Are brake lights at junctions the new front fog lights?
Discussion
djc206 said:
So it’s not illegal then.
Highway Code rule 144 said:
You MUST NOT
use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
As you missed it. use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Liquid Knight said:
djc206 said:
So it’s not illegal then.
Highway Code rule 144 said:
You MUST NOT
use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
As you missed it. use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
It’s funny, I’ve often found people with dash cams particularly bad drivers. The irony being they’ve fitted a dash cam to capture other motorists poor driving when in fact it’s themselves who are the problem. Especially those who choose to post their videos online, as they seem to be the ones who go looking for trouble.
Liquid Knight said:
If you're using your handbrake like you are supposed to and as the law requires so the same rear end collision would be enough to move your vehicle spreading the energy of the impact but not enough to knock you into other traffic.
If there is a chance I might be hit from behind the last thing I want to do is use the handbrake. I would be aiming to move forwards asap and find an escape route. Try fumbling with the handbrake at the top of a motorway exit slip when there is 40 tonnes at 50mph coming up behind you. Try steering behind pedestrians on a zebra after getting hit from behind with your handbrake on.If you get to the stage where your foot slipping off the brake causes unavoidable death or serious injury then you've already messed up by putting yourself in that position.
Boosted LS1 said:
Who fumbles with a handbrake? It's just a simple lever. If I saw an artic rushing up behind me I'd have the handbrake of in a jiffy.
Pretty much everyone who waits for the car in front of them to move off before engaging gear and fumbling with said handbrake so when you get to the lights they have changed 
Tony33 said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Who fumbles with a handbrake? It's just a simple lever. If I saw an artic rushing up behind me I'd have the handbrake of in a jiffy.
Pretty much everyone who waits for the car in front of them to move off before engaging gear and fumbling with said handbrake so when you get to the lights they have changed 
Tony33 said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Who fumbles with a handbrake? It's just a simple lever. If I saw an artic rushing up behind me I'd have the handbrake of in a jiffy.
Pretty much everyone who waits for the car in front of them to move off before engaging gear and fumbling with said handbrake so when you get to the lights they have changed jamei303 said:
So on street-lit roads who turns their headlights off when waiting in traffic, and waits on sidelights until moving off?
Depends how long I'm waiting. Traffic lights not so much but railway crossings I turn my engine (and therefore headlights) off as soon as there is someone behind me. Also at night I use side lights (drls) when I leave my driveway. It's a bit of a slope and that avoids dazzling anyone who might be driving by.
Le Controleur Horizontal said:
Not really when you see this thread....basic courtesy to our fellow man it seems is dead.
Common sense and common courtesy aren't very common these days. 
What do I do about my golf r estate that is a dsg.
If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
gazza5 said:
What do I do about my golf r estate that is a dsg.
If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
No,you just have an inconsiderate car that makes you look like the one to blame to strangers, the car being German in origin, they then just assume you are.If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
Edited by Le Controleur Horizontal on Monday 29th April 15:43
gazza5 said:
What do I do about my golf r estate that is a dsg.
If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
Report yourself to the police and demand a full refund from whoever sold you the car.If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
Or you could just use the car as the manufacturer intended, and if you find yourself in court on a charge of causing undue dazzle to someone behind you, just relax as the judge dismisses the case.
gazza5 said:
What do I do about my golf r estate that is a dsg.
If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
The highway code makes it clear that it's not illegal. Just a nicety.If I stop at the lights, the auto parking brake goes on, my feet are not on the pedal but my rear lights are lit?
My foot is not on the brake pedal, my car is obviously in drive (car also has hill hold assist - and stop start tech).
Judging by this thread I am breaking the law (highway code) with out actually doing it myself.
It also shows the gap between updated thinking around safety (brake lights on when stationary), and the highway code.
I'm sure we're all shocked to hear that a piece of government documentation and advice is out of touch with the modern world.
Munter said:
The highway code makes it clear that it's not illegal. Just a nicety.
It also shows the gap between updated thinking around safety (brake lights on when stationary), and the highway code.
I'm sure we're all shocked to hear that a piece of government documentation and advice is out of touch with the modern world.
There's more to this - yes, the HC says "should" but that could lead to a prosecution on a related matter, i.e. it's not an offence specifically to fail to apply the handbrake, but it could be an offence to dazzle those behind.It also shows the gap between updated thinking around safety (brake lights on when stationary), and the highway code.
I'm sure we're all shocked to hear that a piece of government documentation and advice is out of touch with the modern world.
On safety, the HC does imply you can keep the brake lights lit until the next car has seen you, so it's not completely out of touch with the modern safety thinking.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff