More cars driving at night with their lights off

[wazzuFreddo]

I've noticed the high beam yahoos as well.

880 is not high beam territory.

 

[auntiebling]

Makes it easier to spot impaired drivers.

A Mt view leo mentioned this ages ago when I was in the traffic department at shoreline. We used to try to get people to turn their lights on (because directing cars after a show with a gazillion pedestrians wasn't exciting enough), some.of my coworkers were personally offended if not successful.... antway, I stopped bothering. There was enough ambient light with the portable flood light towers and street lights. If lights off tipped off the LEO'S to a DUI, I was happy to say nothing

 

[SFSV650]

Cellphone backlight is all the illumination some drivers need.

 

[bojangle]

A Mt view leo mentioned this ages ago when I was in the traffic department at shoreline. We used to try to get people to turn their lights on (because directing cars after a show with a gazillion pedestrians wasn't exciting enough), some.of my coworkers were personally offended if not successful.... antway, I stopped bothering. There was enough ambient light with the portable flood light towers and street lights. If lights off tipped off the LEO'S to a DUI, I was happy to say nothing

Just got a lights off DUI arrest last night. Happens a lot. That one was an older truck. It had nothing to do with lighted dashes or daytime running lights.

Lights off is one of those things I rarely issue cites for, but almost always stop.

 

[Cycle61]

Doesn't help that some manufacturers have it set up to ever the headlights are automatically on but not the tail lights. Im actually wondering when the dot is going to request manufacturers to build all their vehicles to where your head and tail lights auto come on now matter the conditions. People are obviously too dumb to figure this out on their own.

This is really the part that infuriates me. What engineer decided and sold the idea that "headlights on, dashboard lights on, taillights OFF" was an acceptable mode of operation. EVER. That guy is, IMO, personally responsible for probably dozens or hundreds of automotive deaths.

My work truck has automatic headlights. I painted over the sensor on the dash, they're always on now.

 

[bruceflinch]

Wondered why people are always flashing their brights at me!

 

[bergmen]

This is really the part that infuriates me. What engineer decided and sold the idea that "headlights on, dashboard lights on, taillights OFF" was an acceptable mode of operation. EVER. That guy is, IMO, personally responsible for probably dozens or hundreds of automotive deaths.

My work truck has automatic headlights. I painted over the sensor on the dash, they're always on now.

This is what mystifies me as well. Why didn't the DOT or NHTSA mandate safe lighting conditions at all times on all vehicles?

Thanks goodness motorcycles are not included in this.

Dan

 

[JesasaurusRex]

This is really the part that infuriates me. What engineer decided and sold the idea that "headlights on, dashboard lights on, taillights OFF" was an acceptable mode of operation. EVER. That guy is, IMO, personally responsible for probably dozens or hundreds of automotive deaths.

My work truck has automatic headlights. I painted over the sensor on the dash, they're always on now.

My guess was that in the ultimate search for mpg they thought it'd be better so the alt doesn't have to work as hard. Could be wrong obviously

 

[louemc]

Makes it easier to spot impaired drivers.

I wish there were MORE CHP out on hwy 4 between Copperopolis and Murphys... They have a calming down influence on the insane speedy's.

And with the tight twisty, with blind corners and ups and downs in the highway, It's damn risky out there...

Toss in the impaired (could be mentally impaired) drivers, and,,,

Well, I'm just thankful, to have Motorcycle (dirt + pavement) history.

 

[nakedape]

Makes it easier to spot impaired drivers.

Makes it easy to PULL OVER impaired drivers

 

[Holeshot]

Doesn't help that some manufacturers have it set up to ever the headlights are automatically on but not the tail lights. Im actually wondering when the dot is going to request manufacturers to build all their vehicles to where your head and tail lights auto come on now matter the conditions. People are obviously too dumb to figure this out on their own.

Me too. In the most regulated industry in the world, Id' think they'd have legislated auto headlights on all vehicles.

 

[bojangle]

This is really the part that infuriates me. What engineer decided and sold the idea that "headlights on, dashboard lights on, taillights OFF" was an acceptable mode of operation. EVER. That guy is, IMO, personally responsible for probably dozens or hundreds of automotive deaths.

My work truck has automatic headlights. I painted over the sensor on the dash, they're always on now.

There is no setting like that. Daytime running lights are not the same as headlights. They are different lights and they are dimmer. I do understand how that setup can make it easier for people to not realize their lights are actually off at night, though. But there technically is no setting like that. It's just one of the unintended consequences that create more danger, in an effort to make things safer.

 

[Cycle61]

There is no setting like that. Daytime running lights are not the same as headlights. They are different lights and they are dimmer. I do understand how that setup can make it easier for people to not realize their lights are actually off at night, though. But there technically is no setting like that. It's just one of the unintended consequences that create more danger, in an effort to make things safer.

Allow me to correct my terminology.

DRL's are forward-facing white lights that shine onto the roadway and things in front of the car. I was imprecise in saying headlight.

Better?

Dashoboard on, DRL's on and taillights off is FUCKING IDIOTIC AND HAS KILLED PEOPLE.

 

[Holeshot]

Allow me to correct my terminology.

DRL's are forward-facing white lights that shine onto the roadway and things in front of the car. I was imprecise in saying headlight.

Better?

Dashoboard on, DRL's on and taillights off is FUCKING IDIOTIC AND HAS KILLED PEOPLE.

They should just mandate automatic headlights because people are so stupid.

 

[bojangle]

They should just mandate automatic headlights because people are so stupid.

That's how we end up with lowest common denominator nanny state laws.

 

[amazighlol]

Mostly prius though.

To save energy.

 

[Cycle61]

I'm not necessarily in favor of mandatory automatic headlights.

But if I'm in the drivers seat and the dashboard is lit up, there damn well better be lights on outside, front and rear.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

That's how we end up with lowest common denominator nanny state laws.

Give am option to turn off, but short of going out of your way to turn them off they should be on every time you start your car. I see zero downsides to this from a public safety stand point.

 

[Cycle61]

Give am option to turn off, but short of going out of your way to turn them off they should be on every time you start your car. I see zero downsides to this from a public safety stand point.

I could get behind this.

 

[Holeshot]

Give am option to turn off, but short of going out of your way to turn them off they should be on every time you start your car. I see zero downsides to this from a public safety stand point.

Bingo.