View Full Version : Main Beam Culture
Fallout
27-07-12, 10:31 PM
Is it just me, or has there been a shift in our road culture as to how to use the main beam? I'm specifically talking about cars.
I am sure when I started driving (just over 10 years ago), I would never be blinded by someone's main beam. Once in a blue moon someone would leave them on and I'd flash them to let them know, or they might just turn them off a bit late.
In recent years, it seems like it's become the norm to leave your main beam on until you see another car driver. So on corners or crests, when I see headlights coming round the corner and I flick my main beam off, the other drivers always leave them on. I'd say as much as 50% of the time, when a car is coming, I'll get a second or two of blinding light before they flick their lights down. Even when I flash my main beam on and off so they can see I'm coming, their lights will still be on when they come round the corner.
Anyone else spotted this, or is it just me? Is it a shift in culture towards less considerate/more retarded driving, or is it just me?
ian505050
27-07-12, 10:41 PM
In every day life people are acting like ****s more and more, this is a fact. End of story.
kiggles
27-07-12, 10:44 PM
yep i been putting up with it for a long time being i do alot of night riding. no one cares about anyone else so everyone leaves them on. there are a good few genuine drivers who do switch. but the amount of cars with badly adjusted headlights, and those **** that driver 4X4 with HID's in blind everyone any way.
the trick is do daylight riding. or get a 4X4.
Fallout
27-07-12, 10:46 PM
Glad it's not just me. I'm thinking some sort of massive 8 trillion candle flood light attached to the fairing, aiming at drivers on the other side of the road could be handy. Flick it on when they are naughty. That and sidewinder missiles.
missyburd
28-07-12, 07:44 AM
Aye, I've noticed too and wondered if it was just me. I think car headlights are also a heck of a lot brighter than they ever used to be which doesn't help. If it's slightly damp out then it's really a pain, I get dazzled badly. It's crap when you think you're being courteous then the to$$ers don't return the favour. Feck 'em!
littleoldman2
28-07-12, 07:49 AM
It's a concern to many of us and not just at night. Someone on the forum (I forget who) put up this link http://www.lightmare.org/
dizzyblonde
28-07-12, 07:51 AM
A lot of cars now have ultra modern bright bulbs, Audi for instance are buggers for it. Total rabbit in headlights for me, especially when its drizzling. Doednt matter if I'm on the bike or in the Landy, I get totally blinded!
metalangel
28-07-12, 08:35 AM
I hate driving home at night in the rain because of bright 'dipped' headlights. Those combined with the huge number of pedestrians in dark clothing who just wander into the road as the mood takes them makes driving especially fraught.
Doesn't help I have a low car, so sometimes one of those taller cars (like a 307) shines its bright lights right into the back window and I have to flip my mirror up.
Sir Trev
28-07-12, 09:00 AM
In every day life people are acting like ****s more and more, this is a fact. End of story.
This.
muzikill
28-07-12, 09:02 AM
I thought the new mot rules were going to minimise this and ban cars which have these done non standard?
In every day life people are acting like ****s more and more, this is a fact. End of story.
i call it the bubble syndrome 'this is my space and i'm special so don't come into my space'.
it's the standard of driving that has reduced so they cant take their eyes of the road to realise that they have a blue light on their dash.
the other one that gets my goat is idiots who brake at night for the slightest thing or turn on the fog lights when its raining or a slight mist.
Dicky Ticker
28-07-12, 06:26 PM
You say fog lights but how do you differentiate between fog and driving lights. My driving lights only illuminate the area directly in front of the car outwith the lower part of the dipped beam.
Real fog lights have more powerful bulbs than driving lights and they also come in spread or pencil beam in comparison to many of today's modern cars which have driving lights fitted as standard.
You say you object to them using them in slight mist or rain but a modern motorbike fitted with AHO runs about with headlights on all the time,theoretically to improve their visibility, so surely the car driver is only doing the same in adverse conditions.
Headlights on full beam when they should be dipped and badly adjusted lights are more of a problem in my book
i'm on about rear fog lights, there is no need to have them on unless its in fog putting them on at any other time just blinds the driver behind them especially in rainy conditions. front fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps don't bother me as its only head on for seconds but when your behind some plonker with rear fogs on and it's raining you cant see shizz with a visor/windscreen covered in rain.
Mikey10
28-07-12, 07:33 PM
I found from watching my brother learning to drive he did a bit of night driving and he could'nt even concerntrate on driving and having a finger covering the switch for main beam maybe that might be the reason why some people don't turn it off in the bends and end up blinding you.
And more modern cars are having the automatic headlights. The in-laws D3 has them and they are horrid. I allway switch them to manual if I get to use it.
Dicky Ticker
29-07-12, 09:20 AM
Sorry mate misunderstood,didn't realise the topic was for rears in which case I am in total agreement
tactcom7
29-07-12, 10:13 AM
Why has no one mentioned the ****s that drive around with sidelights and fog lights?
No you don't cool and it doesn't make your car faster. You sir, are a complete tool.
I thought the new mot rules were going to minimise this and ban cars which have these done non standard?
No the inspection on mot only applies to if its got head lamp wash and auto aiming.
As yet its not enforced .
Plus it takes all of 2mins to pop the old ones in for the moto. Then swap them back post mot .
As to the fog lights and side lights, why do people think it looks cool? I always thought it was an offence to drive with fogs on when not needed. Also at Asda last night someone pulled up in a cruiser with spotlights which were aimed high, coupled with high beams dazzled me from across the car park.
markc123
30-07-12, 08:21 AM
Yep, people seem to wait till you turn your main beam off before they kill theirs. What I really hate is people who turn main beam back a split second before they pass you....
Got factory xenons in the latest car which are wonderful, that and not being super low in theis car means I can actually see when passing 4x4s :-).
Thought the new MOT was in? Non factory HIDs = fail, which gives the police chance to deal with em in much the same way as they use the regs to pull bikers with little plate as and race cans? Few £30 fines will stop the chavs using HIDs.
The way the mot is worded is if it's fitted then self leveling and wash system must work.
As my Juke does not come with that how could I fail it if it was up for mot .
A properly fitted xeon kit does'nt dazzle .
yorkie_chris
30-07-12, 10:54 AM
As to the fog lights and side lights, why do people think it looks cool?
Because they're c***s.
I'm going to fit about 10,000 lumens worth of highly focused LED driving lights so I can sizzle the retinas of such inconsiderate mongs.
Thought the new MOT was in? Non factory HIDs = fail, which gives the police chance to deal with em in much the same way as they use the regs to pull bikers with little plate as and race cans? Few £30 fines will stop the chavs using HIDs.
Just like it stops them having dangerously tinted windows and fart box exhausts...
Oh hang on...
M O T = moment of time.
You can go straight home fit you Carlos Fandango Wheels.
Blue side lights & tiny number plate etc.
Mot means jack in all honesty .
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