RE: Seeing the Light
Thursday 6th December 2001
Seeing the Light
Daytime running lights to become the norm in Europe.
Discussion
So, cyclists and pedestrians are complaining that they won't be seen! well, maybe they will see the motorists and not be pillocks and step out in front of us!!!
As for cyclists, well, get some lights on your bike, or wear a flourescent jacket! You don't have to pay road tax, insurance or petrol, and you still use the road, we car owners do, so stop complaining about not being seen, if you wear something flourescent, and remember to turn the light on on your bik then you'll be ok.
As for cyclists, well, get some lights on your bike, or wear a flourescent jacket! You don't have to pay road tax, insurance or petrol, and you still use the road, we car owners do, so stop complaining about not being seen, if you wear something flourescent, and remember to turn the light on on your bik then you'll be ok.
nice one Markus !
I have a real split personality when it comes to means of transport. I have 2 cars, a mountain bike, and a motorbike.
I pay tax & insurance on 3 of 'em, and one lets me have some exercise without going to a gym.
Funny thing is, I reckon the mtb is the most dangerous of them all, but unlike a lot of cyclists I don't get all militant about "riders rights" - but I wish people would give me a bit more room.
The motorbike is the freedom device. Reserved for FUN only, and never for mundane purposes like going to work. So frivolous, so antisocial !! so bloody marvellous. Like a great Sports car, it raises peoples spirits to see a bike thrash away at the lights, or scratch round a corner. Well, it gives me a buzz to see other people go fast !! I hope this is a 2 way street.
As for putting lights on a mtb, of course it has, but I don't feel endangered by Tiv-man, or even Max Power Man. No, the hazard is worse from "Baby on Board" (AKA "BOBs") family wagon. BOB is the most dangerous category of driver known to man, apart from Metro driver.
I have a real split personality when it comes to means of transport. I have 2 cars, a mountain bike, and a motorbike.
I pay tax & insurance on 3 of 'em, and one lets me have some exercise without going to a gym.
Funny thing is, I reckon the mtb is the most dangerous of them all, but unlike a lot of cyclists I don't get all militant about "riders rights" - but I wish people would give me a bit more room.
The motorbike is the freedom device. Reserved for FUN only, and never for mundane purposes like going to work. So frivolous, so antisocial !! so bloody marvellous. Like a great Sports car, it raises peoples spirits to see a bike thrash away at the lights, or scratch round a corner. Well, it gives me a buzz to see other people go fast !! I hope this is a 2 way street.
As for putting lights on a mtb, of course it has, but I don't feel endangered by Tiv-man, or even Max Power Man. No, the hazard is worse from "Baby on Board" (AKA "BOBs") family wagon. BOB is the most dangerous category of driver known to man, apart from Metro driver.
Legislate to keep pedestrians off the roads . Use the money wasted on pointless speed cameras to build overhead walkways or underpasses which MUST be used to cross roads... there - solved the problem of pedestrian death and injury in vehicle related crushings in one easy step.
Joolz for transport minister... he rocks!
Joolz for transport minister... he rocks!
Besides Bikers peds and cyclists, groups of keen motorists also oppose Daytime Lights both in the UK and USA.
We submith that the effect of glare detracts from our ability to percieve the fine details of potential hazards such as fools about to open a car door or feet between parked vehicles.
The last thing you want to be confronted with when using a good sightline through a fast corner is a blinding (and probably senile) Volvo driver.
It is also difficult to see Plod in your mirror with a SUV burning the paint off your boot lid!
As a result of lobbying from EU bikers FEMA, Eu pedestrians IPF accident victims FEVA, the EU cyclists ECF and DADRL, the European Parialment have rejected the introduction of DRLs - for the time being.
Roy Milnes
UK Co-ordinator Drivers Against Daytime Running Lights
roy milnes@aol.com
We submith that the effect of glare detracts from our ability to percieve the fine details of potential hazards such as fools about to open a car door or feet between parked vehicles.
The last thing you want to be confronted with when using a good sightline through a fast corner is a blinding (and probably senile) Volvo driver.
