Stopping at a Junction or lights with an Automatic?

[VX Foxy]

waremark said:

I agree - I don't think the 'glare' of brake lights is ever an issue except in the dark.

Would you consider holding a car on the foot brake for extended periods bad practice?

[WhoseGeneration]

Currently trying to deal with this!
Florida, an hired auto VW Beetle.
Oh well, all good fun and experience.
There's an "s" position, dare I try it?

[George 500]

VX Foxy said:

waremark said:

I agree - I don't think the 'glare' of brake lights is ever an issue except in the dark.

Would you consider holding a car on the foot brake for extended periods bad practice?

I am sure that most people on here would agree that more than 30 seconds of brake holding is simply a pain and hence it is easier to put it into park (despite previous posters assertions and howeverclose drive is to neutral it is always going to be quicker to move one lever than two).

I have to confess the "light" that bothers me more is when you are sitting behind someone at a turn right/left traffic light and they leave their indicator on. Obviously I know that they are turning as we are in a slip lane and I am doing the same thing so I wish they would turn it off...

[waremark]

VX Foxy said:

waremark said:

I agree - I don't think the 'glare' of brake lights is ever an issue except in the dark.

Would you consider holding a car on the foot brake for extended periods bad practice?

Not sure what you have in mind by 'bad practise'. If stopped for an extended period, I would rather relax once I am happy that the situation behind me is stable, in any of Park, handbrake/D, or Brake Hold (Merc function).

[VX Foxy]

waremark said:

VX Foxy said:

waremark said:

I agree - I don't think the 'glare' of brake lights is ever an issue except in the dark.

Would you consider holding a car on the foot brake for extended periods bad practice?

Not sure what you have in mind by 'bad practise'. If stopped for an extended period, I would rather relax once I am happy that the situation behind me is stable, in any of Park, handbrake/D, or Brake Hold (Merc function).

Bad practice as in against highway code advice.

[George 500]

I was interested by this and so had a look in the Highway Code. Where is it that it says that it is bad practice? I had a look through here but can't find anything

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/hig...

[F i F]

George 500 said:

I was interested by this and so had a look in the Highway Code. Where is it that it says that it is bad practice? I had a look through here but can't find anything

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/hig...

114
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.

[Law RVLR reg 27]

[George 500]

F i F said:

George 500 said:

I was interested by this and so had a look in the Highway Code. Where is it that it says that it is bad practice? I had a look through here but can't find anything

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/hig...

114
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.

[Law RVLR reg 27]

Thank you I knew I was just being thick!

Edited by George 500 on Wednesday 7th October 10:29

[BertBert]

Better go and take me brake lights out then. As it seems to be a complete prohibition on their use!
Bert

[jazzyjeff]

F i F said:

George 500 said:

I was interested by this and so had a look in the Highway Code. Where is it that it says that it is bad practice? I had a look through here but can't find anything

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/hig...

114
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.

[Law RVLR reg 27]

Not just bad practice but illegal to boot!

Pity most people don't bother referring to the Regs - most people I come across seem to 'sit' on the brake for extended periods at traffic lights. Not only is it dazzling to me behind, especially at night, but more often than not you have to wait for them to work out what to do with their feet once it's time to get moving again!

JJ

[VX Foxy]

BertBert said:

Better go and take me brake lights out then.

That might be illegal too. You're fked.
Bert.

[waremark]

VX Foxy said:

waremark said:

VX Foxy said:

waremark said:

I agree - I don't think the 'glare' of brake lights is ever an issue except in the dark.

Would you consider holding a car on the foot brake for extended periods bad practice?

Not sure what you have in mind by 'bad practise'. If stopped for an extended period, I would rather relax once I am happy that the situation behind me is stable, in any of Park, handbrake/D, or Brake Hold (Merc function).

Bad practice as in against highway code advice.

Thanks for explaining. No, happy to use my own judgement about whether I am causing a dazzle problem - I think it is only a problem in the dark.

Is there anyone here who thinks brake lights dazzle in daylight?

[George 500]

jazzyjeff said:

Pity most people don't bother referring to the Regs - most people I come across seem to 'sit' on the brake for extended periods at traffic lights. Not only is it dazzling to me behind, especially at night, but more often than not you have to wait for them to work out what to do with their feet once it's time to get moving again!

JJ

That's all you ninnies in manuals fiddling about with that other pedal...

[cornishgirl]

waremark said:

Is there anyone here who thinks brake lights dazzle in daylight?

Yes, in poor visibility such as in drizzle or sea mist (we get a lot of that round here) those little led lights seem much brighter and do dazzle.

[bennyboydurham]

My 7 Series has a handy auto brake function that applies the parking brake when in 'D' whilst stationary. When you hit the gas it releases. No need for sitting on the footbrake and no need to add wear and tear from selecting 'N' at every stop. If coasting very slowly it can sometimes kick in and jerk you to a sudden halt, however, so it's not idiot proof.

[VX Foxy]

bennyboydurham said:

My 7 Series has a handy auto brake function that applies the parking brake when in 'D' whilst stationary. When you hit the gas it releases. No need for sitting on the footbrake and no need to add wear and tear from selecting 'N' at every stop. If coasting very slowly it can sometimes kick in and jerk you to a sudden halt, however, so it's not idiot proof.

My Passat does that...but it works properly It's fun when you occasionally jump in another car and forget it han't got auto hold!