Hello

Is it some undeniably daft new regulation or is there some good reason why
an awful lot of Central London buses are now going around with their
headlights seemingly permanently (and IMHO pointlessly) switched on?

Some of the lights are so bright that they are dazzling even in daylight!

Regards
John M Upton

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In message , JMUpton2000
writes
Hello

Is it some undeniably daft new regulation or is there some good reason why
an awful lot of Central London buses are now going around with their
headlights seemingly permanently (and IMHO pointlessly) switched on?

Some of the lights are so bright that they are dazzling even in daylight!


Don't know if this is the real reason for buses doing so, but I use
headlights when travelling down bus lanes in my taxi. This is because
there are so many other drivers who think that they can use the bus lane
with impunity and also on the grounds of safety - at least there is a
better chance that they will see me


--
Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England

Is it some undeniably daft new regulation or is there some good reason why
an awful lot of Central London buses are now going around with their
headlights seemingly permanently (and IMHO pointlessly) switched on?

Perhaps they have a Volvo chassis and like the cars the lights are always
on.

On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 01:04:49 +0100, "JMUpton2000" security novels @f
ree uk.com wrote:

Hello

Is it some undeniably daft new regulation or is there some good reason why
an awful lot of Central London buses are now going around with their
headlights seemingly permanently (and IMHO pointlessly) switched on?

Some of the lights are so bright that they are dazzling even in daylight!

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 01:04:49 +0100, "JMUpton2000" security novels @f
ree uk.com wrote:

Hello

Is it some undeniably daft new regulation or is there some good reason why
an awful lot of Central London buses are now going around with their
headlights seemingly permanently (and IMHO pointlessly) switched on?

Some of the lights are so bright that they are dazzling even in daylight!

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

I've driven in countries where headlights are the law and also in parts of
the USA where they are becoming the norm. I like it and I do it (even
though I don't drive a Volvo). Two particular reasons;

1) I was driving in bright sunlight approaching a wood on a narrow road when
a car coming the other way suddenly appeared from the wood (which was in
heavy shadow) and missed me by a whisker. Had he had his lights on I would
have had a better chance of seeing him.
2) When I have driven in places where headlights are the norm I have found
that I spot other vehicles earler than I would otherwise.

On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:06:12 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.

However, it is actually dangerous for other vehicles because it
artificially (subconsciously) distracts attention towards that vehicle
only, and away from others.

Daytime headlights should either be a legal requirement or switched
off.

Neil

--
Neil Williams in Milton Keynes, UK
When replying please use neil at the above domain
'wensleydale' is a spam trap and is not read.

"Neil Williams" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:06:12 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.

However, it is actually dangerous for other vehicles because it
artificially (subconsciously) distracts attention towards that vehicle
only, and away from others.

Daytime headlights should either be a legal requirement or switched
off.

Neil

We have had a ruling in Blackpool for about 18 months now, saying that all
buses must use dipped headlights during daytime. Personally, I *never*
drive with dipped headlights in daylight, except :- Spray conditions (legal
requirement), pedestrianised areas, and bus/taxi only areas.
Dashe

"Dashe" wrote in message
...

"Neil Williams" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:06:12 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.

However, it is actually dangerous for other vehicles because it
artificially (subconsciously) distracts attention towards that vehicle
only, and away from others.

Daytime headlights should either be a legal requirement or switched
off.

Neil

We have had a ruling in Blackpool for about 18 months now, saying that all
buses must use dipped headlights during daytime. Personally, I *never*
drive with dipped headlights in daylight, except :- Spray conditions
(legal
requirement), pedestrianised areas, and bus/taxi only areas.

I also use dipped headlights in tunnels and multi-storey car parks. I've
never driven in a pedestrianised area or a bus/taxi lane (it would be
illegal for me) but I can see the sense in authorised vehicles doing this -
at least for the pedestrianised area.

For some reason, the instructions in the Mersey tunnel specifically say
"don't turn on your headlights" which seems strange to me - if you're
driving at night, are you actually expected to turn them off as you enter
the tunnel and remember to turn them back on when you leave? If the exit is
well-illuminated by street lights, it will be very easy to forget to turn
them back on...


I didn't realise that some countries mandated dipped headlights at all
times. I know that some Scandinavian countries mandate side/tail lights.

"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...
Don't know if this is the real reason for buses doing so, but I use
headlights when travelling down bus lanes in my taxi. This is because
there are so many other drivers who think that they can use the bus lane
with impunity and also on the grounds of safety - at least there is a
better chance that they will see me

What you really mean is that when you travel down a bus lane to undertake a
load of traffic and then push your way back in front of them there is a
lesser chance that they won't move out the way.

But, yes, following a number of recent incidents I now drive with my
headlights permanently on, and have recently had the car modified so that
they are on by default.

Graham Harrison ) gurgled happily,
sounding much like they were saying :

I've driven in countries where headlights are the law and also in
parts of the USA where they are becoming the norm.

The US is a particularly entertaining case - they've legislated Daytime
Running Lights that come on with the ignition.

But only at the front.

So what they're finding, AIUI, is that more and more people are
"forgetting" to turn their proper lights on as dark approaches - no need,
their lights are on, they can see fine - but, of course, there's no REAR
lights on...

Only in 'merkinland.