New Jersey Turnpike

[Pete from Boston]

I had driven a Hyundai Sonata for nearly 5 years.  It had an option in which when the lights automatically go on when the engine was on (low beams = daytime running lights).  I got so used to leaving that option on that I find myself having to double back and turn off the lights on my Honda Civic Hybrid after exiting the car all the time now -- not to mention to remember to tun on the lights at night, since my car now does have running lights, I think they are already on.

And therein lies the cause of am uptick in the number of folks driving around with their headlights off at night.  I had to convince a friend recently who insisted the lights were on in his new car, only to finally realize they were not.  I have the same trouble in rentals.

[roadman65]

Yes if you have a car with auto lights like me, its hard to get used to manually turning on lights again.  It happened to me in Missouri after the sun set on I-70 when I was returning from Vandalia, IL to Wichita, KS.  I did not turn on the lights at first because with my own car, the car does it for me.

I noticed first the signs were hard to read.  I actually thought that MoDOT needed new signs, then I realized I was driving without lights.  Of course the signs only reflect your headlights which without them, it will not reflect any sort of light and therefore not showing anything at first.  Then every sign, of course, began to be seen in their entirety, but most of all I could be seen by other motorists which is why lights are necessary!

[jeffandnicole]

Oh, it's a law all right, but law enforcement is more interested in speeding tickets than safety issues.

Not always true, if at all.

But if you have statistics to point out how many speeding tickets are issued vs. other violations, I'll like to see them.

[roadman]

When I first got my current car, a 2012 Ford Focus, I had a few instances where I'd forget to turn my headlights on at night.  I soon figured out this was because, unlike every previous car I've ever owned or driven in the past 38+ years, the instrument cluster is illuminated at all times - even when the headlights are off.

[jeffandnicole]

When I first got my current car, a 2012 Ford Focus, I had a few instances where I'd forget to turn my headlights on at night.  I soon figured out this was because, unlike every previous car I've ever owned or driven in the past 38+ years, the instrument cluster is illuminated at all times - even when the headlights are off.

The worst I saw was a large black SUV driving without any lights on whatsoever in the night.  It was nearly impossible to see, especially being in front of him.  I forget what allowed to be even see this vehicle in the first place. 

The best I saw was when someone was driving an SUV at night with only the DRLs on...and watching her get pulled over! :-)

[BrianP]

but most of all I could be seen by other motorists which is why lights are necessary!

I swear many people on the road have zero concept of this.  They only think headlights are for you to see better. 

They have no lights on during a daytime rain shower.  "I don't need lights I can see well enough."  Never mind it will help others see you!!  Which is why many states have a rain/wiper law.

Even my 2011 Hyundai has manual lights.  But at least the car is sophisticated enough to turn them off after a while when the car is off. 

[cl94]

People in New York don't always follow the "lights on, wipers on" law and we've had one forever. Same with the cell phones. We were one of the first states to have a ban, yet I see it all the time. In many ways, I think auto lights made that worse because some cars don't turn on the lights if the wipers are active.

[Rothman]

NYSDOT's Ford Focuses have auto lights...except that the brake lights don't light up when they're set to "AUTO."  Made for a fun return trip from western NY a couple weeks ago.

[Duke87]

My girlfriend's car (2013 Focus) has automatic headlights and she leaves them in that setting always. I kind of hate it since I don't really trust it to turn them on and off when proper.

Especially since while it's easy to program a car to turn the lights on at night (use a photocell) or when the wipers are activated, there are other situations where headlight use is a good idea that the car won't recognize - most notably when driving on a rural two lane road with passing zones.

[roadman65]

When I first got my current car, a 2012 Ford Focus, I had a few instances where I'd forget to turn my headlights on at night.  I soon figured out this was because, unlike every previous car I've ever owned or driven in the past 38+ years, the instrument cluster is illuminated at all times - even when the headlights are off.

That is what happened to me in Missouri. Come to think of it the dashboard is lit at all times which also made me not realize that my car's lights were not on.

[jeffandnicole]

My girlfriend's car (2013 Focus) has automatic headlights and she leaves them in that setting always. I kind of hate it since I don't really trust it to turn them on and off when proper.

Especially since while it's easy to program a car to turn the lights on at night (use a photocell) or when the wipers are activated, there are other situations where headlight use is a good idea that the car won't recognize - most notably when driving on a rural two lane road with passing zones.

Doesn't the car have DRLs?  As far as the wipers go, just turn them on manually, then when you get to your destination, then them back to auto mode. Just like one would do if they turned the lights on and off anyway.

[SignBridge]

The only cars that I know have Daytime Running Lights as standard equipment (in USA) are General Motors, Honda and Toyota. I don't understand why the other car manufacturers have not gotten on-board with this. I believe in Canada DRL's are standard or required on all cars, presumably due to them having less daylight than we do. USA should make them standard too. Being seen better can only benefit us.

And I agree with J&N re: headlight operation. My 2011 Toyota Camry has both DRL's and automatic headlights but I still have no problem turning them on manually in the rain. And if you forget to turn them off, it's no problem either, they shut off by themselves after you get out of the car. The multi-position switch lets you override the automatic functions. You can even turn off the DRL's if you want to. And yes the instrument lighting is on day and night, but there is an icon that lights up when the full headlights/tailights are on either automatically or manually.

[Alps]

The only cars that I know have Daytime Running Lights as standard equipment (in USA) are General Motors, Honda and Toyota. I don't understand why the other car manufacturers have not gotten on-board with this. I believe in Canada DRL's are standard or required on all cars, presumably due to them having less daylight than we do. USA should make them standard too. Being seen better can only benefit us.

And I agree with J&N re: headlight operation. My 2011 Toyota Camry has both DRL's and automatic headlights but I still have no problem turning them on manually in the rain. And if you forget to turn them off, it's no problem either, they shut off by themselves after you get out of the car. The multi-position switch lets you override the automatic functions. You can even turn off the DRL's if you want to. And yes the instrument lighting is on day and night, but there is an icon that lights up when the full headlights/tailights are on either automatically or manually.

Headlights annoy me, even lower-powered ones, when it's sunny. They interfere with my vision. Ford operates the same way as Toyota. "You can even turn off the DRL's if you want to." = the way every car should be.

[mrsman]

When I first got my current car, a 2012 Ford Focus, I had a few instances where I'd forget to turn my headlights on at night.  I soon figured out this was because, unlike every previous car I've ever owned or driven in the past 38+ years, the instrument cluster is illuminated at all times - even when the headlights are off.

That is what happened to me in Missouri. Come to think of it the dashboard is lit at all times which also made me not realize that my car's lights were not on.

I agree with this.  The dashboard should only be lit up when the headlights are on (either automatic or manual).  I assume that my lights are on, even when they are not and that is a bad thing.

[roadman65]

That is the problem auto makers are coming out with things they think we need.  Just yesterday I saw a blinker bulb on the rear of the car that did not flash red or yellow. It flashed blue instead! 

I will bet all the young people of today who just started driving will think that is cool and make that something they should have to be hip in front of the others just like some do with the 2 inch tires they previously came out with.  The ones like many drive from certain neighborhoods are a trend now used by youths, so this I imagine will be the next one.

[jeffandnicole]

That is the problem auto makers are coming out with things they think we need.  Just yesterday I saw a blinker bulb on the rear of the car that did not flash red or yellow. It flashed blue instead! 

I will bet all the young people of today who just started driving will think that is cool and make that something they should have to be hip in front of the others just like some do with the 2 inch tires they previously came out with.  The ones like many drive from certain neighborhoods are a trend now used by youths, so this I imagine will be the next one.

That blue flasher was probably aftermarket already. I *think* flasher lights must be red or orange. A ticket or two, and some mumbling about how cops always pick on teens instead of going after real criminals, and these lights will go away.

[roadman]

My girlfriend's car (2013 Focus) has automatic headlights and she leaves them in that setting always. I kind of hate it since I don't really trust it to turn them on and off when proper.

Especially since while it's easy to program a car to turn the lights on at night (use a photocell) or when the wipers are activated, there are other situations where headlight use is a good idea that the car won't recognize - most notably when driving on a rural two lane road with passing zones.

Doesn't the car have DRLs?  As far as the wipers go, just turn them on manually, then when you get to your destination, then them back to auto mode. Just like one would do if they turned the lights on and off anyway.

DLRs are an option on some Foci, but are not standard equipment.  And, according to my owner's manual, when the headlight switch is in AUTO setting, the headlights are supposed to come on when you activate the wipers (4 second delay).

[roadman]

That is the problem auto makers are coming out with things they think we need.  Just yesterday I saw a blinker bulb on the rear of the car that did not flash red or yellow. It flashed blue instead! 

I will bet all the young people of today who just started driving will think that is cool and make that something they should have to be hip in front of the others just like some do with the 2 inch tires they previously came out with.  The ones like many drive from certain neighborhoods are a trend now used by youths, so this I imagine will be the next one.

That blue flasher was probably aftermarket already. I *think* flasher lights must be red or orange. A ticket or two, and some mumbling about how cops always pick on teens instead of going after real criminals, and these lights will go away.

Speaking of turn signals, does anyone else think that amber turn signals surrounded by red brake lights or taillights - which seems to be the latest design trend on many cars - are a bad idea?

[PHLBOS]

Speaking of turn signals, does anyone else think that amber turn signals surrounded by red bake lights or taillights - which seems to be the latest design trend on many cars - are a bad idea?

Can't be any worse that those surrounded by red broil lights  (sorry, your above-unintended typo was begging for some type of rebuttal).

To more directly answer you question; given that all cars from the 1986 model year onward have the higher-mounted (i.e. 3rd) brake light in addition to the taillights, such a design (the red usually-LED taillights wrapping-around amber turn signals) should not be an issue.  The 3rd/high-mount brake light is unhindered (or at least it's supposed to be) by turnsignals (be it red or amber) regardless of design or location of the latter.

If the wrap-around design was around prior to 1986; then, yes such would be a bad idea. 

Personal choice/opinion (and I realize such is way off the original thread topic): I prefer red lenses/lights for the turn-signals 

[jeffandnicole]

Speaking of turn signals, does anyone else think that amber turn signals surrounded by red bake lights or taillights - which seems to be the latest design trend on many cars - are a bad idea?

Can't be any worse that those surrounded by red broil lights  (sorry, your above-unintended typo was begging for some type of rebuttal).

To more directly answer you question; given that all cars from the 1986 model year onward have the higher-mounted (i.e. 3rd) brake light in addition to the taillights, such a design (the red usually-LED taillights wrapping-around amber turn signals) should not be an issue.  The 3rd/high-mount brake light is unhindered (or at least it's supposed to be) by turnsignals (be it red or amber) regardless of design or location of the latter.

If the wrap-around design was around prior to 1986; then, yes such would be a bad idea. 

Personal choice/opinion (and I realize such is way off the original thread topic): I prefer red lenses/lights for the turn-signals 

While I prefer orange, because red could blend in to a tap of a brake light, I don't care what color it is as long as it can be seen!  Too often, the area set aside for the flashing is so small that you really don't notice the flashing light.

[1995hoo]

The only cars that I know have Daytime Running Lights as standard equipment (in USA) are General Motors, Honda and Toyota. I don't understand why the other car manufacturers have not gotten on-board with this. I believe in Canada DRL's are standard or required on all cars, presumably due to them having less daylight than we do. USA should make them standard too. Being seen better can only benefit us.

....

I believe Volvos have them as well. At least they used to, anyway–my mom had a 1995 Volvo 850 and now has a 2010 S80 and both of those cars had/have DRLs.

I remember reading somewhere that one reason for Canada requiring them is the amount of travel on two-lane roads compared to in the USA. It's significantly easier to see an oncoming car with lights on when you're trying to decide whether it's safe to pull out and pass. Many US residents automatically think "Interstate" when they think of long-distance driving. DRLs are less beneficial on that sort of road because you don't normally encounter oncoming traffic on an Interstate or similar.

[SignBridge]

In addition to DRL's, I also prefer amber rear directionals. They contrast with the brake lights for better notice. Also when on the side of the road with hazard flashers on, the amber lights stand out better than red when viewed with all the red tailights on the road.

Re: youths and whoever else equipping their cars with non-compliant color lights, I agree with J&N that enforcement is the key. I bet you don't see that crap in California! 

[cl94]

The only cars that I know have Daytime Running Lights as standard equipment (in USA) are General Motors, Honda and Toyota. I don't understand why the other car manufacturers have not gotten on-board with this. I believe in Canada DRL's are standard or required on all cars, presumably due to them having less daylight than we do. USA should make them standard too. Being seen better can only benefit us.

....

I remember reading somewhere that one reason for Canada requiring them is the amount of travel on two-lane roads compared to in the USA. It's significantly easier to see an oncoming car with lights on when you're trying to decide whether it's safe to pull out and pass. Many US residents automatically think "Interstate" when they think of long-distance driving. DRLs are less beneficial on that sort of road because you don't normally encounter oncoming traffic on an Interstate or similar.

Likely. Most Canadians in southern Quebec and Ontario do a lot of long-distance driving on expressways, but not out west. There just isn't the traffic in most of the country to warrant more than 2 lanes.

[thenetwork]

There are some car-makers I have noticed in recent years that the rear-window brake light will flash red 3 or 4 times before going to solid red when the brake is engaged.

And speaking of flashing lights that really shouldn't:  The motorcycles that have the "pulsating" front headlights. I know they do it to make the motorcycle more visible to other drivers, but it also makes other drivers (like myself) think it's some sort of motorcycle cop with lights a flashing and there have been times I have slowed way down getting ready to pull to a stop in the shoulder only to see an ordinary motorcycle getting ready to pass me because I am now going real slow.

[SignBridge]

Hmmm.........haven't seen those. Are they original equipment or an aftermarket add-on? Can't believe they'd be legal. Wouldn't they be an illegal flashing white light?