Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
The law here that requires those stupid daytime running lights was lobbied by the bulb manufacturers..Look how many more they will sell. Mike - Original Message - From: "Werner Fehlauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 2:04 PM Subject: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights Just a few years ago, it was actually against the law in Italy (and perhaps other European towns) to drive at night with bright headlamps. The theory was that without the blinding glare of oncoming car headlights, it was much easier to see pedestrians that often walked across city streets. Some local cars had a separate, low wattage bulb within the normal headlamp enclosure, which were equivalent to our Western "parking" lamps. American cars were required to drive around these towns using only parking lamps at night. For parking purposes, the only thing that would make sense nowadays is the European method of only turning on the front and back lamps on the road side. Having all corners lit only serves to drain the battery! Now for dumb ideas, try the "Daytime Running Lights", which in some cars were initially the high beams! Werner 1990 300D 1983 300SD 1987 F150 - Original Message - From: "David Brodbeck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 1:39 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Funny boo boo among MB owners ernest breakfield wrote: properly adjusted quality front fog lights wouldn't blind anyone, and add a great deal to the conspicuity of your vehicle in traffic (with or without fog). given the caliber of our average fellow motorists as evidenced by what they will pull out of and then claim they "didn't see", almost anything could be justified as necessary. I don't see how running with fog lights will make your car any more visible to other motorists than having just your headlights on. Even when aimed properly, they still create another bright point source of light to dazzle oncoming drivers. My personal nomination for the dumbest use of lighting, though, are people who drive around with just their parking lights on. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Werner Fehlauer wrote: > Now for dumb ideas, try the "Daytime Running Lights", which in some cars > were initially the high beams! > Generally they're the high beams operated at a lower wattage. I've never found them to be a glare problem in daylight, and they do make cars much more visible. (I think there was a study a while back, in Canada, that found they reduced accidents.) My car is not equipped with DRLs but I run with my low-beam headlights on pretty much all the time. I started doing this back when I was spending a lot of time on two-lane highways, after one too many people tried to run head-on into me while they were passing.
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance of being in a collision with your headlights on. This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers Jeff Zedic Toronto
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
I didn't say conspiracy did I? I said "it was lobbied by". That is a fact. Of course it was in thier best interest to do so and thier right as a group. No accusations being thrown around here just stating that they stand to profit from the law and therefore stood behind getting it passed. Mike - Original Message - From: "Jeff Zedic" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 2:53 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance of being in a collision with your headlights on. This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers Jeff Zedic Toronto ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
This brings up a similar question I have. On Thanksgiving this year my wife tells me that I'm supposed to have my headlights on for all Holidays and acts like I'm the biggest weirdo in the world for never having heard such a thing and that I'm basically trying to kill us all by not having my headlights on during the nice sunny day. "And here I thought you've had them on all these past Holidays! OMG!". WTF is up with that? Is this known by everyone but me? If so, how many people actually do it? Or is this just something my wife caught on the news some year? Levi On 11/27/06, Jeff Zedic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance of being in a collision with your headlights on. This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers Jeff Zedic Toronto ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
I think most people and authorities agree that with some kind of lights turned on, a car (especially a gray or darker color, perhaps even dirty) on a murky day is much more visible than one without lights on. Its the implementation that I have an issue with, in that more and brighter are not necessarily safer, IMO. As for having headlights on on holidays, that started as an optional recommendation a few years back in another (misguided??) effort to reduce accidents when the traffic is heavier and (poorly trained) drivers more impatient. I don't think that there's a law in any state that requires them to be on holidays. The first problem would be to define "holidays"! IMO, we need less of these "save us from ourselves" laws, and better driver training and use of common sense. Werner - Original Message - From: "Levi Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights This brings up a similar question I have. On Thanksgiving this year my wife tells me that I'm supposed to have my headlights on for all Holidays and acts like I'm the biggest weirdo in the world for never having heard such a thing and that I'm basically trying to kill us all by not having my headlights on during the nice sunny day. "And here I thought you've had them on all these past Holidays! OMG!". WTF is up with that? Is this known by everyone but me? If so, how many people actually do it? Or is this just something my wife caught on the news some year? Levi On 11/27/06, Jeff Zedic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance of being in a collision with your headlights on. This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers Jeff Zedic Toronto ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Never heard of such a thing. Ridiculous if you ask me. Mike - Original Message - From: "Levi Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 3:04 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights This brings up a similar question I have. On Thanksgiving this year my wife tells me that I'm supposed to have my headlights on for all Holidays and acts like I'm the biggest weirdo in the world for never having heard such a thing and that I'm basically trying to kill us all by not having my headlights on during the nice sunny day. "And here I thought you've had them on all these past Holidays! OMG!". WTF is up with that? Is this known by everyone but me? If so, how many people actually do it? Or is this just something my wife caught on the news some year? Levi On 11/27/06, Jeff Zedic <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance of being in a collision with your headlights on. This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers Jeff Zedic Toronto ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Mike Canfield wrote: > Never heard of such a thing. Ridiculous if you ask me. > > I haven't heard of that one. In some states you're legally required to have your headlights on when you're using your windshield wipers, though -- an attempt to coerce drivers into making their cars more visible under poor conditions, no doubt.
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Yeah, that one I'll agree with for sure. It always amazes me at the amount of dumb shmucks out on the highway in pouring rain and really dark skies who can't figure out how to turn their lights on so that someone might actually see them... I'm not against turning on headlights if it's a definite good idea. My wife said "If there's a doubt, turn them on". I agree. However, if the sun is out and the day is quite clear and I'm on a divided highway I don't have much doubt that the headlights aren't going to make much difference. The only thing I notice slightly more are the oncoming cars that are way on the other side of the median. I suppose if one of them tried and actually succeeded in making it across the median I might notice them sooner in that case... Levi On 11/27/06, David Brodbeck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Mike Canfield wrote: > Never heard of such a thing. Ridiculous if you ask me. > > I haven't heard of that one. In some states you're legally required to have your headlights on when you're using your windshield wipers, though -- an attempt to coerce drivers into making their cars more visible under poor conditions, no doubt. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
while traveling in the Deserts, it's clear that vehicles with headlights on are much more visible even/especially on the brightest of days. it's a recommended practice at many parks in the Deserts. cheers! e Levi Smith wrote: > However, if the sun is > out and the day is quite clear and I'm on a divided highway I don't have > much doubt that the headlights aren't going to make much difference.
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
"supposed to"? says who; some radio show host?;-) a) how would we define holidays? Chanukah? Dia de los Muertos? Boxing Day? b) if it's beneficial, why should it only be beneficial on holidays? silly. cheers! e Levi Smith wrote: > This brings up a similar question I have. On Thanksgiving this year my wife > tells me that I'm supposed to have my headlights on for all Holidays and > acts like I'm the biggest weirdo in the world for never having heard such a > thing and that I'm basically trying to kill us all by not having my > headlights on during the nice sunny day. "And here I thought you've had > them on all these past Holidays! OMG!". > > WTF is up with that? Is this known by everyone but me? If so, how many > people actually do it? Or is this just something my wife caught on the news > some year? > > Levi
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Since about 1993 we have had a law in Oz that motorbikes have to have their headlights wired to come on when the ignition is turned on. Not that it makes much difference with all those geniuses driving cars, so far this year out of a total of about 104 road deaths in South Australia, 24 have been motorcyclists. To be fair most of them are inexperienced riders with powerful Japanese bikes, it's the old "I see em going fast on TV, so I can go fast too" syndrome. - Original Message - From: "ernest breakfield" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:38 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights while traveling in the Deserts, it's clear that vehicles with headlights on are much more visible even/especially on the brightest of days. it's a recommended practice at many parks in the Deserts. cheers! e Levi Smith wrote: However, if the sun is out and the day is quite clear and I'm on a divided highway I don't have much doubt that the headlights aren't going to make much difference. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.14.16/552 - Release Date: 26/11/2006
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Think of it as evolution in action. Also a significant argument against the concept of intelligent design. Most of those who meet their demise probably have not yet contributed to the deeper end of the gene pool. --R Hendrik Riessen wrote: so far this year out of a total of about 104 road deaths in South Australia, 24 have been motorcyclists. To be fair most of them are inexperienced riders with powerful Japanese bikes, it's the old "I see em going fast on TV, so I can go fast too" syndrome.
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
we have a similar law in the US. of course, it shouldn't really be necessary for it to be a law; even with daytime high-beam use and full-time use of large aux. lights, 'cagers' still don't seem to 'see' motorcyclists (although studies show they 'see' them if they're black & white and carry badges and guns). fact is, motorists 'see' them, but don't consciously recognize them as a factor in traffic unless they're a LEO. those of who survive on 2 wheels have acknowledged the fact that in spite of all the efforts we might make, we're invisible to the Average Motorist. motorcycle traffic fatalities here are about what you would expect; the statistics are that the highest percentage of them are single vehicle (meaning they did it to themselves without the involvement of any other vehicle). after you know that, it's not surprising to see how the categorical peaks in the rest of the specs fall in line; highest percentages are those with low levels of experience, 20'ish male drivers (though there's been an increase in older riders returning to motorcycling), and happen in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday or Sunday,... not surprisingly, alcohol is a frequent factor, and these same riders are rarely wearing full protective gear. cheers! e Hendrik Riessen wrote: > Since about 1993 we have had a law in Oz that motorbikes have to have their > headlights wired to come on when the ignition is turned on. Not that it > makes much difference with all those geniuses driving cars, so far this year > out of a total of about 104 road deaths in South Australia, 24 have been > motorcyclists. To be fair most of them are inexperienced riders with > powerful Japanese bikes, it's the old "I see em going fast on TV, so I can > go fast too" syndrome. > > - Original Message - > From: "ernest breakfield" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Mercedes Discussion List" > Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 7:38 AM > Subject: Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights > > > while traveling in the Deserts, it's clear that vehicles with headlights > > on are > > much more visible even/especially on the brightest of days. it's a > > recommended > > practice at many parks in the Deserts. > > > > > > cheers! > > e > > > > > > Levi Smith wrote: > > > >> However, if the sun is > >> out and the day is quite clear and I'm on a divided highway I don't have > >> much doubt that the headlights aren't going to make much difference.
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
No conspiracy; it was just the typical misunderstood statistical study. The original only attempted to determine the efficacy of DRL at dusk, which in the Nordic countries happens for a greater proportion of the day than it does here far below the artic circle, and probably a fair bit more than the more populous areas of Canada. Of course our wonderful politicians, particularly those who view the populace as a set of problems that need to be managed, were quick to require them by law so that they can send letters to all of their constituents explaining how they're making their lives better and safer. YMMV. ...Kevin Jeff Zedic said: > We have had the DRLs here in Canada since 1994. The reasoning at the time > was a satudy doe in Sweden that showed a 50% or higher drop in the chance > of > being in a collision with your headlights on. > > This wasn't some conspiracy with the bulb manufacturers > > > Jeff Zedic > Toronto > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- "Thank God for Microsoft" -- Linus Torvalds
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Yes, this would also explain the Army's experiments with fitting a row of bright lights on top of desert tanks to make them "more visible" to the enemy.. ...Kevin ernest breakfield said: > while traveling in the Deserts, it's clear that vehicles with headlights > on are > much more visible even/especially on the brightest of days. it's a > recommended > practice at many parks in the Deserts. > > > cheers! > e > > > Levi Smith wrote: > >> However, if the sun is >> out and the day is quite clear and I'm on a divided highway I don't have >> much doubt that the headlights aren't going to make much difference. > > > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > -- "Thank God for Microsoft" -- Linus Torvalds
Re: [MBZ] parking/driving/fog lights
Since about 1993 we have had a law in Oz that motorbikes have to have their headlights wired to come on when the ignition is turned on. Since the mid-70's in the States. I know I got stopped by the cops in high school in about '77 or '78, on my '73 Honda that didn't have it wired on automatically. -- Jim
