Night time driving

[george formby]

Jeez, theirs some tripe in the media. It's habitual in a lot of Middle Eastern countries to drive at night with the headlights switched off so they wear there bulbs out. Bloody terrifying!

Admittedly a straight road in the desert is a bit different.

Gawd, just engage brain before starting.

[Road kill]

Jeez, theirs some tripe in the media. It's habitual in a lot of Middle Eastern countries to drive at night with the headlights switched off so they wear there bulbs out. Bloody terrifying!

Admittedly a straight road in the desert is a bit different.

Gawd, just engage brain before starting.

My boss is like that,,doesn't like seeing the truck lights on during the day because it might strain the charging system.

Wouldn't be an issue,,,if it was his fucking truck.

[awa355]

That's the solution ... lower the speed limit by 20 km's after sunset.

Problem solved ...

Can you imagine the money made from speeding fines if the limit was down to 80kph after dark

I travel to and from work each night and the number of cars on the road with one headlight not working is amazing. The end result of having headlights worth $3-500, although most would only be a blown bulb. Most, would only bother to replace the knackered light/bulb at wof time. ( one downside to proposed longer wof timeframes).

[darkwolf]

A workmate of mine just replaced a HID bulb in his car - $250 for new, 2nd hand $80. I wondered why I saw so many later model cars driving with a headlight out but now I think I get it, they don't want to pay $250 for a part on their $10K car - makes perfect sense

[FJRider]

Can you imagine the money made from speeding fines if the limit was down to 80kph after dark

I travel to and from work each night and the number of cars on the road with one headlight not working is amazing. The end result of having headlights worth $3-500, although most would only be a blown bulb. Most, would only bother to replace the knackered light/bulb at wof time. ( one downside to proposed longer wof timeframes).

What many may not realise ... not having a vehicle up to WoF standard can get them a fine ... and demerits. ($150 & 10 Demerits currently ... I think) No lengthening of WoF periods will change that. It may even see an increase in the existing fines/demerits if those periods are increased.

Most night time accidents can be put down to out-driving their headlights. The short delay as the brain deciphers what the eye's see ahead .. until the foot hits the brake, makes the braking distance required to stay safe is just too far.

Try it yourself ... by counting off TWO seconds (as per the two second rule) from first seeing a given point on (the side of) the road ahead ...at night. An unfamiliar road is a good way to demonstrate this. It may suprise you.

[awa355]

Once apon a time, you could go into the local sv stn and pick up a standard 5" or 7" headlight unit for $35. It fitted most cars. A different era admittidly, but shows how complicated and expensive, basic auto features have become.

I would hate having to replace some of the headlights on newer sportsbikes.

[Gremlin]

I would hate having to replace some of the headlights on newer sportsbikes.

Not just sportsbikes... the headlight on my GSA costs around $800 I think. Free under warranty though (haha BMW).

[scumdog]

That's the solution ... lower the speed limit by 20 km's after sunset.

Problem solved ...

They do that in other countries (Canada for one) so it's not as 'out-there' as it may seem.

[caspernz]

That's the solution ... lower the speed limit by 20 km's after sunset.

Problem solved ...

The other approach would be to ride/drive to the conditions wouldn't it? Seems to have worked for me for the last 3 or so million clicks...

[FJRider]

The other approach would be to ride/drive to the conditions wouldn't it? Seems to have worked for me for the last 3 or so million clicks...

Climate control makes conditions INSIDE the vehicles perfectly ok ... perhaps remove heaters from vehicles ... and the coldness may alert drivers that the conditions OUTSIDE the vehicles are less than perfect.

I am sure the Site Popo's will confirm ... many will stick to 100 kms/hr, regardless of night or day. Hot or cold .... gravel road or seal.



"But officer ... I wasn't speeding ... "

[SMOKEU]

The kaffir taxis in South Africa are driven by incompetent monkeys who are worse than almost anything I've seen here when it comes to their shocking driving. Worst part is that many of them are packing heat, too.

[Akzle]

Not just sportsbikes... the headlight on my GSA costs around $800 I think. Free under warranty though (haha BMW).

nevermind that. the one on the john deere is 3 grand.

The kaffir taxis in South Africa are driven by incompetent monkeys who are worse than almost anything I've seen here when it comes to their shocking driving. Worst part is that many of them are packing heat, too.

because a) that's entirely relevant to this conversation. b) you've been to africa c) you just love using racial slurs, innit.
(kaffir is like nigger. it's not really offensive unless you're ignorant.)

[bogan]

I am sure the Site Popo's will confirm ... many will stick to 100 kms/hr, regardless of night or day. Hot or cold .... gravel road or seal.

Is it any wonder though? the amount of focus on the '10kmhr over kills' message without regard to the conditions, suggests the conditions are not as important as the speed.

[FJRider]

Is it any wonder though? the amount of focus on the '10kmhr over kills' message without regard to the conditions, suggests the conditions are not as important as the speed.

I've been overtaken in fog (at 80 km's/hr) so thick ... I couldn't see from one marker post to the next in the Cromwell gorge.

Whatever's the limit ... that's the speed they travel.

[bogan]

I've been overtaken in fog (at 80 km's/hr) so thick ... I couldn't see from one marker post to the next in the Cromwell gorge.

Whatever's the limit ... that's the speed they travel.

Perhaps one doesn't shudder to think at the speeds they would travel if there were no limits then?