I had to drive this weekend in this horrible nor'easter that we are having and could not believe how many drivers did not have their headlights on. First, its the law in Virginia that you have headlights on when wipers are on. Second, in driving rain and highway splash it is almost impossible to see your car without lights on. So when TRAVELING in the rain please turn on the headlights. Thank you!

What Birdie said . . . same when it's snowing!

I leave my headlights on all the time. The car turns them off automatically whenever I shut the car off and lock the doors. In Canada, all cars must have daytime running lights (headlights on half brightness) because, I believe, they think that cuts down on the number of accidents.

Andrew

I try to always keep my day running lights on too. Sometimes, when I drive at night, I accidentally turn the knob all the way which turns off everything. Hate when I do that 'cause I like using the day lights. That way, I know if it starts to rain I'm covered.

And, while we're at it, three cheers for the guy who invented those DRLs. Before we had them, even though I knew it was safer to have lights on in the rain, I was always somewhat afraid to turn them on 'cause it was so hard to remember to turn them off. Now I don't have to worry about it. As Andrew said, they go off when you turn off the car. Wonderful invention!

I usually try to stay our of the oncomming lane . . that way, headlights are not an issue

I don't get this. Don't most headlights stay on day and night?

No, not all. I drive with mine on day or night.

Alaska state law to have them on at all times, all year. \
With the long summer days and people in a hurry on the highways, spotting a headlight, especially on a light colored car, can save lives.
Of course, not everyone follows the rules, sometimes people get the light flash reminder from the state patrol.

BG, mine automatically come on when I start my car.

I thought most cars were like that now.

Probably depends on your car, GT. In ours, the knob has to be set to the day running lights setting. Then, after dark, it has to be moved up to full headlights. The day ones aren't powerful enough for complete darkness.

I love cars like yours, GT. I wish mine was like that, but it's more of the manual type like Caph's.

I wish it were a state law in all states. Head/tail lights often save lives - even when the weather isn't bad.

In CA the law is headlights must be on if you use the wipers - but about 25-30% ignore it altogether.

My last two cars have had automatic headlights - on whenever the car is in gear and brighten by themselves as it gets darker.

Interestingly - I lived in the UK several years and about 30-35 years ago it was illegal to use ones headlights in built up areas at night!. The theory was headlights confused things w/ all the other lighting around - street lamps, traffic lights, zebra crossings, etc. You could use your side lights but most people didn't.

So basically you drove through the dark countryside and then turned your headlights off when you entered town.

That has all changed since then tho'

The problem occurred when I tried to change lanes and couldn't see someone coming up on the side or came up behind someone and their tail lights weren't on. Whether the lights were automatic or not, they weren't on.

I drive a very old car and the lights are all worked manually.

To make matters worse, there is no warning bell to tell me that the lights are on when I turn off the engine. This has caused more dead batteries than you can imagine.

I may have to put a little sign on the door that says "turn off the lights" because although I prefer to drive with the lights on, I just can't remember to shut them off.

I'll never forget a scene from a book that was made into a movie (can't think of the name!) about a couple who went skiing with their two teenage sons one winter and a blizzard hit and they were turning left on a highway and because the blinker wasn't working, they were hit and the boys were killed (was it a John Irving novel?).

Drive safely everyone! And use your turn signals AND headlights!

lynnejoel1015,
Was that The World According To Garp??

Back to the topic. I hate it when I'm on the Turnpike and it's pouring rain and people are not using their lights. It's impossible to see these stupid people. It is also the law here---wipers on , lights on. You're right---"no one'e home"!

Things have changed here in the UK janisj, but not enough in my view.

Although it's not mandatory, just advisable, to use dipped headlights in inclement weather, I tend now to follow the rule that I thought applied to the whole of the USA i.e. dipped headlights in foggy conditions and most certainly in rain/snow.

Many cvars have daytime running lights that come on when you start the car. Even with these "half headlights" on, the tail lights are not on which is bad when driving behind such a car in foul weather.

I have several pet peeves that i'm constantly reminded of when I'm driving, but we won't go into that right now.

Before I owned a car with DRL (Corolla), I turned the headlights on manually when I started the engine. As a pilot, I know the advantages of making your "vehicle" as visible as possible.

Much as I moan and groan in this forum when someone mentions rain in Seattle, I have to agree that some drivers are absolute idiots when it comes to turning their headlights on...even in the evening/night on dry days.

I will be happy when DRLs are mandatory, as they are in Canada.

BG - I read your first post as "...same when its snoring", and wondered if that would be better when light are out!