Daytime running lights - super bright LEDS

[Garry]

A recent NRMA report has found that DRLs could prevent a quarter of all fatal daylight collisions and more than a quarter of fatal daytime pedestrian accidents.

As I've said before, you can be lit up like a council Christmas tree, even add fashing lights and sirens if you like, but if people dont actually LOOK then they will still crash into you.

As an example, as a postie I'm required to ride with my headlight on, I have a bright red bike with large fluro orange panniers on either side and I wear a high visibility green shirt and pants as well if it's raining. Basically you can see me from space. Yet people still pull out in front of me willy nilly all the time. People are just stupid and wrapped up in their own self importance.

So after my study I recommend banning stupid, self indulgent people from the road and thereby achieve a far greater drop in the road toll. But unfortunately that wont happen because most people would loose their licence.

[Old Dude]

A recent NRMA report has found that DRLs could prevent a quarter of all fatal daylight collisions and more than a quarter of fatal daytime pedestrian accidents.

So after my study I recommend banning stupid, self indulgent people from the road and thereby achieve a far greater drop in the road toll. But unfortunately that wont happen because most people would loose their licence.

If you did that then the tossers with their fog lights on would be banned

Cheers
Dale

[GP]

Studies prove the opposite which is why the mandatory lights on for bikes was repealed many years ago

[Old Dude]

If I'm doing long open road trips like Gold Coast to Sydney I always drive with my headlights on during the day, my other car is Titanium in colour and does blend into the road andI have had people coming the other way start to overtake and then realise I'm close and pull back in, that doesn't happen when I have my headlights on.
But I also don't use my Fog lights unless there is fog
Cheers
Dale

[de Bounce]

If I'm doing long open road trips like Gold Coast to Sydney I always drive with my headlights on during the day, my other car is Titanium in colour and does blend into the road and I have had people coming the other way start to overtake and then realise I'm close and pull back in, that doesn't happen when I have my headlights on.
But I also don't use my Fog lights unless there is fog
Cheers
Dale

Got to agree with Old Dude
Daytime country driving with various cars (and colours) with my lights off, I've had a number of people pull out to overtake, then do a double take and pull back in.
Also had a number pull out from side roads.
Doesn't happen when I have my headlights on.

[JBT]

^ x2

[Mr Morlock]

so why don't we drive with headlights on all the time?

A small car on a dull day can be a little difficult to spot and even larger cars in dark colours have the same problem. But having headlights on - 110watts in front and taillights on in the rear is not the ideal answer. Headllights are for projecting a light and forward vision , A day time running light has no dazzle factor and only runs 12 watts total ( mini halogen)- but you get to be seen.

[JBT]

so why don't we drive with headlights on all the time?

I don't know....maybe we should.

[ishotabear]

Daytime running lights are an amazing idea. Or any lights that are on all the time. The amount of random swerve suddenly-merge silver/gray morons driving this morning with their lights off in the pouring rain AARGH people!

[ishotabear]

Exactly. And if the bloody Merc drivers are too lazy to flick a switch when it's raining, always on DRL will fix this problem . In my experience it's Merc or Audi drivers that don't turn their lights on in the rain (not new Audi's obviously). Doesn't help that the cars are almost always gray. And merging wildly.

[bootz]

Ok, this applies to WA and I have studied this from the regs but basically:

My five has 'fog lights'
Operating 'fog lights' without hazardous conditions is illegal.
Operating 'DRL' is legal.

Now how do I change my 'fog lights' into 'DRL' and so be perfectly 'legal'

Guess what, it is a piss of proverbial - bulbs can be not over 25w & you cannot have your 'DRL' wired so the headlights can be on at the same time.

Do that and you are perfectly legal and you have some swishy DRLs.
Now all you have to do is convince Mr Plod that your foglights are actually legal DRL

Mr Morlock, am I right?

[Mr Morlock]

I do not think a fog lamp can be converted to a drls because the optics are not the same and bulbs are not compatible. It would be good if a purpose built drl could go where the fogs are mounted. Narva 71930 is a led drl but it requires an opening of 90mm which is bigger by around 10mm than the foggy. Another option is merely the strip type leds and Narva ones are around 150 x 45mm incl bracket- grille opening only choice? Maybe some other good units are available esp since it is catching on. Done well - looking like it is part of the design would be a really useful mod. Incidentally Narva and Hella units will be ADR approved so fully legal.

[PAU61L]

FOGWITS is the name I have given those that drive with their foglights on, we must pardon their lack of intelligence and consideration for other road users, (for there is nothing else we can do) they fall into the same category of those who don't turn their headlights on when it would be safer for us and them if they did. I will now get off my soapbox. Now to go and get some DRLs for my silver NB. Paul

[bootz]

I do not think a fog lamp can be converted to a drls because the optics are not the same and bulbs are not compatible. It would be good if a purpose built drl could go where the fogs are mounted. Narva 71930 is a led drl but it requires an opening of 90mm which is bigger by around 10mm than the foggy. Another option is merely the strip type leds and Narva ones are around 150 x 45mm incl bracket- grille opening only choice? Maybe some other good units are available esp since it is catching on. Done well - looking like it is part of the design would be a really useful mod. Incidentally Narva and Hella units will be ADR approved so fully legal.

Thank you, Mr Morlock.

The law however does not care about functional optics or the type of bulb less than 25W. Also the requirement for running lights not to be on simultaneously with headlights is more for night time running (where two sets of lights may dazzle), not day time. You may still have the parkers and DRLs on simultaneously.

Bit of a nuisance that Narvas dont fit into the foglight well.

[dave2221]

i dont know what the fuss with fog lights are about

i OFTEN drive with my parkers and fog lights on when its raining in the daytime.

Night time i use the fogs and headlights in the rain..... i find it helps spot the pot holes and puddles easier.

I find the fog lights to be a useful light, as they clearly show anyone oncoming that i am there, without having the light "dazzle" their eyes.

i would be happy to run around all day with my parking lights and foggies on.... i think it looks neat, while giving added safety bonus.

at night however, i unless the conditions are adverse, i try to not use them, as i dont like the idea of 2 sets of forward facing lamps...

so really i sometimes (not usually) use them as DRL....... saved myself the cost of installing seperate lights.