Evolving driving standards and habits.,

[Richard A Thackeray]

Apologies for dragging this one kicking & screaming into the present day, but it seemed the most appropriate thread;


Undoubtedly the buffoons were also out in yesterdays heavy rain with no lights, or those stupid ‘Daylight Running Lights’ (so no rear-lights for a lot of models)

Imagine the scenario;
- a family member (or you), driving along a motorway
- no lights on, as you can see
- lots of spray
- as you get level with the artic that you’re overtaking, the driver pulls out into lane 2 to overtake
- you’re hidden in the spray

Contact!!, at the very least you both scare yourselves
At worst, there’s a Police Officer doing the job they hate, knocking on your familys door with the worst news they could receive

Lights aren’t just to see with, they’re to help you be seen

Would they play 'Russian Roulette' with a loaded gun??

That's essentially what these idiots do by driving like this!!

BE SAFE, BE SEEN

 

[CXRAndy]

Lights aren’t just to see with, they’re to help you be seen

This is so important. During daylight poor driving conditions, car driving lights are solely for other road users and pedestrians to see a vehicle as early as possible.

 

[antnee]

If like me you don't need reminding of
This (as I drove as part of the.job I did) motorway spray is one of the worst driving conditions! Dipped.headlights. and even rear fog lights should be mandatory.

 

[DRM]

If like me you don't need reminding of
This (as I drove as part of the.job I did) motorway spray is one of the worst driving conditions! Dipped.headlights. and even rear fog lights should be mandatory.

Rear fog lights are an absolute no no, the glare/dazzle from them obliterates brake lights making things even more dangerous, it‘s rain not fog, idiots that put fog lights on when it’s raining are just plain stupid

 

[Jenkins]

I would also argue that given the intensity of current DRLs and headlights, the use of dipped headlights is unnecessary as they produce too much glare to oncoming traffic. Just use the 'sidelights' setting which is DRLs and rear lights these days.

 

[DRM]

What I’ve noticed is steamed up cars, drivers have no clue how to set the heating and vents so it actually demists the glass, drivers who don’t look before pulling out, or indeed at all as they stare fixed straight ahead, don’t plan an overtake because of the above, so all of a sudden are rapidly approaching a slower vehicle so they either pull out without looking or braking, accelerate down a slip road with no thought as to exactly how they intend to join the traffic already there, HGV’s that just pull out without giving a stuff who’s there, as size and weight trumps everything else, it’s a free for all out there

 

[CXRAndy]

Or use aircon to rapidly demist and control humidity within the car on wet/damp days

 

[Alex321]

If like me you don't need reminding of
This (as I drove as part of the.job I did) motorway spray is one of the worst driving conditions! Dipped.headlights. and even rear fog lights should be mandatory.

Rear fog lights should NOT be used in those conditions, and are in fact illegal to use unless visibility is so restricted you can't see more than about 100 yards. (The law doesn't actually specify a distance, just says they can only be used in "conditions of serioulsy restricted visibility" but that is how the courts have interpreted it and what the Highway Code says).
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796
Paragraph 27.
https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/driving-in-adverse-weather-conditions.html

 

[Alex321]

Most modern cars have auto lights (headlights and tail lights) that come on whenever the wipers are activated for more than a few seconds.

 

[Alex321]

I would also argue that given the intensity of current DRLs and headlights, the use of dipped headlights is unnecessary as they produce too much glare to oncoming traffic. Just use the 'sidelights' setting which is DRLs and rear lights these days.

The law requires headlights in conditions of seriously reduced visibility - para 25(1)(b) of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796

 

[Drago]

Rear fog lights are an absolute no no, the glare/dazzle from them obliterates brake lights making things even more dangerous, it‘s rain not fog, idiots that put fog lights on when it’s raining are just plain stupid

Although the highway code advises their use only when visibility is seriously reduced and below 100 metres under the driving in adverse weather condtions (226) section. It doesn't explicitly specify fog. When it gets speficically to fog and the use of fog lights (234) it refers back to 226.

In short if vsibility is serious reduced to 100M or less due to the weather they can be used. If conditions are bad enough to cause glare with fog lamps they're likely bad enough to simply obscure regular lamps. National Highways advises drivers to come off thbe road and wait until things improve if visibility is a serios issue, so if you're troubled by glare then follow their advice. It's never an issue for my (corrected) eyesight..

​

 

[mustang1]

Or use aircon to rapidly demist and control humidity within the car on wet/damp days

Yeah I think people don't use AC enough. Possible reasons could be:
They are concerned the AC has will run out,
It harms fuel economy,
They are ignorant.

 

[Drago]

Yeah I think people don't use AC enough. Possible reasons could be:
They are concerned the AC has will run out,
It harms fuel economy,
They are ignorant.

I'll go with C.

 

[DRM]

Although the highway code advises their use only when visibility is seriously reduced and below 100 metres under the driving in adverse weather condtions (226) section. It doesn't explicitly specify fog. When it gets speficically to fog and the use of fog lights (234) it refers back to 226.

In short if vsibility is serious reduced to 100M or less due to the weather they can be used. If conditions are bad enough to cause glare with fog lamps they're likely bad enough to simply obscure regular lamps. National Highways advises drivers to come off thbe road and wait until things improve if visibility is a serios issue, so if you're troubled by glare then follow their advice. It's never an issue for my (corrected) eyesight..

​

Yet therein lies the issue, visibility is usually well in excess of 700-800 metres, yet still the fog lights go on