Is this a thing now? (always on indicators)

[ukaskew]

Twice this week I've had cars behind me that have their indicator bulbs on permanently, and no other lights. When reaching a turning/roundabout they then use them as conventional indicators (i.e. they flash).

I know this has been fairly common in the US for a long time, but these were right hand drive European cars (a BMW and an Audi), so presumably modified intentionally to do it. Neither car was completely standard, so is it a 'scene' thing?

For clarity, definitely not side lights or DRLS, these are proper yellow/orange repeater bulbs/LEDs.

Incidently, yellow headlights seem to be 'in' again as well.

[ukaskew]

Gary29 said:

Argh really? This is a thing now? How long before someone pulls out of a T-junction in front of one of these thinking they were indicating to turn in?

Cars in the US had this for years prior to DRLs, so I doubt it's a safety issue. Well, aside from the fact that the BMW had clearly disabled/removed the DRLs and only had the indicators on...and it was pretty dark.

Edited by ukaskew on Thursday 20th October 12:43

[ukaskew]

sonnenschein3000 said:

But the new shape Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports have a big amber line on the front lights that come on with the headlamps. OK, fine, the indicator bulb is just below it and so is s separate bulb, but it looks the same.

These were cars, at dusk, with nothing but indicator bulbs on solidly. No sidelights, no headlights, no DRLS. So a little different, in my experience Range Rovers are lit up like Christmas Trees at the best of times, so no issues with visibility.

[ukaskew]

rampageturke said:

potentially dangerous is pushing it

I haven't been for a couple of years now so can't remember for sure, but I'm fairly sure many cars in the US drive around (as standard) exactly as I've described. So presumably it's not dangerous (i.e. somebody has studied it).

Clearly disabling sidelights/DRLs and just running with indicators on at dusk, as I've seen, is a different kettle of fish though.

[ukaskew]

KM666 said:

I didn't think it was illegal so long as the sidelight bulbs work as normal? You can buy dual bulbs and carriers for £15 something like 9w sidelight 55w indicator. My understanding is that so long as the normal sidelight bulbs work any extra lighting is legal so long as it's coloured legally, amber is a colour you can have as a front facing secondary light.

I think the point is that they disable DRLs/sidelights and just have the permacators (love that description!) on, maybe with front fogs for added knobbishness.

[ukaskew]

hondansx said:

Are you lot actually enthusiasts? Can you not think back to your youth and remember how much of a daft twit you were following some kind of fashion at some point?

Yes, and nope. In my younger years I had a standard Clio 172 Cup, standard Sportka, standard Ignis Sport (arrived with bright yellow rally mudflaps, removed them!) I did have a Phase 1 172 that had the wheels and badges repainted black, but only because it came like that and it was the best car I found at the time. Even at a young age we spent our money on hiring airfields and circuits (the little one at Haynes Motor Museum was awesome).

By all means attach silly wings, stickerbomb your wing mirrors, add fake diffusers etc. But there is, in my opinion, no excuse for modifying safety features in any way that makes them even slightly less usable/visible than standard. They may as well be uninsured.