Flybyguy From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 1791 posts, RR: 1 Posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1414 times:
I've noticed that late model cars, Mazda 6, Toyota Corolla, and several Lexus models all have red reflectors on the rear bumpers. Is this a new upcoming standard safety feature?
Furthermore I've noticed that cars in commercials and in magazines do not necessarily have license plates, however, I notice that a numbered plate painted to match the car's body color is installed on the rear of the car... what's the deal with that?
I've always wondered why daytime running lights are a safety feature... especially in places that are dry and sunny. Wouldn't it be better for the headlamps if they only turned on when the ambient light intensity was low?
"Are you a pretender... or a thoroughbred?!" - Professor Matt Miller
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 1, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1408 times:
Quoting Flybyguy (Thread starter): I've always wondered why daytime running lights are a safety feature... especially in places that are dry and sunny. Wouldn't it be better for the headlamps if they only turned on when the ambient light intensity was low?
Go out in the desert, put two cars side by side, turn the DLRs on one of them and then go 10 miles up the road. Which car do you think you'll see and which one you won't
Cars that have DLRs will be seen much quicker and from a further distance in pretty well any light conditions.
HapppyLandings From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1394 times:
Quoting Flybyguy (Thread starter): I've always wondered why daytime running lights are a safety feature... especially in places that are dry and sunny. Wouldn't it be better for the headlamps if they only turned on when the ambient light intensity was low?
This saftey feature was installed as a result of thousands upon thousands of accidents that resulted as an effect of limited visibility. Plus, I am sure you still find the occasional ignorant driver that 'forgot' to turn his lights on in the evening or at night, especially in fairly well lit areas, the DRL's at least help somewhat in that respect.
Also, I am sure the auto manufactures really do not know where their cars will end up, and do not make cars specifiacally for desert regions, so the most simple alternative would be to install DRL's on all of their vehicles. Also, alot more cost effective that installing on some here and there, most cars of the same model are made on one production line, and the manufacturing difficulties involved would not be worth the cost.
Plus, I think it is illegal in most places around the world to sell cars without DRL's.
ShyFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1376 times:
Quoting Flybyguy (Thread starter): Furthermore I've noticed that cars in commercials and in magazines do not necessarily have license plates, however, I notice that a numbered plate painted to match the car's body color is installed on the rear of the car... what's the deal with that?
My guess is that they don't want the plate to be the focus of the photo, which is exactly what you'd get if the photo is of a sleek, bright red sports car zipping down the road with a generic white plate. Going sans plate would make the photo look staged, as if we the consumer don't already know the car is being driven by a professional driver on a closed course.
KFLLCFII From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 3263 posts, RR: 33 Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1374 times:
Quoting HapppyLandings (Reply 2): Plus, I think it is illegal in most places around the world to sell cars without DRL's.
Must be news for most non-luxury dealerships in the US...
"About the only way to look at it, just a pity you are not POTUS KFLLCFII, seems as if we would all be better off."
BristolFlyer From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 2143 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1369 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 1): Go out in the desert, put two cars side by side, turn the DLRs on one of them and then go 10 miles up the road.
Yes, it's important to be able to see a car 10 miles away
JoshSixtySeven From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1362 times:
Quoting BristolFlyer (Reply 5): Yes, it's important to be able to see a car 10 miles away
Yep, just like recent EU legislation that says the brake light has to be a certain distance a) from the ground and b) below the top of the roof.
We've gone even more health and safety mad than ever before. Before you know it, it will be necessary to wear a 5 point harness as opposed to a seatbelt and a helmet, incase we find ourselves practising Mr Hammond's stunt.
Asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1348 times:
Quoting HapppyLandings (Reply 2): Plus, I think it is illegal in most places around the world to sell cars without DRL's.
Canada requires DRLs for all new cars where as the US does not.
DfwRevolution From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1339 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 1): Go out in the desert, put two cars side by side, turn the DLRs on one of them and then go 10 miles up the road. Which car do you think you'll see and which one you won't
I'm going to go with neither since they would both be over Earth's horizon
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 14, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1274 times:
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 11): I'm going to go with neither since they would both be over Earth's horizon
Whats your point? It was an simple example explaining my views. Got a problem with that or is your life so pathetic that you have to sift through internet forums finding some sort of technicality that you can correct and prove your manhood. Get a life, seriously.
Quoting Andz (Reply 13): All vehicles have had red reflectors on the back here for as long as I can remember.
Very few cars have extra rear reflectors here, but there are becoming more popular in newer models. For the most part, the only rear reflectors we have our built into the tail lights themselves.
Quoting Andz (Reply 13): As a motorcyclist they are not a safety feature. If everyone has their lights on, bikes disappear.
