Failing to light up ~ backlit dials and 'day running' lights
Discussion
Other than if you can talk to them while stationery at traffic lights, anyone got any suggestions on how to inform people their lights are not on? Flashing headlights or hazards only seem to inflict utter confusion. At slower speeds I sometimes point out my side window at the front of their car
I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
Leins said:
Other than if you can talk to them while stationery at traffic lights, anyone got any suggestions on how to inform people their lights are not on? Flashing headlights or hazards only seem to inflict utter confusion. At slower speeds I sometimes point out my side window at the front of their car
I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
Again, in the Jag, if the lights are in the off position, and it gets dark, a message pops up on the dash to inform you that the lights are off.I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
fatboy b said:
Again, in the Jag, if the lights are in the off position, and it gets dark, a message pops up on the dash to inform you that the lights are off.
Why does that sound like heath robinson trying t osolve a problem that neednt exist 
If there was a tiny wire so your dash lights came on when your headlights were on, you'd know straight away what was what and what to do.
Message pops up on the dash lol
My 2006 Astras dials are lit all the time. Turning the lights on lights up the centre console and radio controls. Also a green light symbol come on the dash when the sidelights are switched on. I haven't driven off without lights (yet!) but can see how it could be easily done. It is the drivers responsibility to turn their lights on but I don't understand why manufacturers have gone the way of lit dials when the ignition is on. A dark speedo was always a sign in the past you had forgotten to do something!
DRLs certainly haven't improved the situation. If DRLs are really all about safety and visibility, the car headlights and tail lights should just come on with the ignition like they do on bikes. Instead manufacturers think DRLs have to be fancy LED nonsense with garish light designs on the front of their cars which seem more like a fashion accessory than a safety device.
DRLs certainly haven't improved the situation. If DRLs are really all about safety and visibility, the car headlights and tail lights should just come on with the ignition like they do on bikes. Instead manufacturers think DRLs have to be fancy LED nonsense with garish light designs on the front of their cars which seem more like a fashion accessory than a safety device.
saaby93 said:
fatboy b said:
Again, in the Jag, if the lights are in the off position, and it gets dark, a message pops up on the dash to inform you that the lights are off.
Why does that sound like heath robinson trying t osolve a problem that neednt exist If there was a tiny wire so your dash lights came on when your headlights were on, you'd know straight away what was what and what to do.
Message pops up on the dash lol
Leins said:
Other than if you can talk to them while stationery at traffic lights, anyone got any suggestions on how to inform people their lights are not on? Flashing headlights or hazards only seem to inflict utter confusion. At slower speeds I sometimes point out my side window at the front of their car
I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
I flashed my headlights at a little sweetheart driving a black Ford Kak in the dark with no lights on and was rewarded with "the finger". I'd feel sorry for anyone who didn't see them and pulled out of a junction into their path, as I can't imagine many would own up to the fact afterwards
I wasn't far from my house and after I'd parked up I walked back up the road to find her shouting and swearing at some poor guy who'd pulled out in front of her because he didn't see her. Lucky she'd stopped in time but I couldn't resist pointing out that although the other driver may not have been as clever as her, he did know where his light switch was.
It is a big problem! Many modern cars light the dials in this way - with or without DRLs being fitted - and it can be very dangerous. While on the whole I see DRLs as a very good thing, in this instance I can see how they contribute. On one hand it could be argued that they're better than having no lights on, but on the other its possible the driver would think they had their lights on if they saw some light coming off their DRLs.
I guess the solution is fitting automatic lights to all new cars, which can only be a good thing. The number of people you see driving through tunnels etc. with no lights on is astonishing.
I guess the solution is fitting automatic lights to all new cars, which can only be a good thing. The number of people you see driving through tunnels etc. with no lights on is astonishing.
I'm all for legislating that headlights should be on at all times.
It's not just darkness that's the problem; it's knowing when to use headlights during the day. In the early morning I commute westwards with the sun rising right in my mirrors, so anyone with their lights off behind me is invisible. Reverse situation on the evening commute.
At the least, I wish DRLs would illuminate the tail lights too. Do that, get rid of bothering with sidelights, ensure dials are only illuminated with headlights and that would be a big step towards improving the situation.
