Headlights

**DJM83** · 03-12-2010, 07:26 PM

Ever since i have been driving i have always drivin with my headlights on daylight night time whenever.
Ok after all the threads about foglights, spotlights, lighthouse's and DRL's this one is simple do you drive with your headlights on in the day time?

THIS THREAD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FOGLIGHTS ITS THAT SIMPLE.

Riksta · 03-12-2010, 07:30 PM

Bright clear sunny days, no. Unless I'm on the highway - highway trips they're always on regardless.

Cloudy/overcast day - depending how dull the light is, I will tend to put them on just to aid my car being seen by others.

smciner1 · 03-12-2010, 07:31 PM

If it is very Overcast and or Raining, yes.

GreenR · 03-12-2010, 07:34 PM

Voted no. Maybe it is proven to be safer to have them on but find it pointless. In the middle of daylight If you can't see another car because they don't have their headlights on time for a visit to the optometrist

BIGJB · 03-12-2010, 07:41 PM

I voted yes for this and as far as I am concerned it should be law. I spend a lot of time on the road
and have done for a number of years and anyone who says it makes no difference is kidding themselves.
You can see an on coming car long before if it's lights are particularly if it is a silver or grey coloured car.

Coyote mk3 · 03-12-2010, 07:45 PM

Yep, clear sunny 30 degree day they're still on.
Dark Green tends to blend in with trees.
But I do it in what ever car I am driving, I just believe it is just safer.

**DJM83** · 03-12-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T2TE50#134

I voted yes for this and as far as I am concerned it should be law. I spend a lot of time on the road
and have done for a number of years and anyone who says it makes no difference is kidding themselves.
You can see an on coming car long before if it's lights are particularly if it is a silver or grey coloured car.

Agree John it should be law but i think it will just cause trouble, maybe every new car made should have a feature where as soon as the car is on the lights turn on like and auto function that cant be turned off (eliminate the headlight switch even) I miss the auto headlight function in my old AU.

XCwillo · 03-12-2010, 07:48 PM

Like i said in the other thread
I always drive with em on, but not cause of safety, its just when an XC has its lights on, it looks mean as hell and like its alive (Y)

fmc351 · 03-12-2010, 07:50 PM

Car in bad weather, yes. On the bike, always.

Quote:

Originally Posted by plarazza

Voted no. Maybe it is proven to be safer to have them on but find it pointless. In the middle of daylight If you can't see another car because they don't have their headlights on time for a visit to the optometrist

Yeah, but you dont see your own headlights. The only person you choose for is you. Its for the guy who doesnt want to see/doesnt think he needs to see, the optometrist, so he has a slightly better chance of seeing you.

BIGJB · 03-12-2010, 07:50 PM

On both the TE and the Ghia I never actually turn the headlight switch off, I am surprised that the new toy doesn't
have auto lights off Dallas. Thought that would have been a standard feature on most cars these days.

**Mechan1k** · 03-12-2010, 07:58 PM

As a courier ... I do ... regardless.

I have found that some people catch the glimpse of headlights in their mirror before just swapping a lane. It can make a difference.

Also in and out of loading docks as well ... saves switching lights on and off all of the time. Makes it easier for me.

I guess it is one reason why Telstra have the auto headlights on feature that is hard-wired in from factory.

**DJM83** · 03-12-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I guess it is one reason why Telstra have the auto headlights on feature that is hard-wired in from factory.

I was aware of that, i think its a great idea.

The Monty · 03-12-2010, 08:22 PM

I always drive with headlights on. Its just the way I was taught.

grandpa_spec_F6 · 03-12-2010, 08:29 PM

Headlights are on all the time, used to drive without them on but people do see you coming a lot sooner if you have them on.

I used to notice people a lot who had their headlights on and think "what idiots, it's the middle of the day"... then one day I realised I had noticed every car with them ON, and hadn't given any of the cars with them OFF a second thought.

geckoGT · 03-12-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plarazza

Voted no. Maybe it is proven to be safer to have them on but find it pointless. In the middle of daylight If you can't see another car because they don't have their headlights on time for a visit to the optometrist

What about the other motorist that has pushed it a bit too long since their last refraction or perhaps their eyes have started deteriorating faster without them knowing? Them getting a refraction after the crash because they did not see your car against a similar colour background will not help you when you are dead.

Play it safe, put your lights on, it does not hurt and yes your globes don't last as long but I still get 3 years out of a quality globe, $40 every 3 years does not break the bank.

Food for thought. The hands down clear winner in the most common reason for all crashes that I attend is "I looked but I just did not see them".

Increase your chances of being seen.