No they don't. You see them just as well as any other vehicle on the road. It doesn't matter if the traffic has 2 wheels or 4 wheels. If you see it, you see it.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 15, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1267 times:
I have a 2005 Ford Focus. It does have two red reflectors around the brakelight areas and two amber reflectors on the bumper on the side of the vehicle. My car also has the DRL feature which is a good thing.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 16, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1267 times:
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Quoting Andz (Reply 13): As a motorcyclist they are not a safety feature. If everyone has their lights on, bikes disappear.
I don't think bikes will "disappear", but I agree that they won't stand out as much as they have in the past. Riders particularly concerned about being visible on their motorcycle should purchase a pulsing headlight.
Quoting HapppyLandings (Reply 2): I am sure you still find the occasional ignorant driver that 'forgot' to turn his lights on in the evening or at night
Not just at night, but in inclement weather. It amazes me how stupid people can be. Visibility can be down to 1/4 mile in heavy rain, and they'll either turn nothing on, or they'll only turn on their running lights. It never seems to occur to them that headlights aren't just to see, but also to be seen.
Then there are the drivers who drive well into dusk with only their running lights on. Judging by the age of these drivers and the modifications they've done to their cars, I'm fairly certain they do it because they think it looks cool.
I really wish cops would ticket these idiots more often.
MD11Engineer From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 13369 posts, RR: 64 Reply 17, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1247 times:
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 16): I don't think bikes will "disappear", but I agree that they won't stand out as much as they have in the past. Riders particularly concerned about being visible on their motorcycle should purchase a pulsing headlight.
DfwRevolution From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1243 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 14): Whats your point? It was an simple example explaining my views.
But it's not a simple issue. The effectiveness of DRLs is highly variable and scientific studies show their safety ranges from marginal (at best) to slightly detrimental (at the worst). But like so many things today, people buy into them because they seem like a good idea in concept and give little more thought to their practical implications.
Sorry to piss in your coffee, pick a better example next time. And by the nature of your reaction, I'm going to wager that I am currently living the more fulfilling life.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 20, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1241 times:
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Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 18): The effectiveness of DRLs is highly variable and scientific studies show their safety ranges from marginal (at best) to slightly detrimental (at the worst).
Do you happen to have a link to any of those studies? It doesn't seem logical to me, and I'd like to learn more about it.
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8557 posts, RR: 14 Reply 21, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 1222 times:
Quoting Flybyguy (Thread starter):
I've always wondered why daytime running lights are a safety feature... especially in places that are dry and sunny. Wouldn't it be better for the headlamps if they only turned on when the ambient light intensity was low?
I used to have a car that had DRL's. It was a 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara. My 07 Caliber does not have them as they are optional.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 22, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 1216 times:
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 18): The effectiveness of DRLs is highly variable and scientific studies show their safety ranges from marginal (at best) to slightly detrimental (at the worst).
A good handful of WN's 733's have the rotating flashing lights on approach. That is a great example of seeing an aircraft from such a distance. It proves safety otherwise, during the day. You'll see the lights first before you see the faintest outline of the aircraft....
Quoting RobertNL070 (Reply 19): Plus the fact that motorbike headlights are usually mounted higher than those of a standard car.
Explains why they are so bright behind me at night. Ughh!
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 23, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1187 times:
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 18): But it's not a simple issue. The effectiveness of DRLs is highly variable and scientific studies show their safety ranges from marginal (at best) to slightly detrimental (at the worst). But like so many things today, people buy into them because they seem like a good idea in concept and give little more thought to their practical implications.
It was a simple example, deal with it.
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 18): Sorry to piss in your coffee, pick a better example next time
Don't like my example? Then fuck off and piss in some one else's coffee.
Quoting DfwRevolution (Reply 18): And by the nature of your reaction, I'm going to wager that I am currently living the more fulfilling life.
Andz From South Africa, joined Feb 2004, 8306 posts, RR: 11 Reply 24, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1174 times:
Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 14): No they don't. You see them just as well as any other vehicle on the road. It doesn't matter if the traffic has 2 wheels or 4 wheels. If you see it, you see it.
That's fine in a country where people know how to drive and actually look before they do anything.
Quoting RobertNL070 (Reply 19): Rubbish. Having said that, I don't know how motorists drive in SA. Hopefully I'll be finding out next year
You're entitled to your opinion, I am speaking from personal experience. Wait and see.
After Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF...
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 25, posted (4 years 9 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1149 times:
Quoting Andz (Reply 24): That's fine in a country where people know how to drive and actually look before they do anything.
I'm in Canada, trust me, people have no clue when it comes to driving or acutally looking around ...
Seriously though. DRLs have been standard here since 1990 and out of my own personal experience, they're a great thing. You see the vehicle way earlier then you would with out DRLs, no matter what the weather conditions are like. And it honestly doesn't matter if there are 2, 4 or 18 wheels attached to those lights. They have your attention.
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