Rant of the day, turn on your headlights.

[/pine]

I am sure that is true, but headlights need to come on not because you cannot see, but to be seen by others, many who may have very poor vision. Even in the twighlight hours between full daylight and full darkness, many people's vision degrades considerably. Of course the "no lights folks" are not thinking in those terms. I guess that is pretty much what you said.

Education and "enlightenment" is the key...Most states post signs about seat belt laws...maybe they should include a 'lights on when...' caveat on the same signs...I think many drivers only wear seat belts to avoid getting ticketed...

 

[Cub 7274]

Most new vehicles have an option to turn lights on when wipers are in use a good feature
One good thing about Canada is the Daytime Running Lights mandatory since 1990 or so

 

[mikehaugen]

I drive my car 99.8% of the time, and it has drl, it also has automatic headlights (so the tail-lights and instrument panel light up). It is nice, but I gotta say I get pretty used to it so when I jump in my truck it isn't as habitual as it used to be. Turning them on usually isn't the issue, as I can tell when the instrument cluster gets hard to read, but it is pretty easy to forget to turn them off!

 

[Redneck in training]

So, are you guys saying that I should replace my missing headlight?

It all depends on how big is you vehicle. If it is big you don't need to do it.

 

[DT86]

It all depends on how big is you vehicle. If it is big you don't need to do it.

Reminds me of a Driver's Ed class I took in High School. The instructor asked "If three vehicles approach a four way stop at the same time who would have the right of way?" Immediately some good ol' boy near the back yells out "Who ever's got da biggest truck!"

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I always drive with my lights on, regardless of what kind of vehicle I'm using on the road.
One of the greatest causes of accidents is the other driver didn't see you.
Smart and still living pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists know this.
Turn off the phone. Buckle the seatbelt. Adjust the mirrors. Start your engine. Then turn the lights on. And drive like you expect the other drivers to be out to get you (because they are.) A little paranoia goes a long way. Been driving for 40 years and no accidents.

(Except that one time I was backing out of a parking slot, turned too quickly and ripped the right front quarter panel off against one of those big dumpsters in the next slot. But I hit it, it didn't hit me.:laughing

 

[bcp]

(Except that one time I was backing out of a parking slot, turned too quickly and ripped the right front quarter panel off against one of those big dumpsters in the next slot. But I hit it, it didn't hit me.:laughing

Dumpster's fault. No lights or reflectors.

Bruce

 

[3930dave]

Yes, I have never understood why the tail lights are not made to come on with the DRL's.

My 1989 Volvo was designed this way.

CAFE and customers complaining about burned out light bulbs are probably the 2 main reasons it's not done more often. That and companies want to offer automatic lighting as a "premium" feature, so they keep it off lesser model vehicles.

DRL - most any ones I'm familiar with have a light pattern that is pretty easy to distiguish from a normal headlight pattern, so you have to be an extra "special" driver to not realize at night what is going on..... kinda like the snoozers behind the wheel being discussed .....

LEDs are changing things, for the better. Power use is minimal, so they are a great choice for DRL, and I won't be surprised if some show up as pilot/corner markers in Always On factory lighting - would address some of the problems listed, while burning negligible power.

Rgds, D.