Not so Numpty?

[P*Ting]

I was chatting to a friend who spent last year in Germany. He says German research has found that cars on motorways have over 30% less accidents IF THEY DRIVE WITH THEIR SPOTLIGHTS ON!

This figure actually increases in dark and foul conditions.

Anyone know if this is true?

[Bodo]

Never heard of it.
However my dad claims he had read in in a newspaper that every car registered in Germany after 01/01/2003 must have a circuit which switches the headlights on when starting the engine. No matter if day or night.

However another source claims, that it only applies to motorcycles from mid-2003 on

[danhay]

Spotlights???

[Bodo]

danhay said: Spotlights???

fair point

[hansgerd]

It only applies to Sweden as far as I know. However, in this time of year, I always drive with the light (not spotlights) switched on, no matter day or night. It's not for me to see better but to be sure that the others see ME.

[dimmadan]

Bodo said: Never heard of it.
However my dad claims he had read in in a newspaper that every car registered in Germany after 01/01/2003 must have a circuit which switches the headlights on when starting the engine. No matter if day or night.

However another source claims, that it only applies to motorcycles from mid-2003 on

there is definately talk of this on Motorbikes, EU wide thing

[Psychobert]

hansgerd said: It only applies to Sweden as far as I know. However, in this time of year, I always drive with the light (not spotlights) switched on, no matter day or night. It's not for me to see better but to be sure that the others see ME.

Agree with that.. My car is a darkish grey colour and as far as I am concerned, anything that increases my visibility to other road users is a good thing. Well, more or less anything. Draw the line at fog lamps..

If the weather is fine, no need for lights in the daytime IMHO. As soon as there is rain or spray around and I'm likely to do more than about 30, on come the dipped beams..

The research is quite clear on this; if you increase your visibility to others you are less likely to be in an accident caused by their not seeing you. The point about lights is that they are not normally seen during daylight so a driver who does a quick once over the shoulder type check is more likely to cognitively process the fact there is a vehicle there if it has lights on.

The effect of course reduces considerably when everyone has their lights on, and if the other driver doesn't even look or is intoxicated, its not going to help. Failing that, I figure it can't hurt to have the lights on..

[smeagol]

The reason for not having your headlights on is so that you give vehicles who are less likely to be seen a chance. For example motorbikes. You'll notice that mbikes have their lights on to help them be more visible if everybody has their lights on then that extra bit of safety for those that need it is gone.

In sweeden etc. I can understand it but even at this time of the year visibilty is not that bad in this country. For me lights go on only when it significantly helps for drivers to see me. eg heavy rain, dusk etc.

>> Edited by smeagol on Tuesday 28th January 23:18

[danhay]

I think dipped beams are plenty to get yourself seen in dodgy daylight conditions. When it's dark, any extra lights at the front will merely dazzle oncoming drivers, creating extra risk for them.
Front Fog lights are only there to increase your view in the worst of conditions. Rear fogs will increase your visibility in foggy/heavy spray conditions. But if you're in queueing conditions, you're just annoying the driver behind you.

So basically, before you switch them on (front or rear), think what effect your foglights will have on other drivers and act accordingly.