BBC traffic cops on tv now..20:55

Originally Posted by specialone

Question, at what age did permanent lights become compulsory for manufacture?
Ive seen literally loads of scoots riding around with no lights on, some at dusk and in bad weather and they look quite new scoots, isnt this a recipe for disaster? why arent they designed out so you cant turn them off a lot earlier if they are indeed compulsory now?

No, I'm sorry but making lights on permanently just took one more perfectly reasonable responsibility away from riders. As it will with drivers in the very near future (and I speak as a Volvo driver who would love to able to turn my headlights off occasionally). It's really very simple - when it starts getting a bit dumpsy, TURN YOUR FECKING LIGHTS ON. Good grief, it isn't complicated, is it?

Originally Posted by DJFridge

No, I'm sorry but making lights on permanently just took one more perfectly reasonable responsibility away from riders. As it will with drivers in the very near future (and I speak as a Volvo driver who would love to able to turn my headlights off occasionally). It's really very simple - when it starts getting a bit dumpsy, TURN YOUR FECKING LIGHTS ON. Good grief, it isn't complicated, is it?

I kinda agree to an extent, but my two bikes i havent a choice, so why shouldnt the scoots be controlled in the same way, which statistically speaking they are more vulnerable in urban areas cos there are so many without lights.

People forget to turn their indys off after a turn, why wouldnt they forget their lights as well, were not talking about dark nights, poor weather can seriously affect our visibility, why take that risk not to be seen? people forget or are focused on other things or dont feel its that necessary when in fact it is.

Im on the fence re automatic lights.

From my scooter days til now, I always ride with my lights on. I drive with auto lights (not Volvo type which are on all the time).

I agree that there should be a choice in the matter, but at the same time I don't see what the fuss is about auto lights. IMO in most situations you are better off with lights than without...and for those specific times where it isn't desired, well that's where the choice bit comes in.

No, it isn't hard to turn lights on. But it is a 'luxury' I enjoy

Anybody who doesn't turn their lights on at night is a numpty, end of.

And that goes for car drivers, bikers, scooter bois, and especially cyclists, don't start me on those flashing LED pushbike lights.

Saying that, I'm not overly convinced of the benefits of compulsory daytime lights, in my experience, you could have a bike lit up like Blackpool prom and it won't make a blind bit of difference because a lot of folk don't bloody look in the first place, all the lights and hi-viz won't make a difference then.

I always ride/rode with my lights on. Whether it be broad daylight perfect conditions or dusk slash night. Why wouldnt you ride with them on permanently? Why would you not want to give yourself every possible chance to be seen by other road users?

Originally Posted by keithd

I always ride/rode with my lights on. Whether it be broad daylight perfect conditions or dusk slash night. Why wouldnt you ride with them on permanently? Why would you not want to give yourself every possible chance to be seen by other road users?

That's exactly my thoughts mate, I know you could argue about choices etc but it's minor IMO, more things to worry about tbh.

[Sir Trev]

One of my cars has auto-on lights and they come on when it's almost pitch black, so I do it myself when needed. The amount of people who don't though is scary, assuming the car knows best!

As for DRLs, if you hunt enough forums you can often find routines or service commands for diabling them in a lot of cars. Usually a combination of key turns and switch movements. Personally I'd leave them on if I had a vehicle equiped with them.

[hindle8907]

didn't watch it but surely they cannot just take her word for it.
That would mean everyone that watched that program now knows if they hit a biker at night all they have to say is he didn't have his lights on and they get away with it.

Originally Posted by tonyk

who would ride without light at night

A mutant chav pedboi?

[timwilky]

What I found disturbing was the 4 times over the limit woman who went to the garage.

I know she was pretending that she couldn't give a breath sample due to illness. But what about those with genuine problems. My wife is in such a group and is under the care of a respiratory specialist. I would expect her to not to be bullied at the roadside and told if you can breath you can provide a sample. I know she cannot.