Driving with your lights ON - Yes or No?

[Deeping]

I find that if someone isn’t looking it don’t matter if your lights are on or not, they won’t see you cause they aint looking

Full beam, try to assess the speed of a headlamp on full beam coming towards you, it’s a lot harder than one on dip beam.

I remember when drivers would look for vehicles and not for lights, where did they all go?

Remember when Volvo came out with daytime lights (and a tap from the alternator to power them, changing the wiring to cut the lights could damage the alternator) they stood out like a saw thumb, now they all have them so they all stand out and look different, sorry cynical me.

What next, let’s put a flashing yellow light on the vehicle then it will stand out until they all get one. There must be another way as lights and education don’t work, what about punishment, SMIDSU okay see this – here is a 5 year ban. No appeal ie I need it to get to work, oh I need it to take the kids to school, yes its harsh but it might work

Foot note – just my opinion

[jamie]

The Nexus always has its headlight on, which personally i would always have on anyway.. even in the 70`s i used to ride with my lights on... a weird thing happened the other day... i was bringing my missus home from work.. just a casual ride.. a man in his late 40`s , i would say.. overtook me on his what looked like a honda cb400, no lights ON, i carried on, right at roundabout and then 400 yards down the rode i saw his bike on the floor with a cars front stuck to it... he was up and limping as they tried to reverse the car off his bike i stopped and asked him if he was ok.. he replied yes, i wasnt going fast, she just pulled out of that bloody junction as i was already there, i had no chance of swerving.. she said i didn`t see you.. he was ok and as i didnt see it, so i could not be a witness.. so off i popped. being a car driver myself also, it drew to my attention that i always (99%) stop at T junctions, people are in such a rush these days and have a quick look while still in momentum,

So what`s your verdict... do you ride your scoot with your lights ON .. if not WHY.. and have i converted anyone

if its after 2003 you shouldnt be able to turn them off they have to come on by law when you start up

[michaelphillips]

I have also seen a couple of people filtering in the morning at the bottom of the M11 with hazards on. From my observations, drivers don't notice them anymore than usual, but it does seem to enable the riders to filter through 40mph traffic at 60+. So it must be useful, somehow.

if it helps
Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.
Law RVLR reg 27

im sure on my 7 seater the hazzards come on when braking hard on motorway,

[Dave Weller]

Don't ride on main beam all the time, for your own safety, when you brake to cover the possibility of the car pulling out, it will be assumed you have dipped your lights to allow them out. It is totally wrong.

[Drago]

I always ride with mine on dipped.

On my 2008 SYM GTS they can be turned on and off. I always automatically flick them on after starting the engine.
My recently acquired 2003 Burgman 400 should always be on but mine has been modified so the dipped/main beam can be turned on/off. But the middle parking light always stays on.

I also hate HID's, every time a vehicle with them comes at me it bloody hurts my eyes!
I also hate the poxy indicators on most vehicles today. Barely visible, especially when the suns out!
My biggest hate with lights though is people who don't switch to dipped at night when passing other traffic!

My SYM has daylight running lights, a LED ring around the high beam. This is bright, but not in a hurt yours eyes sort of way like HID's.

When first riding from 2004-2006 I didn't use my lights all the time. But since I've used lights all the time I've noticed a reduction in pull outs. But in 2010 I finally started using a high vis vest. Pull outs on me have reduced massively since I've
worn a high vis vest, which will upset some of you on here (tarka), but thats what I've discovered and now I never ride without a high vis vest, only a cheap velcro one that can be worn over the jacket and removed for shops/pubs etc. Thogh I don't remove it for shops, which is annoying for a few times now I've been approached and asked where things are, as people think i'm a member of staff!

[frankiej1949]

The X10 has double dipped headlights on all the time, no switch

[Bluebottle]

Lights on all the time, plus hi-Vis and white (or bright) helmet. Anything that is easier to see.

Agree with GN2 and others, hate the glare from HID lights that aren't lensed properly

[michaelphillips]

Lights on all the time, plus hi-Vis and white (or bright) helmet. Anything that is easier to see.

Agree with GN2 and others, hate the glare from HID lights that aren't lenses properly

true and should be an mot failure if self fitted

[rintintin]

If I had the choice (which I don't), I would, so I do anyway, all the time. Hope that's clear .
Mind you, even with double (dipped) lights, a big white scoot and a high viz vest, it didn't stop a cab driver from pulling out into outside lane whilst I was passing him yesterday..... just managed to break hard and avoid contact

[Funkycowie]

On my old Nexus when I knew I would be riding in the day light for the spring to autumn months I would adjust the main beam to the same height as the dipped so I could have both on in an attempt to be more visible.

Trying to figure out how to do the lighting mod on the TMax so I can use the dipped of the H4 (which never comes on) to come on with the H7 but switch to the high beam when needed (which also leaves the H7 on)