morning, because we all left at the same time and the school is about a minute away. They would swing in the half-circle drive in the front of the school, drop us off, and go out the other end and head to work.

So this day my dad drops off my brother as usual. It's November, about 7:30am, raining, and foggy. My dad goes to pull out of the drive onto the highway, and there is a black pickup truck coming down the road. Only he has no lights on and my dad doesn't see him. So my dad ends up pulling out right into the side of the truck. He was driving a Chevy Astrovan, which has a short front end, which means everything under the hood got crunched.

This is also before the "windshield wipers on, lights on" law went into effect. So my dad was the one who got the ticket because he didn't have the right of way.

[edible_hat]

There is (or was, the rate he was going) a biker out there who is very lucky that I replaced the brakes on my car when I did. No lights, dark clothing, at night, in the rain, he turns in front of me. Slamming on my new brakes, I stopped less than a foot from him. The idiot gave me the finger.

[mattm04]

There is (or was, the rate he was going) a biker out there who is very lucky that I replaced the brakes on my car when I did. No lights, dark clothing, at night, in the rain, he turns in front of me. Slamming on my new brakes, I stopped less than a foot from him. The idiot gave me the finger.

Their used to be a few like that in my area, dark clothes no lights minimal reflectors AND they would ride in the middle of the travel lane like a car. Finally the cops caught them. They we both kinda hippies and were trying to stick it to the man. One had a warrant and went to jail the other gave a false name and DOB and went for that. It is very rare that you see those two now.

[blas]

People around here who still have cars that the driver turns the headlights on, they don't seem to want to turn them on until it's pitch black outside.

Now I understand why most newer cars come with automatic lights.

[Nashida]

Now I understand why most newer cars come with automatic lights.

Couldn't that be bad for the battery in a strange sense? A few people around here have them, but it's like they're set on a timer so as soon as it's 6:00 pm (or whatever the timer is set to), the lights come on. Which is all well and dandy in the cooler months when it's black around 4, but like right now when the sun stays out until almost 9 pm I'd imagine it would be wasteful. I've also seen cars that still have their lights on in broad daylight at high noon, so I'm not sure if that's the automatic lights or just driver wtf-ness.

[MapGirl]

I drive with my headlights on at all times. The daytime running lights don't turn on any of the tail lights, and I want to be visible from behind. I also drive in shady places: lots of trees, bridges, overpasses, buildings that provide shade, etc., and frequently my long commute (150km/day) will take me through sunset.

Or, call it a habit I picked up from my driving instructor years ago. ;)

[Kiwi]

all of the cars in BC have to have running lights, the are like a low setting for the lights (about half the light as turning your headlights on)

even in NZ I believe most cars have lights at the back that are always partly on

[blas]

It shouldn't do any damage to the battery so long as the car is running while the headlights are on.

For the heavy night driving I do, if that were the case, I'd be replacing my battery every 6 months.

Now, if those headlights were on while the engine was off, then yes, that would suck the life right out of the battery and that's a big no no.

I don't know if it's a timer or a sensor....my dad's old car, his 99 Intrigue, the headlights would come on any time it was cloudy or even partially dark.

There must be a law in Minnesota about headlights always being on. Every single person with a Minnesota license plate around here always has their lights on no matter what time of day it is or any kind of weather.

[Arm]

My take on lights is, if you want to run your running lights during the day, that's cool. Helping people know you're there is what running lights are FOR. And if people don't have all their lights on in fog, rain, or darkness.... they're just asking to get hit. So many drivers around here like to give brake tests by scooting around in the rain at unsafe speeds with no lights on- whether doing 45 on a 35 in the middle of town, or 35 in a 65 zone on the highway... And the sad thing is, I *know* those drivers on the highway are going, "Gosh it's hard to see now, I better slow down! If only I had some device I could activate that would make it easier to see things in this weather!"

I do hate people who drive with their HEADlights on even during clear conditions, though. Blinding me does not help me avoid squashing you like steely paste... Around here we have lots of hilly turns; if I'm coming around a turn and there's someone going the other way pointing their lights up into my eyes it REALLY doesn't help me make sure I've cut the corner the right amount.

