headlamps on

[t&s]

One for discussion
Do you agree with the proposed change in the law saying we must use Headlamps all the time?
My personal view is I think sidelights should be enough to satisfy most.
This would distinguish between motorbikes And all other vehicles I agree motorbikes should use headlights.
Reason I think like this is taken from my experience of driving in countries where it is compulsory
I.e. when driving in Denmark where headlamps are compulsory you only notice the vehicles WITHOUT lights on
They say there that it has cut down on accidents in Denmark since it was introduced ….
I suppose new batteries and alternators will be needed every year if it is made law ?

In the same context yellow high vis vests (the yellow fluorescent ones) or coats compulsory in lots of Factories and factory yards I see them everywhere and have to wear one my self sometimes to get
Access to some places i deliver but again you don’t see the persons with yellow jackets You only notice the ones who DON’T have them.
Has health and safety gone mad. May be all pedestrians should wear them?
So we drivers can see them ?

 

[Biker Jeff]

Making headlights compulsory on cars, will affect us motorcyclists, of that i am certain.
I've been a biker for 30 years, and i know for a fact that we seem to be invisible when we dont have headlights on. If all traffic has headlights on, we will just blend in with everything else. Us bikers & cyclists are the most vulnerable of all road users, that is why we make ourselves more conspicuous by having headlights on. In fact all motorcycles for the past few years dont even have a light switch, the headlights come on automatically when the ignition is on. Because of our vunerability, we deserve to have the right to make us stand out from other traffic.
When the uncommon becomes commonplace, the eye starts to either ignore it, or at least place no importance on it.
You cannot ignore something the size of another car, but its easy to ignore somthing as small as a motorcycle. We need to be able to stand out for our safety.
I have also noticed how Hi Viz jackets do not seem so conspicuous these days. They are worn by Lorry drivers, warehouse staff, cyclists, dog walkers, school children, road workers.... The list is endless.
This only proves the point that when something becomes common, it loses its status of standing out.

 

[Yogihughes]

I agree in principle with the previous posts comments but there are those who will insist on driving along with sidelights on (or none at all ) when weather conditions call for a minimum of Dipped Headlights.
I found that whenever I had occasion to switch on my windscreen wipers in America then the Dipped Headlights automatically came on.
My first vehicle was a Triumph Cub (1961) so I know what bikers have to face although I would say that it is a lot worse for them now with the added amount of traffic on the road these days.

 

[tigger]

I too have done many miles on motorbikes and agree with the above. Something else to consider, with the government and every other authority trying so hard to be green does it not seem odd that they want to impose something that will use much more fuel. OK the mpg increase is only slight per vehicle, but multiply that by the millions of cars on the road and suddenly it smacks of yet another stealth tax

 

[terry1956]

headlights

Hi all, As a biker I to just can,t see the point, but I also notice that in countries were this law is enforce a lot of drivers just don,t use their lights.
Its just madness that should be stopped at birth, The next thing will be driving on the LHD.
terry

 

[Trevor]

I would agree if it was proven to save life, if not then i don't see the point.

 

[t&s]

I agree in principle with the previous posts comments but there are those who will insist on driving along with sidelights on (or none at all ) when weather conditions call for a minimum of Dipped Headlights.
I found that whenever I had occasion to switch on my windscreen wipers in America then the Dipped Headlights automatically came on.
My first vehicle was a Triumph Cub (1961) so I know what bikers have to face although I would say that it is a lot worse for them now with the added amount of traffic on the road these days.

hi
as a former biker headlight use in 2008 is a must but not for all other road users
the use of sidelights on any vehicle is at the drivers discresion. not compulsory
i cant understand why some people put there headlamps on at the first sign of rain that is not bad visibility!

the highway code calls for :
copied from The Highway Code

113-116: Lighting requirements

You MUST
• ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
• use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.
• These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
• use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226)
226-237: Driving in adverse weather conditions
226
You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced,
generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet).
You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).
i see nowt wrong with these rules as they are
it might be my age that makes me see things this in this way
in my youth lights were for seeing where you were going in the dark
and not warning drivers that need glasses that i was on the road

 

[Deleted member 2636]

I like the comments about Fluro jackets.
On another forum some one said that he had buried his dog in the town centre park. When asked how he had got away with it he said that he had worn a Fluro jacket because no-one takes any notice of some one wearing one

 

[kell]

hi

the highway code calls for :
copied from The Highway Code

113-116: Lighting requirements

You MUST
• ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
• use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.

I understood that driving a vehicle with sidelights on but without headlights on is illegal, day or night. That you must have either headlights or no lights on a moving vehicle and that 'sidelights' are in fact parking lights. Iv'e no idea where I got that from though.

However some cars, such as Saab and Volvo have what appear to be sidelights on when the ignition is on but they call them 'Driving' lights.
Confused????

My own opinion is that if visibility is poor enough to need any lights then you need headlights!

 

[Belgian]

I understood that driving a vehicle with sidelights on but without headlights on is illegal, day or night. That you must have either headlights or no lights on a moving vehicle and that 'sidelights' are in fact parking lights.

However some cars, such as Saab and Volvo have what appear to be sidelights on when the ignition is on but they call them 'Driving' lights.
Confused????

In those Scandinavian countries those 'driving lights' are only for the daytime.
Headlights= night. Of course in those countries the daylight is turned off half of the year. To make headlights compulsory in daytime in West Europe is just one step too far - motocycles will no longer be noticed.

 

[Biker Jeff]

I can foresee exactly what will happen if this legislation come in.
Motorcycle injuries and fatalities will rise, and it will give yet more ammunition to the government to force unwanted legislation on us.
I can remember back in the 80s, the transport minister at the time tried to make Hi Viz clothing and Leg Protectors fitted to all motorcycles compulsory. They are already talking about a maximum BHP limit for motorcycles. It will just be an excuse to take away more of our freedoms and rights in this Health & Safety obsessed society.
The Motorcycle Action Group and The British Motorcycle Federation (Of which i am a member) will be fighting this legislation vorciferously. As we have fought every other motorcycle legislation that threatens our chosen mode of transport.

 

[t&s]

I understood that driving a vehicle with sidelights on but without headlights on is illegal, day or night. That you must have either headlights or no lights on a moving vehicle and that 'sidelights' are in fact parking lights. Iv'e no idea where I got that from though.

However some cars, such as Saab and Volvo have what appear to be sidelights on when the ignition is on but they call them 'Driving' lights.
Confused????

My own opinion is that if visibility is poor enough to need any lights then you need headlights!

i think that is why they include this bit in the highway code :

You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced,
generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet).
as you say it makes sence

 

[Trevor]

I can foresee exactly what will happen if this legislation come in.
Motorcycle injuries and fatalities will rise, and it will give yet more ammunition to the government to force unwanted legislation on us.
I can remember back in the 80s, the transport minister at the time tried to make Hi Viz clothing and Leg Protectors fitted to all motorcycles compulsory. They are already talking about a maximum BHP limit for motorcycles. It will just be an excuse to take away more of our freedoms and rights in this Health & Safety obsessed society.
The Motorcycle Action Group and The British Motorcycle Federation (Of which i am a member) will be fighting this legislation vorciferously. As we have fought every other motorcycle legislation that threatens our chosen mode of transport.

Good post Jeff and well put if you want to get a petition going i will sign it.

 

[Biker Jeff]

Cheers Trev for the offer of support.
Any lobbying to Government that will done by the MAG or the BMF i will post on this thread as an update.

 

[Trevor]

Cheers Trev for the offer of support.
Any lobbying to Government that will done by the MAG or the BMF i will post on this thread as an update.

Nice one i hope it has some impact