Compulsory daylight headlight use in NZ

**Ixion** · 21st September 2008, 12:02

Euphemistically, yes.

**swbarnett** · 21st September 2008, 22:22

Originally Posted by Toaster

If a bike can't run a headlight, you'd have to wonder how on earth it could manage a WOF if tested properly!

Back in the 80s I spent a short time as a courier. The constant stopping and starting of the engine combined with short trips and headlight on ran the battery flat. I was stranded twice with jobs on board before I realised what was happening. After that I ran with the headlight off and had no further problems.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 21st September 2008, 23:01

Originally Posted by R6_kid

I think it should be compulsory for all vehicles, except in cases where as mentioned it is not feasible on certain (vintage?) vehicles.

bikes maybe compulsory ... all vehicles, I disagree with...the idea of bikes having head lights on is to make the bike stand out during the day to be seen... make all other vehicles have there lights on then the bike is blended straight back to how it was... also in many cases it can hide the actual bike more

linky

**Paulo** · 22nd September 2008, 13:11

Originally Posted by TimeOut

How do you get on at night? or do you just not drive around town at night.

Thats right I put it to bed early. I'm not quite ready to tackle the wiring loom.

**GrayWolf** · 22nd September 2008, 22:53

Originally Posted by davereid

I always used to ride with lights off.

.

I have also noticed that I find it much harder to judge a vehicles speed and distance when it has its lights on. Bikes are worse than cars in this regard. I can only assume my experience is the same as other drivers.

I am also concerned that with my lights on, my tail light operates.

It's combined with my brake light. I'm absolutely sure that the change from OFF to BRAKE is much more noticeable than the change from TAIL to BRAKE.

At highway speeds, a 1-second delay in noticing my brake light costs the motorist behind me 27 meters of stopping distance.

That 27 meters might be important to my survival, as I might be stopped there !

Thank You
That is one of the points and a main one I was going to raise. (The knee jerk reaction about whether or not certain bikes can run lights all the time etc is just the focus the Govt wants).
The issue of distance judgement being affected with lights on was researched in the USA and UK/Europe quite extensively. (Try actively seeing how often you misjudge distance and speed at night of oncoming vechiles). The UK Police had BMW's fitted with a purpose made 'day light' that diffused light rather than a beam.

Secondly, these are polititians you're dealing with, they blow smoke so you get a concession and they get what they were after anyway. The 'smoke' in this case to be 'negotiated away' is probably a dispensation for older bikes, so you veteran/vintage riders dont lose out, and see how nice to motorcyclists we are......... Cynical?? ya better believe it!!!

**Ixion** · 22nd September 2008, 23:14

The best way to deal with the light causing distance perception problems is to use two lights, as far apart (horizontally) as possible.

Which many riders have done. They are then seen,the person seeing them can readily assess distance and closing speed, and since the lights can be low wattage (2 x 12W is ample), the battery is not challenged. A win all round. However, in almost all cases this proposal would make such lights illegal. Usually they are two small low wattage spot light. The proposal will only allow genuine DRL lights. A DRL is not just 'any old light that is on during daylight". It has to be a very specific design with the correct magic E number son the lens. Aftermarket genuine DRL for bikes do not exist, for practical purposes. So the present two light fitments will NOT qualify under the legislation.

**Jerry74** · 22nd September 2008, 23:22

Lights on good idea, a lot of newer bikes come hard wired with engine running...

**Max Preload** · 23rd September 2008, 00:39

Originally Posted by Jerry74

Lights on good idea, a lot of newer bikes come hard wired with engine running...

Baaaa baaaaaaaaa :slap:

**Hinny** · 23rd September 2008, 07:04

Originally Posted by Ixion

The best way to deal with the light causing distance perception problems is to use two lights, as far apart (horizontally) as possible.

Which many riders have done. They are then seen,the person seeing them can readily assess distance and closing speed, and since the lights can be low wattage (2 x 12W is ample), the battery is not challenged. A win all round. However, in almost all cases this proposal would make such lights illegal. Usually they are two small low wattage spot light. So the present two light fitments will NOT qualify under the legislation.

Could these lights not be classed as position indicating lamps?
They are in my opinion by far the best lighting option for bikes n the daytime.

**sunhuntin** · 23rd September 2008, 09:33

Originally Posted by Dargor

More lights is bad. You dont need them during the day, if you do you shouldnt be on the road. Are they going to tell pedestrians they need lights to cross the road? What about the super bright lights i see on cages during the day, they are distracting, and should be left off untill needed. More lights is bad. Drive/ride properly.

i disagree. most of us ride with headlights on to make it easier for cagers to see us, not because we the rider cant see clearly. i know that having my light on during day light hours has saved my life on more than one occasion, because the cager glances, the light stands out and they take a second look and decide to wait, as opposed to glancing, not 'seeing' me, going and hitting me.
and same with other road users having their lights on, they stand out a mile and make life a lot easier. i can see a moped from 5 or 6 blocks if they have a light going, as opposed to not seeing them till im next to them without lights.

**Ixion** · 23rd September 2008, 11:15

Originally Posted by Hinny

Could these lights not be classed as position indicating lamps?
They are in my opinion by far the best lighting option for bikes n the daytime.

Yes, they can. And that is why they are legal now. But the problem is, if the proposed law is passed, they will not qualify as the "legally required" lights. So the rider will have to use the headlight, either instead of, or as well. The problem with "as well" (apart from the battery issue), is that the very bright focused beam of the headlamp seizes the viewers attention and "drowns out" the diffuse low wattage lights (not helped by the headlamp being central) . The viewer sees only the headlamp, and target fixates on it. Then cannot judge distance .

BRONZ's alternative if the PTB insist on lights is to allow any forward facing light. this would keep the existing setups legal.

**Hinny** · 23rd September 2008, 17:26

Nadroj has a great setup on his ST1300 with small but quite powerful aux. lights on brackets attached to the front guard mounts. This creates a triangle of light that is very easy to see and judge distance/closing speed etc. Great presence and great presents for near and dear to give.

**GrayWolf** · 25th September 2008, 15:02

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Whilst I agree with the intent behind having headlight on, obviously only a motorcyclist can know whether this makes any difference. Having ridden motorcycles for some 35 years, it is my observation that to make any difference to being visible, the headlight must be on high beam. With the poor statistics of car drivers not seeing motorcyclists, and the often poor headlights on motorcycles (particularly older models), then I suggest that if fulltime use of headlights is to be made compulsory, then daytime use of the highbeam is the only realistic measure.

I will not gainsay using a high beam headlight for visibility, it certainly works, but I do feel with the modern lights the power on main beam will/would get an adverse reaction from motorists for 'dazzling'.

As a suggestion for urban riding........
I'm not sure if they are available in NZ (or now) but in the early to mid 80's a group of us (England) tracked down a supply of 20watt halogen bulbs that replaced/fitted the park light bulb socket. The position of the park light gave a much more diffused light (similar to DRL). I would question the effectiveness of low power DRL's outside of a city/commuter environment though.