Driving home late last night from Llandovery to Telford along mostly unlit A-roads I was amazed at how few people use their main-beam lights when there's nothing in front of 'em.
What's their problem? It's pitch black, raining, twisty roads - and they're on dipped lights.
Yes, isn't it amazing! I guess people have lost the use of main beam but found the use of the fog lamps.
Maybe they can drive and I suspect they know the road. I hardly ever use main beam. No need for it.
To be fair, your usual form of transport on dark A roads is legally limited to 40mph.
Try doing 80mph on a dark road without main beams.....
The message from Conor contains these words:
Each to their own, I s'pose. Seems odd not to use something that allows you to see better when it's available at the flick of a switch.
As I'm sure many people do, I commute on dark roads - I know the roads, but I'd rather have as much warning of a potential hazard. I use main beams as much as I can (indeedy, just replaced our lights for better main beam).
: What's their problem? It's pitch black, raining, twisty roads - and : they're on dipped lights.
Perhap, like me, they want to be able to see more than the verges and walls beside the road just in front of them. On twisty country roads at night I almost always use dipped beam for better vision.
Ian
: Then there's the ones who do use main beam - but fail to dip it as you : pass 'em.
Not to mention the prats who switch to main beam before they pass.
Ian
And of course I could never drive a car in the dark could I?
I find it actually makes things worse by reducing your night vision further meaning you can see less when you have to go onto dipped.
The message from "DervMan" contains these words:
I've got some of those nice 55/100W bulbs. The dip's standard and doesn't attract attention, but the main beam is splendid.
The message from "Ian Johnston" contains these words:
Never noticed a lack of side vision on main beam - all the cars I've had main beam's coverage has been far wider than dip - and certainly the "kicked up to the left" area is as well if not better lit with main beam than with dip.
It's enough to make a judgement as to the safety of pulling out to have a better look.
From what you've said in this thread, it seems unlikely you do, or, if you do, you do it so slowly that you can't possibly comment on the safety of overtaking with / without main beams.
SteveH ( snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :
At which point, their car no longer blocks the view you have in their lights.
So how do I get to work at 5am or home at 5pm? Walk the 30 miles?
And as 99% of my journey is on NLS A roads, its at 60 most of the way.
: The message : from "Ian Johnston" contains : these words: : : > Perhap, like me, they want to be able to see more than the verges and : > walls beside the road just in front of them. On twisty country roads : > at night I almost always use dipped beam for better vision. : : Never noticed a lack of side vision on main beam - all the cars I've had : main beam's coverage has been far wider than dip - and certainly the : "kicked up to the left" area is as well if not better lit with main beam : than with dip.
That's exactly the problem. Round my way - south west Scotland - the minor roads tend to be narrow and twisty wth walls or hedge on both sides. Nice bright main beams illuminate those so well that it's very difficult to spot anything further ahead: dipped beams help reduce the problem. I'd use main beams on straighter main roads.
Ian
The message from "Ian Johnston" contains these words:
I've certainly had that problem with this vast refelctive signs they've started putting up. When they were a reasonable size it was OK, but now they're the size of a football pitch with a yellow border the size of Bedfordshire round 'em they dominate the night time view so you can't see past 'em.
Oh yes tell me about them. Round our way not only do you have FO enormous chevrons on moderately sharp bends (50mph corners) which illuminate in your headlights from over half a mile away but, they now have Doppler controlled illuminating signs that light up to tell you to "Slow Down Sharp Bend". I could get round the corner at 50 in my old Marina, nowadays car handling seems to be much better and the corners are coated with high grip surfaces, I think 70 is easily possible. How much did those stupid signs cost? £3000 apiece, £5000?
-- Malc
I'll wager!
I've thought about 100w bulbs for the spot lamps (H1s, main beam), but figured I'd try them with standards. No need to upgrade at this point! ;)
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required