By the way, lights on for me, everywhere, any conditions and any time. Our mini turns the lights on automatically when you turn the engine on and off automatically when you turn it off if the switch is on. I think the switch has been moved about twice in the 3 years we have owned it.

pauljh74 · 03-12-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plarazza

Voted no. Maybe it is proven to be safer to have them on but find it pointless. In the middle of daylight If you can't see another car because they don't have their headlights on time for a visit to the optometrist

+1,000,000

If people can't see my red Falcon at 200 metres with clear line of sight, they don't just need glasses, they need a white cane

grandpa_spec_F6 · 03-12-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljh74

+1,000,000

If people can't see my red Falcon at 200 metres with clear line of sight, they don't just need glasses, they need a white cane

-1,000,000 for me.

I own a black car, and when driving through tunnels or even shady areas you get all sort of people who don't see you. Pull up to the lights and get the usual obligatory shurg from them and an "I didn't see you there"

Franco Cozzo · 03-12-2010, 10:14 PM

Yeah i turn on the lights in my car all the time when I'm driving, if it means someone can see me better then its well worth it.

phil.50thxr6 · 03-12-2010, 10:29 PM

Never really giving it a thought when i sit in my car in the middle of the day. Overcast and rain i do. mite start doing it if it aids some idiot not merging into me

T3man · 03-12-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T2TE50#134

I voted yes for this and as far as I am concerned it should be law. I spend a lot of time on the road
and have done for a number of years and anyone who says it makes no difference is kidding themselves.
You can see an on coming car long before if it's lights are particularly if it is a silver or grey coloured car.

Absolutely.

In most European countries it is now becoming mandatory for DRLs to be fitted. The fast moving safety conscious Australian authorities will probably move to do the same in about 2020.

stev3n · 03-12-2010, 10:44 PM

I remember all motorcyclists revolted when new bikes had to have headlight on at all times. Their arguement was that, with the sun behind you, it was more visible to have your headlight OFF.

I had a few bikes over the years, some people used to pull out/ change lanes on you when you had your headlight on, or you did not, just didn't look, or indicate.

I liked to ride with headlight on unless my shadow was infront of me.

I installed a switch in the tail/brake light circuit so that I could switch off the tail light during daylight hours. I figured that it was easier for people following to notice when I braked if I was not displaying a tail light to start with. When I had the tail light switched off a small LED lit up on the dash, wouldn't see it during the day but visible at night, so never forgot to turn on tail light at night.

For the record I only use my car's light when it's dark or in poor conditions. If I was driving a dark coloured car I would always have them on

dannyhilton · 03-12-2010, 10:47 PM

I notice the new Mondeo Titanium gets DRL, but the LX and Zetec don't, looks very strange without it.

If it's raining, overcast, or I'm going through a tunnel, yep I turn the headlights on. Sunny, nope. I'm not familiar with the safety advantages of having your headlights on, but will definitely do a search and see if it's worthwhile.

bafel · 03-12-2010, 10:49 PM

Not for cars during the day in good light, unnecessary imo.

Fine for motorbikes.

XR Lita · 03-12-2010, 11:05 PM

I voted yes. My car is silver, and never gets seen. But when the headlights are on, I seem to get noticed a lot more.

sxckevo · 03-12-2010, 11:14 PM

i voted yes cause im strange and like the look of my car/other cars with headlights on lol. purely cosmetic reason

TheInterceptor · 03-12-2010, 11:18 PM

I always have them on, being a silver car (the falcon) that tends to blend in it does help. Anything that makes driving safer for myself and others is worth the effort, a small flick of the switch can save alot.

The Subaru wont alert me of the lights being on apon engine shutdown so im inclined to leave them off when i drive it, the trade off is having bright red paint and generally being uncommon so it stands out more (theoretically).

If you want to test visibility, take a drive through a narrow winding road through the mountains surrounded by forest (like the royal national park in syd), you will most defiantly see the cars with their lights on much much easier and your brain will register it much sooner than a car with them off.

SteveJH · 03-12-2010, 11:24 PM

Highway - Yes
Overcast/Rainy - Yes

In town when its sunny - No

So I ticked yes.

Mr Hardware · 03-12-2010, 11:40 PM

Poll options leave a lot to be desired.

Full Sun? No. All other times? Yes.
In the later model commodore's auto lights they have a setting for early/normal/late for when they come on
I found even the early setting was too late...

XRGhia · 03-12-2010, 11:51 PM

even though i am only ever a passenger, i will ALWAYS turn the headlights on for the driver (yes, even on a hot and sunny 25+ degree day) as the front end of my car is satin black/heritage green and is impossible to be seen.... over the years, its (the EF) has hit 130km/h at 4500rpm (on the freeway) pulling away from truck's trying to run the EF off the road about 19 times now... but with the headlights on, they seem to not do it..

Sizey · 04-12-2010, 12:10 AM

I strongly believe that all vehicles should drive with low beams and parker systems on when ignition is on!

I always have and always will. The Idiots in Adelaide always flash you during the day for having them on. then you see people during the night and bad conditions with no lights at all. Then they get flashed.......with 400 watts of light!

View Poll Results: Headlights on in the daytime
Yes	66	45.83%
No	78	54.17%
Voters: 144. You may not vote on this poll