Driving with sidelights in built-up areas?
in [UK Drivers]
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From: JNugent on 15 Dec 2009 06:32 Conor wrote: > In article <4b268dbd.85219562(a)news.x-privat.org>, Dermit Goldstein > says... >> What exactly are the rules in regard to lights? Quite often you see >> London taxis (particularly the older ones) driving around using only >> 10W (?) sidelights. > > Basically you can in a streetlit 30MPH area. Some muppets drive down NSL > DCs on them though. It's lawful if the road is lit though, isn't it? You can drive on a lit motorway night with just sidelights AFAIK (though I always use headlights at night, whether there is street-lighting or not).
From: JNugent on 15 Dec 2009 06:33 Martin wrote: > "Conor" <conor(a)gmx.co.uk> wrote in message > news:MPG.2590a3c2cf49f26e989a14(a)news.eternal-september.org... >> In article <4b268dbd.85219562(a)news.x-privat.org>, Dermit Goldstein >> says... >>> >>> What exactly are the rules in regard to lights? Quite often you see >>> London taxis (particularly the older ones) driving around using only >>> 10W (?) sidelights. >> >> Basically you can in a streetlit 30MPH area. Some muppets drive down NSL >> DCs on them though. > > Some muppets, like the one I overtook the other day, drive with *no* > lights whatsoever on a motorway in the pitch darkness (ie not just at > twilight). How the guy managed to see where he was going, I do not know. > Mind you, he *was* pootling along at about 40 mph. > > I was first alerted to his presence when I saw loads of cars in front of > me but behind him turn their lights off and on several times as they > came up behind him. I did likewise when it was my turn to overtake him. > With hindsight, I should have taken his number and reported him to the > motorway police, because his unlit car was a danger to other motorists. > > I hadn't realised that it was legal to drive in darkness with only side > lights, as long as the road was illuminated by streetlights. "in darkness" "illuminated by streetlights" Hmmm...
From: JNugent on 15 Dec 2009 06:35 FrengaX wrote: > On Dec 15, 7:43 am, Dr Zoidberg <AlexNOOO!!!...@drzoidberg.co.uk> > wrote: >> Dermit Goldstein wrote: >>> What exactly are the rules in regard to lights? Quite often you see >>> London taxis (particularly the older ones) driving around using only >>> 10W (?) sidelights. >> Perfectly legal in built up areas with a 30mph limit. > > I think you need to add the qualification of a street-lit built-up > 30mph zone. > Is it 30 zones only? > > Whatver it is, I believe it's foolish not to use headlights. There are people near here (uk.rec.cycling) who have previously opined that drivers should not be allowed to use headlights in lit streets. I'm not joking.
From: Adrian on 15 Dec 2009 06:41 JNugent <JN(a)noparticularplacetogo.com> gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: >> What exactly are the rules in regard to lights? Quite often you see >> London taxis (particularly the older ones) driving around using only >> 10W (?) sidelights. > If they could never be used, there'd be no legal requirement to fit them > (though they can also be used to mark a parked vehicle). ....which is why they're a legal requirement... Do us all a favour and have a look at the Road Vehicle Lighting Regs and the Highway Code. If a vehicle needs to be lit, then "obligatory position lights" are not sufficient. > I think sidelights and tail-lights are rated at 15w or thereabous. Usually, they're 5w. Dip is usually 50w. Indicators and brake lights are usually 21w, along with rear fogs.
From: Martin on 15 Dec 2009 07:00
"JNugent" <JN(a)noparticularplacetogo.com> wrote in message news:tpCdnQsnxeqf6brWnZ2dnUVZ8g1i4p2d(a)pipex.net... > Martin wrote: >> I hadn't realised that it was legal to drive in darkness with only side >> lights, as long as the road was illuminated by streetlights. > > "in darkness" > > "illuminated by streetlights" > > Hmmm... OK. I meant "darkness" in the sense of "not twilight" and "after sunset". To avoid any doubt, perhaps I should have said "after the published lighting-up time". I *always* drive with my headlights on (on full beam, where possible) when it's dark, irrespective of whether there are streetlights or not. Even in lit areas, it makes a very big difference to the ability to see hazards, signs, road markings etc when they are illuminated from the side (by the headlights) as well as from on top (by street lights). |