Driving with your lights ON - Yes or No?

[michaelphillips]

The Nexus always has its headlight on, which personally i would always have on anyway.. even in the 70`s i used to ride with my lights on... a weird thing happened the other day... i was bringing my missus home from work.. just a casual ride.. a man in his late 40`s , i would say.. overtook me on his what looked like a honda cb400, no lights ON, i carried on, right at roundabout and then 400 yards down the rode i saw his bike on the floor with a cars front stuck to it... he was up and limping as they tried to reverse the car off his bike i stopped and asked him if he was ok.. he replied yes, i wasnt going fast, she just pulled out of that bloody junction as i was already there, i had no chance of swerving.. she said i didn`t see you.. he was ok and as i didnt see it, so i could not be a witness.. so off i popped. being a car driver myself also, it drew to my attention that i always (99%) stop at T junctions, people are in such a rush these days and have a quick look while still in momentum,

So what`s your verdict... do you ride your scoot with your lights ON .. if not WHY.. and have i converted anyone

[gn2]

Mine are on permanently, there's no off switch.
I always ride with dipped headlights anyway.
My current pet hate are the new HID lights and super bright LED daytime running lights, I absoulutely can't stand them.
Oh and invisicators, the big chrome surrounds with a feeble orange bulb in the centre.
Can be impossible to see in bright sunlight.
And stupid concentric combined tail and indicator lights as seen on modern buses, hate those too.

[Dave Weller]

If the 'T' junction has hashed lines you should not stop at it, if it is safe to proceed, it is safer to keep moving slowly looking properly, the accidents tend to happen when drivers stop, apply hand brake then start looking.
I have just fitted day light LED's to my old bikes, because of this type of problem.

[SpikeOne]

The only light drivers ever see in the main beam.
I've got all sorts of clever illumination on the front of mine, decked out like a christmas tree it is, and I don't reckon that they're noticeable enough.
So, it's main beam during daylight hours for me - always.
I have even been pulled by the rozzers before now for this, but fuck 'em, I'd rather stay alive thank you very much.
So I make my apologies, and then once around the corner, back up they go.

[poldark]

Mine are on permanently, there's no off switch.
I always ride with dipped headlights anyway.
My current pet hate are the new HID lights and super bright LED daytime running lights, I absoulutely can't stand them.
Oh and invisicators, the big chrome surrounds with a feeble orange bulb in the centre.
Can be impossible to see in bright sunlight.
And stupid concentric combined tail and indicator lights as seen on modern buses, hate those too.

Agreed, also just like VW use on Passats, really hard to see them - that's if anyone actually bother to indicate anyway!

[StephenC]

Dipped lights, yes but not main. When I have someone come up behind me with mains on I personally find it very distracting so I pull my mirrors in - whether in the car or on the scoot. If the person wants to try and pass, then it's up to them to make it safely, I can't help.

I have also seen a couple of people filtering in the morning at the bottom of the M11 with hazards on. From my observations, drivers don't notice them anymore than usual, but it does seem to enable the riders to filter through 40mph traffic at 60+. So it must be useful, somehow.

[michaelphillips]

Dipped lights, yes but not main. When I have someone come up behind me with mains on I personally find it very distracting so I pull my mirrors in - whether in the car or on the scoot. If the person wants to try and pass, then it's up to them to make it safely, I can't help.

I have also seen a couple of people filtering in the morning at the bottom of the M11 with hazards on. From my observations, drivers don't notice them anymore than usual, but it does seem to enable the riders to filter through 40mph traffic at 60+. So it must be useful,
somehow.

i would never filter above crawling speed on my school route am - its either an irate driver doing a u turn and gotta watch for the kids

[Zed]

When in the cage i've had bikers come towards me with hi-beams on while going around a corner, been dazzled, and had to be careful with my positioning or i'd be off, or into them.
But i would agree generally dipped beams all the time.

On the bicycle i put the lights on whenever it's dim. So dusk/dawn, but also cloudy and overcast. If it's bright sunlight, i dont think it makes much difference really.

[MrGrumpy]

Veering off at a tangent...I came across a candidate for the most idiotic crotch rocket rider of the year award.. His crotch rocket had twin headlights, over which he'd put RED covers. I'm sure thats illegal as red lights are supposed to signify the rear end of the bike - it certainly confused me as I was waiting to turn into a main road and saw a pair of red lights approaching me!!!

[Deeping]

I have also seen a couple of people filtering in the morning at the bottom of the M11 with hazards on. From my observations, drivers don't notice them anymore than usual, but it does seem to enable the riders to filter through 40mph traffic at 60+. So it must be useful, somehow.

if it helps
Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.
Law RVLR reg 27