Drivers urged to light up

[oneofsix]

Had to happen I guess. They make it law that we have to have our headlights on to make us more visible and now someone wants to make us invisible again. Oh well I guess it is only the Waikato

Waikato road users are being urged to drive with their headlights on at all times over the winter months.

The call comes as the region's Reduce the Risk road safety campaign kicks into gear.

Waikato Regional Council road safety co-ordinator Monique Haines is asking all road users, including truck and car drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians to make sure they are visible day and night.

[steve_t]

Motorcyclists are never considered, it's just the way it is.

Living in foggy Hamiltron, we had a few mornings of dense fog last month. The people who tend to not turn their lights on at all in heavy fog seem to be people in silver or white cars

What I'd really love to see is the media headlining something like "Motorists urged to use their indicators correctly"

[Scuba_Steve]

haven't been up that way in awhile have you??? They've been doing it for awhile, they've got those stupid roadside billboards and all (some even make it sound like it's already law up there) & quite often you'll see some idiot following this advice too

[Scuba_Steve]

What I'd really love to see is the media headlining something like "Motorists urged to use their indicators correctly"

I'd rather see "Motorists urged to learn how to drive", or even better "Motorist now have to know how to drive before being allowed on the road"

[oneofsix]

I'd rather see "Motorists urged to learn how to drive", or even better "Motorist now have to know how to drive before being allowed on the road"

you don't have to know how to drive but lord help you if you make a mistake following the testers direction even if you do it all legally and safely.

He failed his full licence test less than two minutes after it began when he accidentally took the first left turn when he had been instructed to take the second left turn upon beginning the test.

The tester told him the test was terminated for his "failure to carry out instruction for turning", even though he had not broken any rules and had performed the turn safely and correctly.

Knew this new harder testing wouldn't be about safer driving, its all about more $ for the testing company.

any way back to the lights. Light cars don't turn them on in fog, drizzle etc and dark cars don't use them at dusk or dawn. actually know of a person who uses his lights according to the clock and not the conditions and tries to limit there use as they run his battery down, according to him.

The French bikers protested when they tried to make all vehicles use their lights all the time over there. Can't see that happening in apathetic NZ

[imac]

And don't forget the retards in Grey or Silver cars driving around at dusk without their lights on. Those cars blend in exactly with the road and horizon. The moron I berated on Friday said there was heaps of light and didn't need their lights on to see.
I ask you

[manxkiwi]

While they're there, they should get the brain doners to leave their rear facing fog lights off at night when it's completely clear. Dazzling people at night is way more dangerous, would land you a ticket in other countries too.

Nearly always seems to be BMW drivers too, I've noticed.

Thanks for putting up with my short rant!

[craigdek]

See you guys have the same problem here as elsewhere. BMW indicators are optional extra no one pays for.

[Maha]

Had to happen I guess. They make it law that we have to have our headlights on to make us more visible and now someone wants to make us invisible again. Oh well I guess it is only the Waikato

The reason behind that is...per sq/km, there is more fog in the Waikato than any other region in NZ on more days than any other region in NZ.

[JimO]

since the headlight law came in most bikes i see dont have them switched on

[slofox]

I've already emailed the lady concerned, pointing out the possible disadvantage to motorcyclists if everyone turns on their lights. Be interesting to see if she has anything to say about it.

I meantasay, it's a bit like fluoro vests now, innit - there are so many of them out there that they don't stand out any more.

[Berries]

The reason behind that is...per sq/km, there is more fog in the Waikato than any other region in NZ on more days than any other region in NZ.

Is that because Hamilton sucks?

[slofox]

Is that because Hamilton sucks?

It's coz it doesn't blow...

[Maha]

Is that because Hamilton sucks?

See Below...

It's coz it doesn't blow...

Ya beat me too it...

[slofox]

OK y'all. I got a reply from the lady responsible for this initiative. Reads as follows:



"I can understand your position as a fellow motorcyclist myself, in our family we also ensure that we ride with our headlights on (as well as wearing a fluro vest) so that we are highly visible to all other motorists.

For any road user being visible (as well as adjusting to the road and traffic conditions) is an effective way of reducing their risk on the road - this is also something which the AA recommends.

I appreciate your concern that perhaps motorcycles won’t perhaps be as visible if all motorists turn their headlights on but rest assured we have considered all road users as part of this campaign. This is just one thing that all motorists can do to make themselves more visible to all whether you are riding a motorcycle or driving a car.

As you can appreciate from a regional perspective we have campaigns for heavy motor vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, fleet drivers and more, this winter campaign is a message for all. As for motorcycles you may be interested in a motorcycle course which is being held at Taupo Motorsport Park next month – check out the events tab on our website – www.reducetherisk.co.nz"


Which is pretty much what i would have expected. I shall dream up a suitable reply in due course.