Would I get done for green daytime running lights?

[SVS]

Yes, I know that lights at the front should be white or yellow. We're increasingly living in a sea of daytime running lights, however, so nobody notices my bike's headlight. Enter these ...

Could any BiB give an unofficial, informal opinion?



In reality, would I get done for using them?

[SVS]

sc0tt said:

By the fashion police.

You haven't seen how colour coordinated I am. These lights go nicely with my green leather suit

[SVS]

Vaud said:

OP... Given your experience and extensive training ... Do you really need to ask?

Yes, because car drivers waiting at a junction don't always see motorbikes, then they pull into the bike's path. All bikers have experienced this. It's the commonest form of bike accident and I'll take any possible advantage to reduce the chance of it happening.

My "extensive training" has kept me accident-free for the last decade's riding. But my riding's not perfect. I might make a human error. If a car pulls into the path of my bike, what if I'm having an off-day? We're all human and can make mistakes.

Earlier this year, I had a very close call. It was caused by a driver failing to see my bike. I needed every last ounce of "experience and extensive training" to avoid a possibly fatal accident. Luckily I was on form. If I'd had an off-day, however, I wouldn't be able to type this today.

This is the most comprehensive study into why drivers crash into motorcycles. It says: "the most promising intervention type (and the one on which there is least work in real-world settings) would appear to be physical changes to motorcycle lighting. These could be configurations that lead to greater contrast with the background (especially differentiation of motorcycles from surrounding traffic with lights – for example differently coloured lights that stand out from the white lights typically see on cars)"

V8forweekends said:

No-one's pulling all the HGVS with masses of blue LEDs on the front

Hence my question!

Edited by SVS on Friday 11th April 11:40

[SVS]

Biking's way too much fun to give up!

I feel safe motorcycling 99% of the time, thanks to the training I've had. Otherwise I wouldn't enjoy it so much! However, I see no harm in seeking to increase my safety margins. My roadcraft, physical skills and protective gear are the three things that keep me safe. I like to keep on top of all three of them.

Can nobody give an informed answer to my original question? If trucks routinely use blue DRLs without issue, how about green or blue lights at the front of a bike?

[SVS]

Police discretion

rolando said:

Why plod doesn't pursue all the abuse of the regulations is beyond me.

Because we live in a country in which the police are expected to use their discretion. It's an important part of our justice system.

If I ride with a dark visor at night, the police will quite rightly take action. If I ride with an dark visor during a bright sunny day, the police will ignore it. Most dark visors are illegal, but dark sunglasses are perfectly legal. The law's an ass. Thankfully, the police exercise their discretion in what they do about it.

Similarly, I imagine this is why truckers get away with blue running lights. It makes them more visible and does no harm.

[SVS]

Thanks Nige - good info.