LED Lighting of Other Road Users

Do you have opinion of other road users LED lighting?

  • They are an improvement to safety, I've no issues

    Votes: 5 11.9%
  • I'm not overly concerned but I occasionally feel discomfort from their lights

    Votes: 15 35.7%
  • Sometimes my visibility is impaired by them as I'm driving

    Votes: 12 28.6%
  • I am regularly blinded and consider them to be a nuisance

    Votes: 10 23.8%

  • Total voters
    42
OP
M80

M80

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I don't see issue with those that feel need or just like to use fog lights, if they are aimed to serve the purpose of illuminating close to the vehicle 'for foggy conditions'. But the MOT doesn't look at aim of these.

Many cars now use the fog light/s as cornering lights, as they are to illuminate close to and show the edging. I've never been dazzled by a cornering light, and come to that don't remember being dazzled by fog lights.

A few days ago I experimented using my fog lights to see if they could help to combat the dazzle of oncoming LED's, it made little difference as it is further ahead I need assistance with when I'm dazzled. The fog lights illuminate so close I still wouldn't see what I've been caused to lose sight of ahead.
 
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M80

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Naraic

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I remember having this on a Ford Orion.
I thought it was a Ford thing from the 80's, but as you say it never lasted.
It was banned as opposed to not catching on.
 

Naraic

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Thats interesting...and quite a few years after my Orion which was 1989.
I still think it was Ford who were first with this technology because they were using it prior to my Orion, but Im not sure for how long.
I had it on a Citroen BX in 1987.
 

Ron240

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DRL, also far too bright, the clue is in the name, why don't they switch off when the headlights are on?
They dim when headlights are turned on otherwise they would be too bright.
If you unlock your car while standing in front of it at night you can see how much brighter the DRL are.
They also dim on the relevant side during the day when an indicator is active, if the indicator is contained within the light unit.

Edit.
I will wait to hear of exceptions to this. :D
 

EmilysDad

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They dim when headlights are turned on otherwise they would be too bright.
If you unlock your car while standing in front of it at night you can see how much brighter the DRL are.
They also dim on the relevant side during the day when an indicator is active, if the indicator is contained within the light unit.

Edit.
I will wait to hear of exceptions to this. :D

not wishing to disappoint .... ;)
My Smart's (451) OE DRLs switch off when the main lights are on :rolleyes:
 

Blobcat

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not wishing to disappoint .... ;)
My Smart's (451) OE DRLs switch off when the main lights are on :rolleyes:
The “Brabus” ones on my smart also switch off when headlights are on :p
 

Ron240

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not wishing to disappoint .... ;)
My Smart's (451) OE DRLs switch off when the main lights are on :rolleyes:
Thats fine...they either dim or switch off completely, but never remain at full intensity when headlights are on. :)
 

keefysher

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They dim when headlights are turned on otherwise they would be too bright.
If you unlock your car while standing in front of it at night you can see how much brighter the DRL are.
They also dim on the relevant side during the day when an indicator is active, if the indicator is contained within the light unit.

Edit.
I will wait to hear of exceptions to this. :D

Mine start blue when I unlock the car :D:rolleyes::geek:
 

Ron240

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It was banned as opposed to not catching on.
I done my own research into this....
The technology was not banned, but the requirement to use it was.
Dim Dip was only adopted by the UK and made compulsory at the time, but in 1988 the European Commission took legal action against the UK government and won, which meant it was no longer a legal requirement to use Dim Dip.
UK vehicles carried on using this technology into the 90's but there was no longer a legal requirement to do so.
 

joderest

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Bit bored so thought would start something off and see how many feel the same.

I am old enough to remember sealed beam units !!!, but honestly, i seemed to get dazzled all the time now by LED headlights, I know they are LED as are white and burn my eye's.
I even have to dip the rear mirror on a lot of occasions.
Is it just me ? or are headlight adjustments not the same as they used to be. I have even flashed some drivers that appear to only know how to drive at night on main beam.

And another thing, why is it that van delivery drivers at night always park up outside some ones house with headlights on full beam !!!

Replies on a post card, if not reply here.

(yes i am a grumpy old bored git, before you ask)
 

Gazwould

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Bay Leaf

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I agree with you on the dazzling bit. As I'm in my mid 60's I think it's age related. The thing that really hacks me off is the people who drive with there fog lamps on when there not necessary. On the subject of lights a lot of car manufacturers now fit front running lights. The dash board lights are on all the time as well so, when its dark unless you physically turn on your lights or there in auto mode you think your lights are all on. ( If you know what I mean ) That's why you see a lot of cars now with no rear lights on.
 

Blobcat

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Bit bored so thought would start something off and see how many feel the same.

I am old enough to remember sealed beam units !!!, but honestly, i seemed to get dazzled all the time now by LED headlights, I know they are LED as are white and burn my eye's.
I even have to dip the rear mirror on a lot of occasions.
Is it just me ? or are headlight adjustments not the same as they used to be. I have even flashed some drivers that appear to only know how to drive at night on main beam.

And another thing, why is it that van delivery drivers at night always park up outside some ones house with headlights on full beam !!!

Replies on a post card, if not reply here.

(yes i am a grumpy old bored git, before you ask)
I’ve merged your thread with another that highlights (see what I did there...;)) the issue.

Try driving an SLK when the rest of the world are in SUV’s... some lights are so badly aligned / designed that it’s ridiculous.
 

LostKiwi

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I’ve merged your thread with another that highlights (see what I did there...;)) the issue.

Try driving an SLK when the rest of the world are in SUV’s... some lights are so badly aligned / designed that it’s ridiculous.
If you think an SLK is bad try a Smart Roadster.
I stopped using mine in winter due to the amount of dazzle off wet roads from excessively bright lights.

And I also believe modern LEDs are too bright.
 

Gazwould

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So halogen are 1500 lm

Xenon / HID ?

LED ?
 


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