the law of common sense
donn - November 23rd, 2011 at 09:43 AM
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. 
Ollie - November 23rd, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Yup s good point donn.
Just this morning I nearly merged onto a silver Mercedes because it was barely visible against the grey backdrop
HappyDaze - November 23rd, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Problem with common sense.......it's not very common.
MISS VDUB - November 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
^ 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.
h - November 23rd, 2011 at 11:47 AM
uncommon sense 
modulus - November 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
I agree.
Indeed, is there any practical reason not to drive with headlights on in daytime all of the time?
donn - November 23rd, 2011 at 04:34 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by modulus
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.
beetleboyjeff - November 23rd, 2011 at 05:15 PM
It is hard to make things foolproof these days, because these days, fools are so bloody ingenius.
MISS VDUB - November 23rd, 2011 at 05:17 PM
... and it's for that reason I never have to worry about being unemployed ever again 
Imac - November 26th, 2011 at 08:39 AM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by modulus
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 - November 26th, 2011 at 10:28 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by modulus
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 
MISS VDUB - November 26th, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Or dim wits who think having your high beams on in the daytime helps more so with visibility! 
bnicho - November 30th, 2011 at 03:22 PM
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.
beetleboyjeff - November 30th, 2011 at 03:25 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by bnicho
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.
vlad01 - November 30th, 2011 at 05:28 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by Imac
| Quote: | Originally
posted by modulus
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.