It is also difficult to see Plod in your mirror with a SUV burning the paint off your boot lid!
As a result of lobbying from EU bikers FEMA, Eu pedestrians IPF accident victims FEVA, the EU cyclists ECF and DADRL, the European Parialment have rejected the introduction of DRLs - for the time being.
Roy Milnes
UK Co-ordinator Drivers Against Daytime Running Lights
roy milnes@aol.com
My reaction is (as usual) disbelief! When will these self-important clowns wake up to the fact that drivers have brains and should be encouraged to use them. Regulation is heaped upon regulation, with the result that more and more people let Nanny State do their thinking for them. That is the way to fill the roads with morons, to the despair of those of us who take pride in trying to drive as well as we can.
The present driving test should be binned NOW, and replaced with up-to-date driver education, then examination, to a far higher standard. Those who fail can go away and sort themselves out, and then try again.
The day I need someone to tell me when to switch on my lights I will quit, for the common good.
The present driving test should be binned NOW, and replaced with up-to-date driver education, then examination, to a far higher standard. Those who fail can go away and sort themselves out, and then try again.
The day I need someone to tell me when to switch on my lights I will quit, for the common good.
I assume the daytime running lights are similar to what Volvos use/used where the sidelights are kept on all the time. If this is the case, wouldn't people be less likely to turn their normal lights on when it gets dark as they will see that their dashboard is lit up and assume that the dips are on. If they really are worried about people not turning lights on, BMW, Mercedes and Renault are starting to use lights that turn on automatically. Problem solved!!!
While I agree that over legislation is not doing us any favours at the enthusiast end of the food chain, but the majority of "drivers" are without a clue. The number of people I see driving in the rain and dark without lights on is totally beyond belief, and the number who reach for the fog lights when its raining is even more bewildering.
Even in bright sunlight, it is usually easier to pick out lights when having the glare of the sun in your face.
Oh....I'm getting a nosebleed. Soapbox set too high....
I'll get me coat...
Tim
Even in bright sunlight, it is usually easier to pick out lights when having the glare of the sun in your face.
Oh....I'm getting a nosebleed. Soapbox set too high....
I'll get me coat...
Tim
Tim, what kind of car do you drive? I bet its not low down.
I get blinded by cars at night with high intensity dipped beam, now I'm going to be blinded during the day. This idea also make the most vunerable road users (ie motorbikers) less visable. Side-lights like the volvo are fine they don't blind anyone, but will the legislation say how bright these daylight lights be? will they b**l*cks.
Yet another sad day for sensible motoring.
I get blinded by cars at night with high intensity dipped beam, now I'm going to be blinded during the day. This idea also make the most vunerable road users (ie motorbikers) less visable. Side-lights like the volvo are fine they don't blind anyone, but will the legislation say how bright these daylight lights be? will they b**l*cks.
Yet another sad day for sensible motoring.
Volvo DRLs were a second setting of the side-lights, brighter than normal and did not turn on the dashboard lights so you could tell if you had no lights on at night.
My suggestion would be for a light sensor that would automatically turn on the lights in poor light and off in good light conditions. This should definitely be applied to rear fog lights!
My suggestion would be for a light sensor that would automatically turn on the lights in poor light and off in good light conditions. This should definitely be applied to rear fog lights!
smeagol
drive an Audi S4, but my last car was an SLK so I too have been blinded. In fact, with the huge number of giant SUV's on the road here in the States, I get blinded all the time in the Audi.
Its a dmaned if they're on, damned if they're off scenario really.
Lexus has a auto on/ auto off feature on their lights. That's really the best solution, although I like the idiot sensor !!!!
Edited by tjones5420 on Friday 7th December 13:56
drive an Audi S4, but my last car was an SLK so I too have been blinded. In fact, with the huge number of giant SUV's on the road here in the States, I get blinded all the time in the Audi.
Its a dmaned if they're on, damned if they're off scenario really.
Lexus has a auto on/ auto off feature on their lights. That's really the best solution, although I like the idiot sensor !!!!
Edited by tjones5420 on Friday 7th December 13:56
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