People driving with no lights on

[mcxuk1]

Is it just me or has anybody else noticed the growing trend in people driving at night with no lights on? I can't seem to go a day without having to flash somebody or tell them at traffic lights that they haven't put their lights on yet.

[Triumph Man]

1. They're morons.
2. The lamps have blown

3. Both of the above, which are not always mutually exclusive.

[DrDeAtH]

Many each day... Hopefully these mongs will die and free up the roads. Old people and women seem to be the main offenders as well as the idiots on drls at night....

Add those to them who have no brake lights........

[karl_h]

One thing that catches me out is back lit instrument clusters. The focus' dials illuminate regardless of the lights being on. If I'm in a well lit area ill often not notice I haven't put the lights on

[williredale]

Yes. I pulled out in front of a woman because she had no lights and I didn't see her. Looked left, looked right pulled out and caught a glimpse of something coming from the left. fk! Booted it and avoided her but put my hazards on and told her to put her bloody lights on.

[CooperS]

DrDeAtH said:

Many each day... Hopefully these mongs will die and free up the roads. Old people and women seem to be the main offenders as well as the idiots on drls at night....

Add those to them who have no brake lights........

I'm particulary enjoying people who have side lights on but make their car instantly cooler by running the fog lights.... Wish my Z4MC had fogs.......

[thinfourth2]

Easily done by those over the age of about 25.

Any car that is about 10 years or older had dashboard lighting which came on with the headlights

So can see clocks ergo headlights must be on.


However about a decade ago a designer had an idea. note the word designer not the word engineer

This idea was to make the dashboard look interesting and funky during the day the clocks would be strongly backlite to make them look funky.

And yes it does give you a funky look

However to those of us with more then a few grey hairs will see that dashboard lights are on ergo the headlights must be on.

Add in strong street lighting and you haven't got a fking clue if the lights are on or not.

Its stupid fecking idea

[AlexRS2782]

1st time i've been in rush hour traffic for ages and saw a woman in her Zafira at the Sunbury exit of the M3 running with no lights on, but yet she had managed to turn on the interior light to keep her kids well illuminated

[mcxuk1]

I know what you guys are saying about the light clusters but surely it's not that difficult to look for the light sign on there or even notice your reflection on other cars. Suppose some people think that if they can see then other people must be able to see them...

[ShampooEfficient]

mcxuk1 said:

I know what you guys are saying about the light clusters but surely it's not that difficult to look for the light sign on there or even notice your reflection on other cars. Suppose some people think that if they can see then other people must be able to see them...

If you're in a street lit area, you might not notice. And plus Mr and Mrs Average don't pay any attention to driving...

[GadgeS3C]

mcxuk1 said:

I know what you guys are saying about the light clusters but surely it's not that difficult to look for the light sign on there or even notice your reflection on other cars. Suppose some people think that if they can see then other people must be able to see them...

You mean the light sign that looks like the fog light sign? The one that people don't notice for most of the year once they've switched them on? Not that difficult you say?

[karl_h]

As above its force of habit. All of my previous cars the gauges were illuminated on the light switch, you could barely see them as they were shaded by the cowl. Now mine DIM when the lights are put on!

[poing]

They don't need lights, lights are only for people who are not fully trained in the ways.

[Zod]

karl_h said:

One thing that catches me out is back lit instrument clusters. The focus' dials illuminate regardless of the lights being on. If I'm in a well lit area ill often not notice I haven't put the lights on

That seems to be the case with most new cars now. It's caught me out a couple of times.

[Meoricin]

thinfourth2 said:

Easily done by those over the age of about 25.

Any car that is about 10 years or older had dashboard lighting which came on with the headlights

So can see clocks ergo headlights must be on.


However about a decade ago a designer had an idea. note the word designer not the word engineer

This idea was to make the dashboard look interesting and funky during the day the clocks would be strongly backlite to make them look funky.

And yes it does give you a funky look

However to those of us with more then a few grey hairs will see that dashboard lights are on ergo the headlights must be on.

Add in strong street lighting and you haven't got a fking clue if the lights are on or not.

Its stupid fecking idea

Hear hear! It's always someone else's fault! Bad design! Marketing! Harrumph!

[tbc]

I see at least one going about on my daily commute

I just cannot understand how anyone could drive in pitch black with no dash lights on

absolute morons

[FourWheelDrift]

And there were loads without lights on in the thick fog last Tuesday. Then the other end of the spectrum, those in lines of closely following traffic with the fog lights still on blinding those following.

At night I find most have just pulled out of brightly lit car parks at supermarkets or retail parks.

[thinfourth2]

mcxuk1 said:

I know what you guys are saying about the light clusters but surely it's not that difficult to look for the light sign on there or even notice your reflection on other cars. Suppose some people think that if they can see then other people must be able to see them...

Oh its easy for me

As if i forget to switch the lights on you will be gently reminded by running into a fence

For townies it may more difficult

[Astra Dan]

I put the blame on the designers. For cars to work in this society where any idiot can get a licence and the test is NOT based on any mechanical sympathy and knowledge, there needs to be a huge sign that the headlights aren't on. Street lighting is so bright you don't even need headlights (especially not the intense white glares modern cars come with; I tend to stick to sidelights as well...).
Like indicators, pedals, symbols; it all needs to be universal.
Mind you, my GTE has a digi dash and I seen to be ok. In fact I only noticed fairly recently the illumination symbol is dim with sidelights and bright with headlights.

[u05je7]

Fortunately driving a Volvo it isn't an option. Can't say I've found it difficult to remember in any of the other cars though.

Part of lights stems from the need to see, not to be seen- hence why people forget I suppose.