Headlights in the wet

[The BigFella]

This subject is extremely close to my heart.
Last week when driving down from Brisbane I was almost involved in a head on with an idiot in a grey vehicle with no lights on.
Let me paint the picture, the rain was heavy, it was extremely dark with storm clouds over head, the road spray made visibility extremely poor.
We were traversing single lane road when all of a sudden out of nowhere I was presented with an on coming dark grey falcon dead centre of my bullbar, heading my way!
Now, due to serving in the RFS and visiting more then my fare share of MVA's I have a phobia of dying in a head-on and am always scanning on-coming traffic.
If I hadn't have taken immediate evasive action, (swerved off the road, hit the brakes and tried to control both my vehicle and loaded car trailer) I doubt I would be typing this today.
The driver was busy adjusting the stereo or some other task they deemed more important than focussing on the road in front.

My point, if their lights had have been on "they" would have been a lot more visible to all others on the road. And I would have taken the necessary action before panic buttons were pushed!

I agree with 4 ways on in extreme fog conditions, after-all limited or no vision in thick fog is a hazard! I might add here that many a MVA was caused by a slower vehicle being rear ended in thick fog!

The only thing I will say about "being seen" is for Christ sake turn those bloody factory fog lights OFF!
They are so bloody bright and most are focussed upwards, rather then "under the fog' which is what they were originally designed to do.
As you guys know I average 200,000 k's per year and the amount of times I am forced to turn my eyes away from oncoming traffic due to their fog lights being on really is quite dangerous.

Cheers Guys, safe travels!

[Alitis007]

I completely understand.
a hazard is a hazard.
your trying to be more visible all good I see your point.
I'm just trying to put a point of view across, not everyone thinks the same way.
yes trying to stand out is always a good idea

but the thing is, your also trying to maintain a higher speed, by using the hazard lights.
the first thing that should be happening is to slow down further.
a pair of lights that main purpose is another purpose, isn't the answer.

it may also contributed to an accident, as clear signals are not necessarily given.
we cant have people doing three different things with the same lights.
bet you wont have time to turn hazards off and then indicate,
I back your idea of increasing safety.
I'm the guy who see's first hand these things go pear shaped you don't want to see what I see.
I to have a family, drive and look at this from all points of view, including the aftermath.

Giving this more thought, hows this.
I'm simply putting it forward that the old idea of using hazard lights is simply, an old out-dated idea.

Car manufactures in Australia need to include a rear fog light as standard, on all model cars they make.
they can include blue tooth, multiple expensive air bags , multi spear packages etc.
But not a simple and CHEAP safety device.

Forget the argument not all places have fog.
not all places flood either, but flood insurance is now a law.
seat belts were made standard and fitted to all cars
not everyone will have an accident, so the seat belt does what.

Now if it was that simple you would think our insurances company's would push it, not all places have fog, and replacing a light damaged in an accident in clear weather, which is the norm, cuts corporate profit and managements bonuses.
it always comes down to the bottom line and safety is always left wanting!!.

We need a new Australian standard.
Bright Red Fog light made mandatory, for all vehicles sold in Australia.
and an up grade fitted to vehicles on our Rd's in say a 2 yr time frame.
That may save some lives, forget all the other bonuses, will save lives is the objective.
some of us think nothing of buying a extra safety this or that to go off rd 4x4ing.
Ohh what a pain fitting a $50 light.
carton of beer or bottle of scotch these days.
cheap to improve safety really.

Cheers and safe driving.

Mate we have to use the tools we have and as its been said before driving in thick fog is a hazard in it self, slowing down in these conditions makes you the hazard so how is using the hazard lights in fog 2 meanings?? Isn't being broken down on the side of the road just as dangerous as driving in fog or heavy rain with alot of spray off other vehicles??

Mate i'm not targeting you in any way just trying to make my point clear just incase i wasn't in my other post!

[thelawz]

Some people don't understand that just because you can see where you are going, it doesn't mean other drivers can see you.

[BoojaBear]

I work in the mines and all cars have there lights wired up so if the engine is running then the lights are on.
If the mines can make it a blanket rule. So can the government

[threedogs]

I always turn at least park light on if raining then on hwy or Freeway where spray is more common I'll turn headlights on.
Last 4x4 was white and big {troopy} be seen be safe . My Patrol is Pewter with a dark metalic grey bullbar etc, exactely the same
colour as a wet road. I want ppl to see me, Shame some ppl cant see the issue here. Should be manditory to turn some lights on in dark conditions.

[taslucas]

I work in the mines and all cars have there lights wired up so if the engine is running then the lights are on.
If the mines can make it a blanket rule. So can the government

But there's nothing worse than a shite load of glare when you're trying to focus on an oncoming vehicle and it's movements. It's easier to spot a car further away if it has its lights on but very hard to actually see the car when it gets closer. All you see is a bright glare that you instinctively look away from. In rain and lower light, go for the park lights , leave the headlights for dark time

Sig test. android, MC version 2.4.7.11

[SonOf]

I think in seriously thick fog, and we get heaps of it hear in far south Tassie that hazard light make it easier to see someone in front of you & more importantly let someone who seems to think doing 100kph in fog is fine, see you.

The one thing that is really annoying, no matter the weather are cars with light that are out of adjustment and focus right at eye sight level, whether they are HID or Halogen the glare is just plain annoying and dangerous. Not sure why when you get a service that the lights are not checked for adjustment?

[Cuppa]

White is good, but I believe the safest most visible colour for motor vehicles is bright yellow.

Of course to be seen, whatever colour the vehicle, or whether the lights are on or not requires other drivers to be alert & aware of what is going on around them. Not always the case unfortunately .... just try riding a motorcycle & you quickly appreciate this.

Cuppa

[gaddy]

Looks like we are in for a wet easter up this way , get em on and drive safe !

[threedogs]

Looks like we are in for a wet easter up this way , get em on and drive safe !

Yes even on long hwy hauls its a good idea to put some lights on, You may notice buses do it.
and for a good reason to be seen, Ive ridden bikes most of my life and always had the headlight on.
I couldnt believe the Motorcycle association did not want it to be manditory no brainer for me be seen be safe .
Also Ive been told driving with the lights on give you negitive charging to a certain extent,
maybe ET could shine some light on that comment. Maybe more old school thinking

Remember there will be a lot of part time drivers on the road over Easter, as in its the
only time of the year they do any hwy miles, just stay safe and take heaps of pcs