[EricKei]

I do hate people who drive with their HEADlights on even during clear conditions, though. Blinding me does not help me avoid squashing you like steely paste... .I don't have a problem with normal headlights, but it does really annoy me when they either: (a) flip their brights on within city limits (which is illegal here, I believe)...or, (b) use those thrice-damned "blue halogen" headlamps. I was under the impression that those things got outlawed *really*quickly, due to the fact that they seem to shine with the blazing light of a thousand suns. I don't think cars can come factory-equipped with them anymore, tho I think cars can have them "grandfathered in".

[LewisLegion]

I drive with my headlights on all day. Honestly, when its bright sunlight out my headlights on isn't going to blind anyone. It's not like I'm going around with the high beams on.

I turn them on whenever I get in my car. I made it a habit on purpose so that I would never forget to turn them on in incliment weather.

[Arm]

I don't have a problem with normal headlights, but it does really annoy me when they either: (a) flip their brights on within city limits (which is illegal here, I believe)...or, (b) use those thrice-damned "blue halogen" headlamps. I was under the impression that those things got outlawed *really*quickly, due to the fact that they seem to shine with the blazing light of a thousand suns. I don't think cars can come facotry-equipped with them anymore, tho I think cars can have them "grandfathered in".

oh, GOD I hate the blue lights. I hate them SO much... they are ridiculous- they don't appear to provide illumination as well as normal lights, but they are painful beyond belief to look at.

Lewis-
Don't really know what to tell you, there. Obviously, being on the receiving end of that, I happen to disagree.

[ArcticChicken]

I've also seen cars that still have their lights on in broad daylight at high noon, so I'm not sure if that's the automatic lights or just driver wtf-ness.

I've heard of studies that show that, even during the day, having your lights on makes you easier to see.

The other day I was getting a ride someplace from my cousin. It was raining pretty good, and we passed a driver without his headlights on, so my cousin flashed the brights at him. He actually turned his lights on!! :jawdrop:


Also, I have Santana's "Put Your Lights On" stuck in my head.

[hecubus]

Around my town, you see a lot of people who don't have their lights on when they should. Including the police.

One time, just after sunset, my dad saw a police car driving with no headlights on. When he got home, he called the police department and talked to the sheriff. The sheriff said to my dad, "All of our officers follow the regulation; they have their headlights on a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise.

The only problem with that is, in Wisconsin, the law says headlights are to be on from a half hour before sunset until a half hour after sunrise.

When the sheriff doesn't know the law, what hopE is there for anyone else?

[Geek King]

The only problem with that is, in Wisconsin, the law says headlights are to be on from a half hour before sunset until a half hour after sunrise.

When the sheriff doesn't know the law, what hopE is there for anyone else?

I would double check that. It would make sense to write it that way, but in Ohio it is written the exact way that is quoted by the sheriff's office. Lights are legally to be on from a half hour after sunset til a half hour before sunrise, and in certain weather conditions.

Last Minute note: I got some gumption based on boredom today and looked it up real quick. Looking at Item (23) from the Wisconson definition of terms (Chapter 340) listed here (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0340.pdf), 'hours of darkness' is defined as the office of the sheriff stated: A half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise.

[Andara Bledin]

My take on lights is, if you want to run your running lights during the day, that's cool.
<< snippage>>
I do hate people who drive with their HEADlights on even during clear conditions, though.
Around here, driving with only your running lights on is a ticketable offense. I couldn't tell you why, just that you can get ticketed for it.

And properly adjusted headlights are seriously unlikely to cause most people any problems, even in the dark of night. The vast majority of all headlights are grievously misadjusted.

I remember a friend commenting that in the case of SUVs, they adjust the headlights before they set up the suspension, meaning that the lights are set for a vehicle the height of a sedan, and not one the height of an SUV.

May favorite headlight story takes place many moons ago on Memorial Day weekend, heading north on the 15. The time is just after sunset.

I'm in my mother's car, heading to visit relatives, and her speedometer doesn't work. I'm using traffic and random mile markers to gauge my general speed. I figure I'm doing about 80mph (the speed limit back then was still 55) and I glance over to notice that I'm being passed by a CHP officer. A couple miles down the road, I see the officer with a car pulled over. Not only had that car been going faster than me (they had passed me earlier), but the only reason I had noticed the car in the first place was because the idiots didn't have their lights on, yet, and it was nearly too dark to see them without.