It's not just darkness that's the problem; it's knowing when to use headlights during the day. In the early morning I commute westwards with the sun rising right in my mirrors, so anyone with their lights off behind me is invisible. Reverse situation on the evening commute.
At the least, I wish DRLs would illuminate the tail lights too. Do that, get rid of bothering with sidelights, ensure dials are only illuminated with headlights and that would be a big step towards improving the situation.
I've never owned a car or bike that hasn't informed me if the lights are on or off by virtue of the headlight indicator light on the dash! How is it so difficult for some people to simply look at their dashboard and immediately know if their lights are on or off?
It has nothing at all to do with the car having/not having DRL's or anything else, it is pure driver error.
It has nothing at all to do with the car having/not having DRL's or anything else, it is pure driver error.
Conscript said:
At the least, I wish DRLs would illuminate the tail lights too.
AFAIK American DRLs do. When I had my 57 plate passat, I could set different modes for the DRLs using VCDS (VAG-COM).Off - no DRLs at all
Europe - Only front side lights switched on with ignition
USA - All side lights on (front and rear) with ignition.
I don't see why we can't do the same.
Separate to this I could also set it to use the indicators instead of sides at the front as amber marker lights. Although I feel this would be way too confusing for the average british road user.
JordanTurbo said:
AFAIK American DRLs do. When I had my 57 plate passat, I could set different modes for the DRLs using VCDS (VAG-COM).
Off - no DRLs at all
Europe - Only front side lights switched on with ignition
USA - All side lights on (front and rear) with ignition.
I don't see why we can't do the same.
Separate to this I could also set it to use the indicators instead of sides at the front as amber marker lights. Although I feel this would be way too confusing for the average british road user.
Amber corner markers are dangerous (in the short term anyway) when the 5 series first came out with amber markers in the UK my brother had cars pulling out in front of him on main roads thinking he was turning left (a result of a quick glance right from the side road seeing amber and thinking indicator is on). As mentioned elsewhere in the string those developing cars seem to have no link to those setting legislation (this is not restricted to the motor industry).Off - no DRLs at all
Europe - Only front side lights switched on with ignition
USA - All side lights on (front and rear) with ignition.
I don't see why we can't do the same.
Separate to this I could also set it to use the indicators instead of sides at the front as amber marker lights. Although I feel this would be way too confusing for the average british road user.
Coming back to London along the M40 last night at around 6, some mouthbreather was in Lane 3 behind me with just sidelights on. Backed way off when I flashed my rear fog and lights on/off. Quick move into L2 to let him past quickly solved the problem. I'm glad I have to share the roads with these people...
Auto lights are not the answer to this problem either.
Manufactuers need to go back to leaving something on the dash dark to alert these numpties that their lights are off. Or force daylight rear running lights aswell and front ones.
The reason I say auto lights isnt the answer? Next time its daylight and foggy see how many people have no lights on! these daylight sensors cant tell if its foggy or not if theres plenty of light about, meaning these numpties fail to turn their lights on at all.
Theres a section of road I drive along daily that when it gets foggy, it really gets foggy and lmost everytime that happens theres at least one utter fool in a grey/silver car with no lights on at the rear at all until they brake for the roundabout which is after a good mile of straight road.
Manufactuers need to go back to leaving something on the dash dark to alert these numpties that their lights are off. Or force daylight rear running lights aswell and front ones.
The reason I say auto lights isnt the answer? Next time its daylight and foggy see how many people have no lights on! these daylight sensors cant tell if its foggy or not if theres plenty of light about, meaning these numpties fail to turn their lights on at all.
Theres a section of road I drive along daily that when it gets foggy, it really gets foggy and lmost everytime that happens theres at least one utter fool in a grey/silver car with no lights on at the rear at all until they brake for the roundabout which is after a good mile of straight road.
JordanTurbo said:
Conscript said:
At the least, I wish DRLs would illuminate the tail lights too.
AFAIK American DRLs do. When I had my 57 plate passat, I could set different modes for the DRLs using VCDS (VAG-COM).Off - no DRLs at all
Europe - Only front side lights switched on with ignition
USA - All side lights on (front and rear) with ignition.
I don't see why we can't do the same.
Separate to this I could also set it to use the indicators instead of sides at the front as amber marker lights. Although I feel this would be way too confusing for the average british road user.
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