the law of common sense

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 23 Nov 2011, 9:43 am

#873739

This a plea for common sense on the road.
In Newcastle and the Hunter area today (and probably much of the state of NSW) it's raining, visibility on the roads is poor, yet I still see people driving their vehicles without the lights on. I have just arrived home from a short trip in the wench to the shops, because I am very aware of the problem I keep a very concious eye out for vehicles appearing out of the gloom but it realy came to my notice when a 4x4 traveling behind me turned on his indicator to turn , I wasn't even aware that there was a car behind me till I saw the orange light flashing!. Cars that are the hardest to see are the silver and grey colours that are so popular the last few years, lighter blues aren't far behind and I suspect the wench falls into this catagory.
Please drive with lights on, at least the parkers, though some of these you would be better off with a candle they are so ineffective, I know there's no law that says you must drive with lights on, unless you consider the law of stupidity against good sense, but even if the car that runs into you is in the legal right you still have a damaged car at the least and phisical injury or death at the worst. 🙁

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

Ollie Yeah Buddy

840 posts · joined Oct 2009 · 23 Nov 2011, 10:37 am

#873748

Yup s good point donn.

Just this morning I nearly merged onto a silver Mercedes because it was barely visible against the grey backdrop

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HappyDaze Superannuated

2,887 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 23 Nov 2011, 11:15 am

#873756

Problem with common sense.......it's not very common.

I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 23 Nov 2011, 11:23 am

#873758

^ Exactly!

It's called driving to conditions, just because it says 60kmph doesn't mean it's feasible to be doing that in wet weather especially if visibility is effected.

The issue with a down pour after a dry spell is the oil slicks that are now present on the road from the oil build up now being washed over the roads. Also there is the fact that i'm sure not everyone has a fantastic set of tread on all four tyres of their car. Wet weather, speed, oil and poor tread is a recipe for an accident (especially in a rear engine mounted vehicle).

Please be vigilant, and treat everyone else on the road as if they are idiots who can't drive. Pays to be parranoid and not get complacent.

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

h fractals - an ever changing lifestyle

7,671 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 23 Nov 2011, 11:47 am

#873766

uncommon sense 🤪

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modulus Veteran Volks Folk

2,009 posts · joined Jul 2003 · 23 Nov 2011, 11:50 am

#873769

I agree.

Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?

Peter Hill
1975 Type 2 Double Cab
modulus.com.au

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 23 Nov 2011, 4:34 pm

#873812

modulus wrote:I agree.

Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?

Not that i can see, even the wench has lights that come on automaticaly when the ignition is turned on (providing the switch for the lights is at the on position) they turn off when the ignition is turned off so no danger of accidently leaving them on. Forester the same.

I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 23 Nov 2011, 5:15 pm

#873822

It is hard to make things foolproof these days, because these days, fools are so bloody ingenius.

From your ole' mate Jeff

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 23 Nov 2011, 5:17 pm

#873823

... and it's for that reason I never have to worry about being unemployed ever again 😉

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

Imac Commited Dubber

67 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 26 Nov 2011, 8:39 am

#874295

modulus wrote:I agree.

Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?

Well actually, here we go don't shot me down to much because I agree and I do turn my lights on in poor visibility, but many years ago there was an interactive display at the powerhouse museum (it was called something else back then) where you looked into a box and flicked a few switches and it gave you different light scenarios, and the one that I remember most was at dusk with the oncoming cars headlights on as well as yours, you totally lost the ability to see the man and his dog crossing the road if front of you. Don't forget that there are other hazards on the roads apart from other vehicles. A few years ago the bureaucrats decided to make it compulsory to wire the headlights to the ignition on new motorcycles but it was found that cars were pulling straight out in front of bikes with twin headlights because the average dumb ass car driver assumed it was a car 500mtrs down the road.

ratty 63 Custom Title Time!

1,083 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 26 Nov 2011, 10:28 pm

#874405

modulus wrote:I agree.

Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?

I always have - ever since I have had a licence. I remember reading an article in a motoring magazine (can't remember which one) that had done some research into visibility of vehicle colours in various weather conditions and they claimed that light blue and light green were amongst the hardest colours to see in any weather condition.... I had two cars at the time, anyone want to take a guess what colours they were?

They also claimed that by driving with your lights on you increased your visibility to other road users by (I think) between 8 to 16 percent depending on vehicle colour and weather conditions.

I consider that if I can increase my visibility to other road users even as little as 1% then I have improved my chances of making it home at the end of the day.

I really like the system that many of the modern cars have fitted as standard - my company car is a Getz and the lights turn on and off with the ignition... I have had the car since December 2008 and I have never turned the headlight switch off!

Of course, headlights don't stop accidents with people who are not paying attention....

R 🙂

40hp, 6V and ...er... slowly making improvements 😂

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

Founding member of the Gold Coast Dub Club Inc. 🙂

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 26 Nov 2011, 10:38 pm

#874408

Or dim wits who think having your high beams on in the daytime helps more so with visibility! 👎

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 30 Nov 2011, 3:22 pm

#875031

My Beetle's lights go off when the ignition is switched off (if they are switched on). I always assumed that was standard on a Superbug, but it may have been a previous owner mod.

Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

beetleboyjeff Custom Title Time!

1,790 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 30 Nov 2011, 3:25 pm

#875032

bnicho wrote:My Beetle's lights go off when the ignition is switched off (if they are switched on). I always assumed that was standard on a Superbug, but it may have been a previous owner mod.

They are supposed to go to park lights, not right off. VERY handy feature.

From your ole' mate Jeff

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 · 30 Nov 2011, 5:28 pm

#875046

Imac wrote:
modulus wrote:I agree.

Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?
Well actually, here we go don't shot me down to much because I agree and I do turn my lights on in poor visibility, but many years ago there was an interactive display at the powerhouse museum (it was called something else back then) where you looked into a box and flicked a few switches and it gave you different light scenarios, and the one that I remember most was at dusk with the oncoming cars headlights on as well as yours, you totally lost the ability to see the man and his dog crossing the road if front of you. Don't forget that there are other hazards on the roads apart from other vehicles. A few years ago the bureaucrats decided to make it compulsory to wire the headlights to the ignition on new motorcycles but it was found that cars were pulling straight out in front of bikes with twin headlights because the average dumb ass car driver assumed it was a car 500mtrs down the road.

you have an excellent point. I actually find it annoying and difficult to drive dawn/dusk and twilight with peoples headlights on. it totally drowns out everything else and makes it hard to see where you are going.

I don't turn my lights on until absolutely necessary for the fear of dazzling other drivers coming towards me or when I am behind them.

using the parker lights is a good idea though as it is what I do in dim conditions.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE