Side lights

[enfieldspares]

Side lights are from the time when street lights were designed to cause silhouette shapes from pedestrians. As such can more easily be seen by a driver than can a pedestrian where everything is not in silhouette. Modern street lamps and modern car headlamps now don't create that effect. But as a kid it was easier back then to see pedestrians because of this silhouette effect.

• Silhouette Vision (early 1930s onwards): The modern understanding and intentional design for silhouette lighting developed in the 1930s. This approach recognizes that in many situations, objects on the road are seen more effectively as dark silhouettes against the brighter road surface or background, rather than being directly illuminated themselves. This became a major theoretical underpinning of street lighting practice in the UK from the mid-1930s to the 1960s.

street lighting | uk > timeline

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Every pedestrian wears black it seems to me and walks not against the traffic flow, Darwins rule perhaps.

 

[Rake Aboot]

My truck lights are on auto, same with the cars, I’ve never “ put my lights on “ for years.
Quite happy with that.

Less happy that I can’t turn my truck lights off when I’m out night shooting. Annoying as ferk

 

[Scarpa]

The number of cars i see on motorways and things just driving with sidelights and therefore no rear lights on is shocking

It's the issue that on some cars auto lights don't have rears on for daytime running, on other cars they do. So if you are driving in daylight they only have front sidelight on.

 

[Faust]

My pet hate is those that wait at traffic lights and queueing traffic with their foot on the brake pedal thus displaying three high intensity rear lights to driver behind. Doesn't anyone use the handbrake anymore.

 

[Rake Aboot]

My pet hate is those that wait at traffic lights and queueing traffic with their foot on the brake pedal thus displaying three high intensity rear lights to driver behind. Doesn't anyone use the handbrake anymore.

Automatic cars.
Becoming the majority of cars on the road as well . The brake activates the stop start function as well. Basically, they are meant to use the foot brake for short stops like traffic lights etc.

 

[Smellydog]

I hate seeing someone holding their vehicle via the clutch for ages at lights on an incline. The poor bastard clutch must be glowing!
And some poor bastard will have to pay for an early clutch replacement when they buy that vehicle.
Use the freaking hand brake you cock...!

 

[Scarpa]

I hate seeing someone holding their vehicle via the clutch for ages at lights on an incline. The poor bastard clutch must be glowing!
And some poor bastard will have to pay for an early clutch replacement when they buy that vehicle.
Use the freaking hand brake you cock...!

Especially as many cars now have hill start assist so you don't risk slipping back if you are a muppet at clutch control

 

[Foxyboy43]

There you go lads - real indicators from a time long, long ago……

 

[wytonpjs]

Automatic cars.
Becoming the majority of cars on the road as well . The brake activates the stop start function as well. Basically, they are meant to use the foot brake for short stops like traffic lights etc.

I too detest this - everyone sits at traffic lights with their foot on the brake blinding you As the owner of an automatic I could so easily do that too but despite loathing the introduction of “electric” brakes, I know very much like them and will invariably apply it at traffic lights with feet off all pedals, knowing that as soon as I touch the accelerator the brake will be released. Simple, easy and at night and especially in the wet at night, I’m not blinding the car behind me

 

[wytonpjs]

Less happy that I can’t turn my truck lights off when I’m out night shooting. Annoying as ferk

 

[wytonpjs]

Automatic cars.
Becoming the majority of cars on the road as well . The brake activates the stop start function as well. Basically, they are meant to use the foot brake for short stops like traffic lights etc.

I too detest this - everyone sits at traffic lights with their foot on the brake blinding you As the owner of an automatic I could so easily do that too but despite loathing the introduction of “electric” brakes, I know very much like them and will invariably apply it at traffic lights with feet off all pedals, knowing that as soon as I touch the accelerator the brake will be released. Simple, easy and at night and especially in the wet at night, I’m not blinding the car behind me

 

[dryan]

Count yourselves lucky, my Landrover lights throw about as much light as two birthday cake candles, the full beam doesn’t really increase the distance, just lets me see the side of the road more clearly. On a really dark night I have to use the bumper mounted fog lights to see where the road is (and they’re replacements).

 

[wytonpjs]

@Mountain Bug

Ok, this isn't about side lights but I'll throw this in. Auto dimming headlights are the new bane of my night driving. They dim to oncoming lights only (apparently). What idiot engineer decided that running your brights while 50 yards behind another car wasn't irritating? And, no, none of my old cars or trucks have this option or ever will.

Hi Scott

This really depends upon the manufacturer’s design of the car’s system. My Land Rover comes with an auto dip system and their incarnation of this dips on seeing tail lights as well as headlights. Its sensitivity is such that it will also dip for some reflective signs and red markers too. I wasn’t comfortable with it at first and just used to manually dip not using the auto setting but frankly, its reactions are faster than mine and when I’m being dazzled by oncoming LED lights on a wet and twisting road at night, it’s one less thing to think about.

ATB

PS - first of those stainless steel cartridge loaded rounds went down the range Wednesday with no issues bar they don’t seem to feed as well as brass from the S20’s magazines- happened with all 3. Yet to try to reload them - may have a play at the weekend

 

[Apthorpe]

Why do modern cars have side lights?
Why do some people drive in misty conditions with only their side lights on?

Because headlights reflect off the mist droplets and reduce visibility.

Why are they invariably driving silver coloured cars which blend into the mist?
Paul

Possibly an unwelcome observation but if you're driving in mist and having difficulty seeing a silver car, you're driving much too fast.

 

[Ploddy Paul]

Thanks all for the replies, I can agree with ( most ), of them. Another annoyance is drivers who leave their rear fog lights on when in a queue of traffic.
My point about the side lights though is why do we still have them? When driving at night or reduced visibility dipped headlights are the norm, so when would one use side lights? If I remember correctly until the 1950s or 60s if you parked on an unlit street you had to be facing the right way for the side you were on and leave your side lights on? But now?
Paul