Beware - Cornering Light Function

[CBS123]

I have a C220K Estate with Xenons and Cornering Light Function. Last night at 6pm I was stopped by two very young members of our local constabulary who advised me that my fog lights were far too bright and would blind other drivers!. I did not have them on, what they had spotted was the corening light function. I politely explained that they were not on and demonstrated that they only came on when the wheel was tunred either way for the purpose of illuminating junctions and pavements. They did not seem to undertsand this techonlogy and insisted they were not legal. Some what embarrassed the young lady officer left with with the parting comment to "get them fixed lest one of the traffic boys gives me a fixed penalty notice". Just how does one get something fixed that is not broken and is a function of the car which must have passed all its goverment tests and regulations to be legal in the first place?

I would be interested to know if anyone else has attracted the attention of the constabulary in this way? Oh and by the way so that you may put all this into perspective I am 56 years of age (therefore not a boy racer) and live in a large very rural village of 2500 head of population. It is therefore obvious that we do not have a crime wave here if our wonderful police force are able to worry about such matters.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

If they're certain you're breaking the law then you should ask of them what law exactly you're breaking.

If they don't radio for help on the matter then they're just wasting your time and you can thank them not to do it again.

You should also ask them what constitutes a 'fog' light, they're not known as 'high visibility' lights for nothing.

 

[Blobcat]

As per above really, did they not comment on how bright your xenons are or your LED tail brake lights?

 

[CBS123]

Thanks Bolbcat. She did ask me to put my main beams on while she was standing in front of the car. I suggested she stood back lest she fried. I think she got the point.

 

[NewMB]

Well, I can only agree with Parrot and Police Officers can be... what word... quite arrogant if one try to explain such things. They take it very bad and would probably not hesitate in arresting you for "bad behaviour" or something similar.

If they would give you a fine for cornering lights, I have a feeling that the courts would look really stupid due to these lights are 100% within the law and have been approved, at least, inside the EU.

I have been stopped by police for actually leaving my front foglights on once... perfect reason for him to give me crap as well as a alco test. No fine though.

 

[Rory]

If they would give you a fine for cornering lights, I have a feeling that the courts would look really stupid due to these lights are 100% within the law and have been approved, at least, inside the EU.

I don't have cornering lights, but I've had comments made about the fog lights coming on when the car is unlocked.

It is a bit of a dodgy area though - technically, under UK law, their use as anything other than foglights (and in foggy conditions) is illegal. As are Xenon headlights and LED rear lights (both because they're not filament bulbs) and hazard lights that flash under heavy braking (only supposed to be used while broken down).

However all these features are Type Approved as factory fitted systems under an EU scheme, and that type approval over-rides UK law.

Also, again strictly technically, this approval is also why you're not supposed to fit Xenons after the car has built.

 

[mlc]

It is perfectly legal to use hazards to warn others driving behind you that there is a hazard or obstruction ahead, i.e. the reason for your heavy braking.
See rule 116 on page 38 of the new highway code. the law was changed some years ago on this matter.

Russ

Agree that this is a legal use of hazard lights. I also think that this is an ace system on the new cars, without doubt it will become the standard on all new cars in the near future. Its one of those features that makes you wonder why it was never thought of before.

As far as the corner lighting and the Police is concerned, the answer is simple. I would point out that this is a standard feature of the car. If they still want to argue the point ask them to issue a ticket, if they are so stupid that they cant take on board that its a factory fitted item on a new car they deserve to take the pain associated with a compliant against them.

I would however point out that I am 50 and drive an S class, I would not suggest this route to my 17 year old with a Halfords special

Mark

 

[mlc]

Only on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriagway.

How do you stop them from coming on automatically on other types of road?

Just checked the highway code and agree with the limitations. I suggest this has to be a case when European law overides UK, still htink they are wonderful.

I drove a new CL600 at MB World. It appeared that the hazard lights triggered with the ABS then went off when you pressed the accelerator again, but I may be wrong.

We agreed that of all the new gadgets we saw at MB World this was most useful, and must be a really cheap feature to iinclude.

 

[rf065]

hazard lights that flash under heavy braking (only supposed to be used while broken down).

It is perfectly legal to use hazards to warn others driving behind you that there is a hazard or obstruction ahead, i.e. the reason for your heavy braking.
See rule 116 on page 38 of the new highway code. the law was changed some years ago on this matter.

Russ

 

[Rory]

It is perfectly legal to use hazards to warn others driving behind you that there is a hazard or obstruction ahead, i.e. the reason for your heavy braking.

Only on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriagway.

How do you stop them from coming on automatically on other types of road?

 

[rf065]

Only on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriagway.

How do you stop them from coming on automatically on other types of road?

Link them to a speed sensor so as they can only come on when braking above a certain speed? I've never had them so I've no idea what safeguards if any the manufacturers use, but surely they must comply with the law if they are fitted?

Russ

 

[Tikon]

I politely explained that they were not on and demonstrated that they only came on when the wheel was tunred either way for the purpose of illuminating junctions and pavements. They did not seem to undertsand this techonlogy and insisted they were not legal.

You were slow you should have run them both over and said "See, if I'd had those bright Xenon cornering lights I would have seen you both".

I have these on mine and I hope they stop me for a chat ;-)

Seriously though - Simply take their names and badge ID's then ask your local station to educate them so they don't inconvenience other motorists.

At this time of year there is nothing worse than an officer of the law under the ignorance.

Gary

 

[Twick]

To add to this post nearly 3 years on...........

As per the original poster, the local foot patrol decided to flag me down, after I had stopped at a junction, and having turned my wheel I anticipate both left and right as I crossed the cross roads, and advised me to turn my fog lights off or face a penalty.

I of course has no idea I had them on, as I didn't. I hadn't fully appreciated how this function worked. I also was unsure how to respond as they were (correctly) asserting I had them on, but I could clearly see I now didn't.

As only to repeat the sentiment above, it is a slightly unnerving that modern functions on today's vehicles are not understood by those enforcing the laws realting to vehicles and cars.

I assume that these functions must not break any rules / laws, or such car manufactures would be open to many a law suit.

At least I am now comforted that others have experienced the issue and at least understand how to react next time.

Thanks

 

[Rory]

It's a bit like the taking photographs in public places thing - Police Officers will never admit they're wrong, the whole system would break down if they did that.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

It is perfectly legal to use hazards to warn others driving behind you that there is a hazard or obstruction ahead, i.e. the reason for your heavy braking.
See rule 116 on page 38 of the new highway code. the law was changed some years ago on this matter.

Russ

From 2012, all new cars will have to have flashing BRAKE LIGHTS fitted, to show the vehicle is braking heavy.

 

[The_Don]

Idiots tell them to go catch a criminal

 

[55palfers]

The clue's in the name in my simple mind - they're "hazard" lights, to be used when a hazard is encountered to warn other road users.