Sidelights only at night... WTF!

[Happy82]

I thought it may be a one off mistake the first time I saw it on a Corsa, but I've seen several Max Power-esque cars (bodykits, drivers seat reclined to horizontal, wheels sticking 5" out from the body) that have replaced their side lights with very weak LEDs (that barely illuminate the light housing) and use only the sidelights at night

Anyone else seen this? Is this the next step in the 'stealth' look?

[Jw Vw]

Seen it a few times myself. Pisses me off. It's a major danger to other road users. Maybe it's DRL for nighttime

[rllmuk]

Just be aware that sidelights only in a street lit area is acceptable, see the highway code.

[soad]

Happy82 said:

Anyone else seen this?

Haven't (yet).

[kambites]

rllmuk said:

Just be aware that sidelights only in a street lit area is acceptable, see the highway code.

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's sensible.

[Jw Vw]

kambites said:

rllmuk said:

Just be aware that sidelights only in a street lit area is acceptable, see the highway code.

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's sensible.

[sparks_E39]

fking idiots, the lot of them. Usually old 3 series BMW's with naff aftermarket angel eye rings.

[Happy82]

rllmuk said:

Just be aware that sidelights only in a street lit area is acceptable, see the highway code.

This area wasn't lit and I could only make them out coming towards me because I stuck the full beam on thinking there were some deer in the road

[SSBB]

kambites said:

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's sensible.

It's very sensible, stops dipped beams obscuring cyclists and bikers (as long as you are in a street-lit area of course).

[kambites]

SSBB said:

kambites said:

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's sensible.

It's very sensible, stops dipped beams obscuring cyclists and bikers (as long as you are in a street-lit area of course).

And all the lights are working - of course as soon as you drive under a light with a broken bulb, you're breaking the law.

[Ben106]

I've seen it a lot on the motorway lately

[F i F]

Ben106 said:

I've seen it a lot on the motorway lately

Agreed, first time I saw it was a pitch black night on the M40, some max power idiot, driving by other people's lights. Weaving from side to side in his lane. Not fit to hold a licence imo.

[james_gt3rs]

I don't understand what's going through their heads when they drive at night and think 'hmm sidelights it is then'

[sparks_E39]

james_gt3rs said:

I don't understand what's going through their heads

My bonnet

[tylerama]

SSBB said:

It's very sensible, stops dipped beams obscuring cyclists and bikers (as long as you are in a street-lit area of course).

I agree partly. Many many times in recent years, I have been driving down some of the suburban roads in west london with bikes in the oncoming lane, pedestrians waiting to cross etc and they are nearly invisible due to the glare from oncoming cars, esp those with HID and even more so from those fking ridiculous Range rovers and vans with HID's EXACTLY at eye level.
Why fit REALLY bright headlights to a vehicle that is higher than most so that the lights will be dazzling many other road users who aren't in four wheel drive vehicles ?? I just think it's really dangerous for bikers and pedestrians. Slightly off topic.. sorry !

[Fish981]

[quote=Happy82

Anyone else seen this?
[/quote]

This very morning in thick fog, at 6:30am, on the M11. He was probably cursing me as I pulled out in front of him when I was going 60 and he was doing 90ish.

[tylerama]

SSBB said:

It's very sensible, stops dipped beams obscuring cyclists and bikers (as long as you are in a street-lit area of course).

anonymous said:

[redacted]

He means being obscured by the light from oncoming cars, not the light from your own vehicle.

Edited by tylerama on Sunday 29th January 16:44

[tylerama]

rllmuk said:

Just be aware that sidelights only in a street lit area is acceptable, see the highway code.

I wasn't aware of this, just looked it up.
Slightly confused though:

113
You MUST ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226)
Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).

But 115 below, states:

115
You should also use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen.

I assume 115 means built up areas which don't have street lighting ?

Taken from here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

[Refined Detail]

Seems to be very common on the M25 these days, and regardless as to whether it's legal or not, at those speeds it seems silly, as they are harder to spot in your mirrors!

Other common practise I see a lot round here at the moment is idiots who can't be bothered to repalce a blown headlight bulb so instead drive round with 1 headlight and their foglights on

[Subbeh]

Refined Detail said:

Other common practise I see a lot round here at the moment is idiots who can't be bothered to repalce a blown headlight bulb so instead drive round with 1 headlight and their foglights on

Several times Ive spotted cars with one working headlight and one working fog on the opposite side, this really must take a very special kind of idiot to pull off.