Cagers driving in fog w/ no headlights

[bikerskier]

Sunday before last, my better half and I took a 45 min ride out to a favorite b/fast place. It was very foggy on the ride out and I was stunned by the number of ******* idiots driving at speed with no lights on. I was ready for a bailout several times and almost decided to head home but perservered. Had a terrific b/fast and then came home in much better conditions. I have puzzled over this phenomena for a long time. We lived in Canada for a number of years and many years years ago, they mandated daylight running lamps which came on with the ignition. They claim to have had a dramatic drop in accidents as a result. It seems to be a no brainer to me. Why are we so slow to accept such a great idea?

 

[wfooshee]

My first exposure to DRLs on cars was Canadians wintering here and clogging up our roads with their high beams on all the time. I just thought they were all idiots!

Initially, the DRLs were high beam at 85%. Still f-ing bright when they're right at you, especially at dusk or very cloudy when it's dark enough to need lights anyway.

I HATE high-beam DRLs.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone driving with no lights at night, because they thought their lights were on. (The DRLs illuminated the road ahead.)

And as for fog, it's not just fog. It's rain. If your wipers are needed, so are your headlights. They don't help you see necessarily, but they help you be seen, and apparently that doesn't come across in driver's ed very well.

Newer GM cars have moved to dedicated DRL lamps rather than the reduced intensity high beam, which is great! I don't see why cars don't work the same as bikes, though. If the engine's running, the lights are on. All of them.

As for this thread, it borders on political (legislated DRLs, reasons for them, regulatory bodies, etc.) and has not much to do with bikes, other than running into invisible cars. (Trying to pass a truck with spraying wheels is a nightmare, of course. You can see oncoming traffic that's lit, but those that aren't will come out of nowhere and smash you flat.)

As for why they can't find the switch, they're just too &*%^$%%# stupid! 1005 out of 1000 drivers have absolutely no clue.

 

[Huck Fonda]

Fog...fog...Oh yeah, now I remember!

Down here they decided there was so much of it that it might scare off tourists or something so they call it "Marine Layer".

Isn't that cute?

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Yep, one of my pet peeves too.

Not only in foggy conditions, but in the dark too! In the urban areas, there are these morons who are too busy on their phone to realize that no-one else can see them. After all, the street lights are on! They can see!

Out in the rural areas, most of the immigrant farm workers are afraid they'll attract too much attention if they drive with their lights on. Logical, don't you agree?

And another thing, they're usually in cars that are some dark, grayish color that completely blends in with the road surface and the foggy/dark background!

I feel better after venting that. I have to commute to work in the dark now.

Be careful 'out there' (in California, and the whole rest of the world too)!

 

[LDRydr]

+1

Almost as bad as the drivers that don't use lights WHEN IT"S DARK OUT. Had one follow me for miles the other evening. As I went through an intersection I noticed a LEO sitting there in his car and thought surely he would deal with the idiot in the cage. NOT. Must have been too busy or something.

 

[twowheelnut]

something so they call it "Marine Layer".

or simply, 'clouds'. I always chuckle over that one, too.

As for driving in the soup sans headlamps on, yeah, that really fogs my shield, too. Nothing like running up on car from the rear without the lights on, either.

 

[Geezer]

Another problem with daylight running lights is that they don't light up the tail lights. The driver may be able to see in front of his vehicle, but people coming up from behind can't see him.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Just a guess, but I think the drivers are thinking more about seeing than being seen. Headlights light up the fog inspiring drivers to shut them off. Too bad they don't leave the running lights on.

 

[snikr]

Some of the cagers in my area are IN the fog most of the time but I don't like it when there is fog and they don't have lights on. Even when I'm in my truck or Jeep.

Tom

 

[Toecutter]

Is it just me driven nuts by this?

It rages me out as well.

On my two Toyotas, leaving the headlights switched on means they turn off when the key is turned off and one of the front doors opens. So, I just leave 'em on all the time. Day, night, headlights, taillights.

I'm gonna start zapping the "Fog Sharks" with my Solteks this winter. :evil:

 

[painman]

When I use to drive commercially alot of my work was in the delta/central valley region of Ca. and the best defense in the fog was using the CB radio having other truckers telling you as they came by there was traffic up ahead. Usually some farm worker doing about 2 miles an hour ahead of you in an old pickup looking to be ran over. Ca. now has law to run your head lights when it is raining. Also to come out is hands off cell phone use. Only problem is enforcing them. Until then ride like your invisable and their trying to kill you! And I like Toe's rule of lights on all the time, good info there. PM. <>< :lol:

 

[bikerskier]

Not wanting to sound preachy here, but I have driven with all lights on for over 30 years and have taught my kids to do the same. I want to be seen in the fog, rain, snow, dust, dusk, dark, you name it. And I just can't for the life of me, figure out why so many dumb fekkers have no clue about this.

 

[Toecutter]

And I just can't for the life of me, figure out why so many dumb fekkers have no clue about this.

DUMB has a huge following....

 

[Whybu1]

Only thing worse than driving sans lights in fog is the idiots with highbeams/driving lights in the fog. I really liked my Saab as it was a German built but US spec car. It had the rear fog light (bright red marker light in the rear on the drivers side only, could see those well before the running lights.

 

[FJRMGM]

these highbeams may help to soothe your anxiety..

Highbeams - ****

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

these highbeams may help to soothe your anxiety..
Highbeams - ****

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