Politics1 min ago
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The Highway code says: (Rule 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'
In fact you can even drive legally at night on side lights. in an area with street lighting, although I can't see why anyone would.
In my view, if it is poor enough to reach for the light switch then you should go the whole hog and switch to dipped.
The Highway code says: (Rule 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'
In fact you can even drive legally at night on side lights. in an area with street lighting, although I can't see why anyone would.
In my view, if it is poor enough to reach for the light switch then you should go the whole hog and switch to dipped.
The main reason for insisting on headlights rather than sidelights isn't so that you can see better, it's so that other drivers can see you.
This is especially relevant for drivers of trucks and buses, whose mirrors are on the outside of their vehicle, normally right at the front, above the front wheels. This means that any spray, salt, mud and other road dirt gets flung up onto them. We do have heaters that dry them, but that just dries the dirt on. You can reach the ones nearest you with a cloth, but not the passenger siide ones.
Do you feel safe overtaking, or being overtaken by, somebody who, through no fault of his own, can't necessarily see your car. Turn them on, it's safer.
Happy motoring
Cheers
This is especially relevant for drivers of trucks and buses, whose mirrors are on the outside of their vehicle, normally right at the front, above the front wheels. This means that any spray, salt, mud and other road dirt gets flung up onto them. We do have heaters that dry them, but that just dries the dirt on. You can reach the ones nearest you with a cloth, but not the passenger siide ones.
Do you feel safe overtaking, or being overtaken by, somebody who, through no fault of his own, can't necessarily see your car. Turn them on, it's safer.
Happy motoring
Cheers
Highway code rule 113
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)
Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).
From that I conclude that if it's just dull it's ok, but if visibility is seriously reduced, i.e. fog, heavy rain, snow, etc then you should use headlights.
Interestingly the 2nd bullet point from that rule appears to say that it is perfectly legal to drive on sidelights at night on a lit street with a 30mph or less speed limit!
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)
Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).
From that I conclude that if it's just dull it's ok, but if visibility is seriously reduced, i.e. fog, heavy rain, snow, etc then you should use headlights.
Interestingly the 2nd bullet point from that rule appears to say that it is perfectly legal to drive on sidelights at night on a lit street with a 30mph or less speed limit!