Law change - Daytime headlights and ban on handheld devices

**sunhuntin** · 13th August 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by xgnr

Now you will have to prove you had your light on when the tosser crashes into you.

there are tests that can be done on lights that can tell whether they were on or not at the time of an accident. the wires inside react differently i think.

this new law makes me glad my light is hardwired. i often forgot about the lights on the ginnys.

**CookMySock** · 13th August 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by ukusa

Have they been deemed to be not dangerous to dial?

Nah they have been deemed to be ineffective.

Our 250 learner bikes have a light switch, so it is possible to actually turn the lights off completely - inadvertently making the bike non-legal, and in my opinion, non-safe.

I'm going to try making a relay harness that runs off the stator. The idea is the lights come on and stay on when the engine starts, regardless of the position of the light switch. If the rider wants the lights on with the engine stopped, they just flick the switch on, or else leave it on auto.

Steve

**Naki Rat** · 13th August 2009, 19:05

Originally Posted by Max Preload

......Easiest way to prevent the he said/she said would be have an automatic headlight relay that by-passes the switch if your bike isn't always lights on from factory.

Permanently on headlights are a pain in the arse and at times potentially hazardous. My current employer has recently had the company vehicles modified to be 'full time lights on' as a large client of ours demands this of all contractors

The result is that it is no longer possible to 'flash' other motorists to alert them to hazards or to signal them that you intend to let them into traffic. Flicking from low to high beam in daylight just doesn't cut it like a full on/off, and besides one of the vehicles is permanently on low beam by default anyway. My solution has been to select the Park setting when driving but a mediocre solution at best

Net result of making everybody drive with lights on permanently is that the intended point of difference eventually is lost. So what then, fit all vehicles with flashing beacons? And the population just gets dumberer and dumberer

Having said that though I will be continuing to ride with lights always on and hopefully there will be less tossers out there to dodge as they piss about with their phones. Cellphone ban is spot on

**sunhuntin** · 13th August 2009, 19:06

ive found when riding, if there are other vehicles around me with their lights on, im more likely to be pulled out on. strange, and i dont know why, but thats how it seems to be. i always think what others around me would like in terms of visibility, and i try to accomodate that by shifting in my lane to where ever seems to make their visibility easier.
i find it the same when looking down a long straight in town. if the only lights oncoming are scooters, i can see them blocks away. if there are cars with lights, the scooter is harder to pick. on the street im thinking, i have perfect visibility for long distance. im thinking those from side streets, their visibility would be more than halved.

**dmc** · 13th August 2009, 19:11

So having your lights on is going to make people better riders?

Or the inept car drivers will not run you down because you have your headlight on? They struggle to keep their cars on the road so your headlight isn't going to make much difference in them hitting you.

**Hitcher** · 13th August 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

and Rear Fog lights on eurotrash cars!? Turn the fuckin thing off !

That got another hobby horse of mine really excited. Its nostrils are flaring in anticipation. Rear foglights and car headlights on during daylight are the motoring equivalent of a fluoro vest.

**Ragingrob** · 13th August 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by Aaron_newrider

There are much more important motorcycle laws that need to be changed, other the "ride with your headlight on". Such as the 70k Learner rule and more rider training laws for younger riders.

My 2c.

Older riders don't need training?

**CookMySock** · 13th August 2009, 19:17

Originally Posted by Spyke

lets all keep the headlights on full all the time untill they realise it just causes more shit.

Have you tried this? Go out on a sunny day and leave your headlights on fullbeam (for purely scientific purposes only!) and ride for three hours. I bet you don't get one complaint.

Originally Posted by Max Preload

Easiest way to prevent the he said/she said would be have an automatic headlight relay that by-passes the switch if your bike isn't always lights on from factory.

I'm gunna make one.

Originally Posted by MSTRS

If 'they' are not looking now, what makes you think a headlight on will make them look in future?

What if you get a welder and put a headlamp reflector on it? Do you think that would not be instantly obvious to everyone remotely in line of sight to it? Welcome to HID - well into the "WTF is that?" category, and guaranteed to alert any half-asleep cager.

Steve

**Hitcher** · 13th August 2009, 19:20

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

I think it's a good thing, but just like any law, it'll be broken. At least now, if an accident is caused because someone is on their phone or texting, then the cops have another law to ping them on. Not that they didn't before!

It's too late. Cellphones and texting are now an essential part of many people's lives -- they expect to be immediately contactable and can't imagine life without this amenity. I don't expect to see any statistically significant reduction in road accidents or deaths after 1 November. This is dumb law.

**Aaron_newrider** · 13th August 2009, 19:24

Older riders do need training, yes, but older riders don't think they are invincible (usually?) and don't do dumb immature shit

If we make the teenagers actually train to ride a motorcycle before we let them loose on the road there wouldn't be so many who think the are invincible.

**Voltaire** · 13th August 2009, 19:35

I was in Ireland when they introduced a hand held phone ban, mobile companies made lots selling hands free kits.
I don't think it makes any difference whether you are holding it or not, its the distraction of your mind being elsewhere that is the problem.

Interestingly they banned smoking in the workplace at around the same time...technically truck drivers could be fined...then sent to jail....where they could smoke as much as they liked as jails were exempt.

**StoneY** · 13th August 2009, 19:43

Originally Posted by Naki Rat

Permanently on headlights are a pain in the arse and at times potentially hazardous.

Net result of making everybody drive with lights on permanently is that the intended point of difference eventually is lost.

I believe the headlight law refers to only bikes? (may be mistaken....)

Originally Posted by Hitcher

It's too late. Cellphones and texting are now an essential part of many people's lives -- they expect to be immediately contactable and can't imagine life without this amenity. I don't expect to see any statistically significant reduction in road accidents or deaths after 1 November. This is dumb law.

So doing nothing about the under 25's who I see in 400hp rotaries, head down texting at 120kmh on the motorway is preferable? Sorry bro, im on the side of this new law, its a good un

Just coz they're now essential life accessories don't mean you and I should tolerate being placed at risk by texting drivers - its a genuine effort on behalf of the man for once, half assed or not

**PrincessBandit** · 13th August 2009, 19:46

Originally Posted by Rayray401

Just to make this clear, they do mean that as long as you talk on speakerphone/handsfree system its still ok right?

I imagine the test is is the phone still in your hand, even if it's not up to your ear? I use the earbuds which came with my phone sometimes, and can voice activate my phone to accept or decline calls (imagine that many peoples' can). I honestly can't see how this could be considered a hazard as it's no different from driving with a car full of distracting fighting kids in the back seat, or a talkative passenger in the front with you.

I have no hesitation in saying to the other person "hold on just have to .......[whatever].."

**Hitcher** · 13th August 2009, 19:55

Originally Posted by StoneY

So doing nothing about the under 25's who I see in 400hp rotaries, head down texting at 120kmh on the motorway is preferable?

Please explain how the new law will do anything to meaningfully address the problem you've outlined? First they have to get caught, at which point they'll cop an instant fine for $80 and 20 demerits.

I don't buy the "But it's a start" or "It's better than doing nothing" arguments.

Don't misunderstand, I don't approve of cellphone use or texting while driving (even though I have on a couple of occasions indulged in the former). I just don't support dumb law that can't be effectively enforced or which will have little effect on changing people's behaviour.