Driving with headlights on

[RandomDesign]

What's the story with this... I seem to recall that this was made law some time ago, was it unmade or just heeded like the laws about cell phone use while driving?
and do some cars come with constant running lights now?

Edit: It was never law, I misremembered all the fuss. Or, the brainwashing took

 

[Batista]

Pls give us some background, as far as i know, you only need to drive with lights on when visibility is bad (fog?) and definitely when the sun goes down.

 

[Nerfherder]

I flipping hate it...

If its dark or you can't see put the lights on.... else turn the fekkkers off !

 

[Tango]

The "Drive Alive" campaign was behind this at one time. As I recall it had something to do with being seen on the road.

Some of the newer cars (Audi comes to mind), they have some models that have "day lights' on their vehicles.

I still see a lot of cars that do this though. . . .

 

[saor]

Cape Talk punt it quite a lot as part of their Lead SA thingmadoo:

Headlights On
• “But it’s daytime bru. I can, like, see.”
• Driving with headlights on helps people to see you earlier.
• All the countries who have legislated that headlights must be on during the day, have seen a reduction in accidents during the day of at least 17%.
• It costs you nothing but has great effect.
leadsa

 

[Archer]

"Lead with your lights" is where it started I believe, intended for long journeys on the open road where it's difficult to see if someone is in your lane or not, but has now infiltrated every day driving as well. No laws mandating it, just some campaign about how it supposedly makes the roads safer.

I have nothing against DRLs though.

 

[Sinbad]

I flipping hate it...

If its dark or you can't see put the lights on.... else turn the fekkkers off !

But why?

 

[Drifter]

Nearly every brand has DRL's in their newer models, VW, Ford, Audi, BMW, Merc , Citroen...

 

[Tango]

Cape Talk punt it quite a lot as part of their Lead SA thingmadoo:

Correct, LeadSA - they were behind this too.

 

[Beachless]

I think motorbikes are required by law to have lights on at all times but not cars.

 

[*Medusa*]

My car comes with an auto setting, so I always leave it on, it detects and adjusts to the amount of light needed. So if I pull into the work basement it goes brighter, etc.

 

[Tango]

My car comes with an auto setting, so I always leave it on, it detects and adjusts to the amount of light needed. So if I pull into the work basement it goes brighter, etc.

That is very handy - What car do you drive?

 

[M3mPh1z]

I leave my lights on Auto for the most part, DRL when its clear and beams when its dark

 

[Fulcrum29]

Volvo had DRL's in the early 2000's or as per the previous generation S60, don't know about the other models, but near all modern European vehicles have them.

 

[Nerfherder]

But why?

Oncoming cars with their lights shining in your eyes ? Thats more than enough reason.

Its retarded, makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[Nerfherder]

Correct, LeadSA - they were behind this too.

I actually withdrew support for Lead SA because of the daylights thing.

 

[Fazda]

I actually withdrew support for Lead SA because of the daylights thing.

In other words, you would rather someone hit you because they couldn't see you, rather than support a law that is there for your safety!

 

[Wezzy777]

That is very handy - What car do you drive?

A lot of cars come with Auto lights had in my ford fiesta and now in my Merc.

 

[Fazda]

Oncoming cars with their lights shining in your eyes ? Thats more than enough reason.

Its retarded, makes no sense whatsoever.

Sorry - but you are talking bollocks!

 

[Wezzy777]

I agree that long distance driving you should keep your head lights on. Driving this past December to Namibia I noticed that when I kept my headlights on fewer people on the other side of the road would overtake as it is harder to judge the distance when the oncoming car has his headlights on. For the most part, city driving ect. I say leave your lights off during daytime as if everyone had their lights on it would be harder to spot motorbikes.