OT lights on!!!

[Britcheflee]

Every year around this time I start to get really annoyed at those drivers who do not put their headlights on when visibility is greatly reduced.

About a year ago I had one of those scary moments which make you shudder afterwards - there are a number of places on the Freeway where you can cross to get to side roads. Was about this time of the year, raining and foggy - waiting to cross freeway - bunch of cars passed with headlights on, then I looked ahead and saw another waaay in the distance with headlights one....nearly crossed but had a strange feeling, looked again and in the mist and rain was a silver/grey car with no headlights on just flying down the road - if I had crossed would have been a collision.

I count the cars coming down the freeway with no lights on in terrible visibility...would be ok if there were no places where people can cross the flow of traffic but here in Apple hill there are a number of places where you can......

So, please, in these winter conditions and poor visibility put those headlights on - may save you, or another driver.

Lee

 

[Ron-MO]

That is one thing I like about the auto on headlights on some cars. I have grown to love mine on my full size truck, as I never have to remember to turn them on. My wife drives a Toyota that does not do that, and she is always asking me if my headlights are on when we are driving in low visibility, and I tell her they are always on in that truck. Last winter I had a scare when I had just pulled onto the roadway, and as I started up a small incline I suddenly noticed not one, but two sets of headlights straight ahead, and realized some fool had pulled out to pass before he was able to clearly see oncoming traffic on a two lane road. When he realized what he had done, he made an attempt to pull back into his lane, however the vehicle he was passing had applied his brakes, and he could not get back in his lane. I went as far right as I dare, and we passed 3 wide on a two lane road. Fortunately I happened to be driving a Suzuki Sidekick that day (we sometimes drive as a third vehicle), and it was small enough to allow me to squeeze by him on my right. To make matters even more tricky there was still snow on the shoulder and my left tires were on the white line, and right tires in plowed snow on the shoulder. I hope he learned something that day, once he changed his shorts. I see far too many people take risks passing on two lane roads with not enough visibility of oncoming traffic, just so they can drive 5 mph faster (or usually trying to exceed the posted speed limit by 5 mph). They usually end up two or three cars ahead following another driver, and we all arrive at the same time anyhow.

 

[D Squared]

My last 2 new cars (2006 and 2011) the headlights come on automatically when you turn on the wipers. An idiot proof system.

 

[McNugget]

Years ago Greyhound Bus discovered that there were fewer bus accidents if they ran the buses with headlights on. After hearing that I started running with my headlights on all the time. If they cannot see a bus without its lights on, how are they going to see my car? Do not get me started on turn signal usage. I am convinced that there are people who would disable their brake lights if they could!

 

[R Geiger]

Having your lights on are very helpful and I have mine on whenever I think the conditions warrant it.
As you found out you can not count on everyone having their lights on, don't get to relying on them having them on. When the conditions are bad we must really be sure of what is or is not coming. It is up to us to keep ourselves safe, not anyone else.

 

[Bob In Missouri]

Our state passed a law few years back, if wipers on, headlights must be on. Had a big ad campaign about it. That seems to have helped some. Amazing how the gov. has to tell alot of people what is plain to alot of others. Bob

 

[old]

Bob I passed that number you said something about a few days ago LOL

 

[Bob In Missouri]

Wow, You made it faster than I expected. I can't imagine ever adding up that many posts. Never know though. Bob

 

[BillM (OH)]

I run with headlights on all the time. Up in the great white
north, they have had running lights on vehicles for years -
smart!!!

 

[Jubilee85 (VA)]

In VA....same law....but like the seatbelt law, will not be pulled over for that reason, get pulled for speeding or something...then the policeman mentions...you didnt have your lights on, or your seatbelt was not on....

all cars should have lights on 24/7....like ALL motorcycle riders due now!

 

[old]

Well when you have been on the forums as long as I have been and then also I cover almost all of them that to adds up fast. I have also had a dealer account at the local O'Reilly's for a long time so I have been throwing wrenches at machines for many many years which helps me with the forums

 

[Wings]

Sorry to be the dissenter, but I hate the auto headlights. There is nothing more annoying, other than tailgaters, than headlights on during the day.

We older drivers can't adjust to the glare/brightness as we did when we were younger. It's bad enough at night with those blueish lights that go right through your eyeballs and now we are subjected to it all day.

I keep my lights off during the day unless conditions call for some lighting, which is seldom.

wings