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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → Why do people drive with only their parking lights on?
This one has bugged and baffled me for who knows how long.
During dusk and dawn, why do some people drive their vehicles with only their parking lights on? They're harder to see than headlights, so why would you not turn your headlights on?
Is it that much more exhausting to turn the headlights on??
What's up with that???
Thanks, I've vented now.
A more common question than one might think. A mechanic friend of mine always mocked "because they want to save on "electricity". Yuk yuk.
This one has bugged and baffled me for who knows how long.
During dusk and dawn, why do some people drive their vehicles with only their parking lights on? They're harder to see than headlights, so why would you not turn your headlights on?
Is it that much more exhausting to turn the headlights on??
What's up with that???
Thanks, I've vented now.
True confession time. This happens to me. It's not intentional, I just fail to turn the lights all the way on. I own a Subaru which always has running lights and a lit interior panel. I don't realize it until I get on back roads. What makes me angry (amongst many things when I'm driving lol ) is people don't use their turn signals, or they wait until they are turning to put them on. GGGrrrr
Well I drive a truck and usually leave at least the parking lights on when I drive cause I have side marking lights that (I like to think) catch people's eye a little quicker than no lights. I usually don't use my headlights during the day to keep them from burning out as quick and I have a few amber marking lights on the front anyway. Plus, should I have a headlight go out during the day, and my lights are on, it is more noticeable to DOT whereas no lights on, it's out of mind.
I suppose people in cars do it for basically the same reason, I don't know! I never drive with any lights on during the day in my car. Incidentally, my other favorite are people who have daytime running lights and never bother actually turning their lights on in the rain because they assume their lights are on however the rear lights are not on...
GM products have had daytime or anytime the vehicle is running lights for a number of years now. A safety issue. It used to be more common to drive with your parking lights on @ dusk to save the headlights till the sun was down. However I think the answer to question would be because they can.
Think Green,
J Dawg
Must be an American thing, though here in the Uk there's an increasing number of vehicles with automatic sensors on headlights, which means they drive all day with headlamps on.
Our bug is foglights, especially rear ones, switched on on even the clearest days; looks like the car in front is driving with his brakes on (usually drive that way anyhow...) Oh for photon torpedoes (or machine guns at a push).
Probably to let the other drivers at dusk to see YOUR TAILLIGHTS as the light of day starts to dim.......
By accident after a night at a Blues festival, I accidently forgot to turn on my tail lights on my Totyota RAV4. I have front headlights that are on all the time and thought if I forgot to turn on my full lights at night, the dashboard sensor would for me. Wrong! The Mequon Police who stopped me were not pleased that my tail lights were not lit and of course, considering the time of 2:00 AM, they are looking for any reason to pull a person over. Moral of the story, Stay Home or Turn your Lights ON!
Roy
I knew someone would bring up 'bad drivers' at some point, wanted to do it a long time ago. The number one offense imo is failure to use turn signals and/or use in a timely manner. I never use just the parking lights. And since we started the vent thing, my #1 peeve is inconsiderate drivers talking on their phone and not paying attention to traffic, their #1 offense is failure to take the right of way. I always like to ask someone if they say hey it's OK to talk and drive, which I will not do unless it's an emergency, "What kind of cell phone did you use when you took the road test to get your license?"
that's what I thought.
Massa the Blues wrote:This one has bugged and baffled me for who knows how long.
During dusk and dawn, why do some people drive their vehicles with only their parking lights on? They're harder to see than headlights, so why would you not turn your headlights on?
Is it that much more exhausting to turn the headlights on??
What's up with that???
Thanks, I've vented now.
True confession time. This happens to me. It's not intentional, I just fail to turn the lights all the way on. I own a Subaru which always has running lights and a lit interior panel. I don't realize it until I get on back roads. What makes me angry (amongst many things when I'm driving lol ) is people don't use their turn signals, or they wait until they are turning to put them on. GGGrrrr
+1 on front end mounted 50 caliber machine guns, I would have been in prison long ago. 
Must be an American thing, though here in the Uk there's an increasing number of vehicles with automatic sensors on headlights, which means they drive all day with headlamps on.
Our bug is foglights, especially rear ones, switched on on even the clearest days; looks like the car in front is driving with his brakes on (usually drive that way anyhow...) Oh for photon torpedoes (or machine guns at a push).
If wer sharing pet peeves too I will say mine are FAILING TO YIELD when entering the highway, and also not merging at speed. I don't know why the on ramp is so difficult to understand? Use the whole thing and if its short, then don't drive out to the end of it only to sit and wait. Stop at the beginning and leave some room to accelerate...
As I said above, I drive all day and I've seen it all. I don't mind so much people on their phones talking but it's obvious when their phone conversation is hindering their ability to operate a vehicle. And signaling also irritates me but I've learned to watch people's movements and hands in their mirror or through their windows to make an educated guess as to what bonehead move they're about to pull...
All our cars have daytime driving lights/automatic headlights. I dig 'em. Takes forgetfulness and light level judgement out of the equation. Surprised all new cars don't have them. I don't remember the last time I replaced a head lamp either...
Photon torpedoes! Sweet. I'll try ordering those as an option on the next new car.
We could have a sticky thread on driving peeves.
Probably to let the other drivers at dusk to see YOUR TAILLIGHTS as the light of day starts to dim.......
We have tail-lights, they come on with sidelight and headlight. Foglights are supposed to be only used (in the UK) when visibility drops below 100 yards; not when the sun is shining, mid day in summer
As I said above, I drive all day and I've seen it all. I don't mind so much people on their phones talking but it's obvious when their phone conversation is hindering their ability to operate a vehicle. And signaling also irritates me but I've learned to watch people's movements and hands in their mirror or through their windows to make an educated guess as to what bonehead move they're about to pull...
People using mobiles - with you there. Last year, saw one up on that - a guy obviously heading into work, shaving while driving!
Signaling, again, we're of the same mind. You know you're the tourist in town when you're the only one using your indicators.
OK since no one else is coming clean, I will.
I used to do it back in the day with my 66 Chevelle SS because I thought it looked cool while crusing town with my buddies. Grand Funk on the 8 track, windows down...
OK since no one else is coming clean, I will.
I used to do it back in the day with my 66 Chevelle SS because I thought it looked cool while crusing town with my buddies. Grand Funk on the 8 track, windows down...
66 SS Chevelle! Cool! Big block? Is it one of those "I wish I still had it" stories? At least cars looked good back then no matter what lights were on or off!
Volvo cars - Starting up - lights come on automatically - Health and Safety!
I don't have a problem with it.
I do have a problem with people who can't be bothered to dip their headlights with oncoming traffic - it's common sense and being considerate of other road users.
Brack, in the U.S. a looong time ago, there was a public service television campaign with the tag line,
"Mister night blinder, you just killed a man!"
Stu Craig wrote:OK since no one else is coming clean, I will.
I used to do it back in the day with my 66 Chevelle SS because I thought it looked cool while crusing town with my buddies. Grand Funk on the 8 track, windows down...
66 SS Chevelle! Cool! Big block? Is it one of those "I wish I still had it" stories? At least cars looked good back then no matter what lights were on or off!
Yes sir. It is very definitely one of those 'I wish I still had it' cars. I paid $1200 for it in 1973 from a used car lot. Nowadays I watch Barrett-Jackson on TV and just shake my head...but lots of fond memories.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Off Topics → Why do people drive with only their parking lights on?
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