Last Minute note: I got some gumption based on boredom today and looked it up real quick. Looking at Item (23) from the Wisconson definision of terms (Chapter 340) listed here (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0340.pdf), 'hours of darkness' is defined as the office of the sheriff stated: A half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise.
You know, that's pretty stupid, actually.

Isn't twilight, the time just before sunset, one of the most dangerous times to drive due to visibility issues caused by fading light levels?

^-.-^

[hecubus]

I would double check that. It would make sense to write it that way, but in Ohio it is written the exact way that is quoted by the sheriff's office. Lights are legally to be on from a half hour after sunset til a half hour before sunrise, and in certain weather conditions.

Last Minute note: I got some gumption based on boredom today and looked it up real quick. Looking at Item (23) from the Wisconson definision of terms (Chapter 340) listed here (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0340.pdf), 'hours of darkness' is defined as the office of the sheriff stated: A half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise.

Okay. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[EricKei]

You know, that's pretty stupid, actually.

Isn't twilight, the time just before sunset, one of the most dangerous times to drive due to visibility issues caused by fading light levels?

^-.-^
I would think so, too...Especially given that waaaay too many people don't fell the need to have any lights on at all during those times, even if it's still rather dark out.

[Geek King]

You know, that's pretty stupid, actually.

Isn't twilight, the time just before sunset, one of the most dangerous times to drive due to visibility issues caused by fading light levels?

^-.-^

I agree that it doesn't make the most sense, but it is the letter of the law. It sounded good to someone when they voted on it. :shrug:

[blas]

Must control the urge to bitch about people who think that their brights substitute for their regular headlights and that it's perfectly ok to drive around with their brights on in the middle of residential and commercial areas where other vehicles are around at night?!

Ugh, people who don't dim their lights when someone is coming.

People who are so damn paranoid or scared that anytime after dark, they have their brights on.....driving all over town with their brights on.....

[Geek King]

People who are so damn paranoid or scared that anytime after dark, they have their brights on.....driving all over town with their brights on.....

Perhaps they fear being eaten by grues. :D

[EricKei]

People who are so damn paranoid or scared that anytime after dark, they have their brights on.....driving all over town with their brights on.....That's actually illegal here. You can't have your brights on at all within city limits unless you're on the interstate. Granted, it's never ever ever enforced, but it's still on the books.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Perhaps they fear being eaten by grues. :D

I doubt grues would dare to eat them. They'd probably develop indigestion.:p

[Geek King]

I doubt grues would dare to eat them. They'd probably develop indigestion.:p

Ah, but the grues don't know until its too late. Its dark, after all. :lol:

[BookstoreEscapee]

A few people around here have them, but it's like they're set on a timer so as soon as it's 6:00 pm (or whatever the timer is set to), the lights come on.

My last car had a light sensor in the dashboard. When it got dark enough, the lights came on. If it was dark when you started the car they came on as soon as you took it out of park.

(b) use those thrice-damned "blue halogen" headlamps.

After the accident that totaled my last car, I went to the other driver's court date (just wanted to see what happened to him). We were there for a while before his case was called. Probably half of the cases we saw were for illegal window tinting, or illegal lights. Poor bailiff kept having to go outside to verify that the idiots had removed the illegal items from the car.

[HYHYBT]

You don't get twilight while the sun is in the sky. Only between dawn and sunrise and between sunset and dusk.

[AlleyCat]

Sounds like you guys need vehicles like 1995ish and newer Canadian vehicles, Low Beams always on when in not in PARK position.

[mattm04]

My 02 Chevy SUV has a sensor in the middle of the dash to automatically turn on the headlights, but also has DRLs. I know some GM models (notibally Cadillac) let you disable the auto headlights via a switch which I kind of like for certain situations.

[mharbourgirl]

I like the way my MIL's car is set up. 2004 Mazda 3, it has daytime running lights, and a neat little quirk: The dash lights will not come on unless you turn the headlights on. So you can't see the dash if it's dark.

I wish ALL cars came with this 'feature'. You have to be pretty damn stubborn to drive with no console lights AT ALL.