Headlights in daylight?

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Having had suicidal pedestrians wander out into the road from central verges of dual carriageways a couple of times recently, I have taken to using dipped headlights on my Westfield all the time. A chap stepped off the centre of the A40 at Denham a little while ago and there was a veritable dance of impending death before he legged it back. It seems that a BRG seven-style car is less visible to the casual glance than a standard size of car. Bikers among you will already be well aware of this phenomenon, I'm sure. Maybe it's that the speed of approach (always legal, officer)   that's misleading - I dont know.

Do any of you disparate (and desparate, on occasions) lot do this? It might look a bit Volvo-y but it seems to make 'em spot you!  

[moomin]

Yep always run with lights on on the Westie - it's all black from the front, and sometimes you see people just look right over the top of you.

moomin

[Blatman]

I don't use my headlights on my car during the day, but then, it's not exactly an inconspicuous colour......

I use the headlights on my (dull coloured) bike during the day though, but that's because I tend to filter between lines of traffic, and not because of "open road" foolery by moronic pedestrians.........

[adhawkins]

I take all actions possible to make myself more visible in the Westfield. I mean, it's bright yellow to start with, but some people still seem to miss it. This includes driving with headlights even on the brightest of days.

I even go so far as making sure I position myself in the road such that the car I'm following will be able to see me in both rear view and driver's side door mirrors before an overtake, to give them plenty of chance to see I'm there. Also, when overtaking or pulling alongside people on roundabouts and the like I tend to have one hand ready on the horn just in case they do something stupid!

I think the basic philosophy is to assume everyone else around is an idiot, and expect them to do the stupidest thing possible. If you're ready for it you can hopefully avoid it should it happen.

Cue Si to tell us all how wonderful the IAM and ROSPA courses are

Andy

[oioi]

i do, but it still didnt stop the stoopid bl**** (literally) pheasant walking out into my path on saturday.  must of hit it with the headlight as when i stopped i noticed headlight pointing skywards (otherwise undamaged).  fortunately no damage done (except to the pheasant) apart from a blood stain on the nose cone.  bit weird driving along sorrunded by feathers

[adhawkins]

Wouldn't like to hit a pheasant in the Westfield, hit one in the tintop once and it all but destroyed the front number plate...god knows what one would do to the front of the Westfield (or worse still, my head if the bird bounced in the right direction)

Andy

[studbuckle]

Cue Si to tell us all how wonderful the IAM and ROSPA courses are

There's not a lot in either that will help with this. Other than common sense. The one thing I have found since taking advanced driving courses is that I can spot the idiots easier. Observing car movements within a lane and head movements of pedestrians and drivers alike help to predict things but still using the 'assuming everyone is an idiot' is the best plan.

Back on topic. I use headlights quite often on the Westfield but it's a judgement not a rule. I also tend to find that the bounce of the sports car make the headlights more prone to being annoying when following someone and therefore try not to have dipped beam on when following another car

[Mark Purves]

My problem being that with the FY04 colour scheme people seems to stand and stare even if they are in the middle of the road. One friend has asked for a goverment health warning to be place on the vehicle.

And then if I don't get them Neckie does in his Fluro Yellow Caterham.

   

[Blatman]

Wouldn't like to hit a pheasant in the Westfield, hit one in the tintop once and it all but destroyed the front number plate

Pheasants.... pah....

Sheep and ponies on Dartmoor would make a mess, as would a deer anywhere in Surrey.........

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

That makes me feel less Volvo-y! I have had cars with dim-dip since the mid eighties and have made a practice of using them (almost) universally. But the Westfield has full power dip beam or nothing, of course, and there is an element of aggression, it always appears, with full power even if it is dipped. As far as conspicuous colours are concerned, it is possible that the small frontal area of the seven style cars negates the impact of the colours to an extent.

I agree with Studs to the extent that it has to be a matter of judgement. I will often switch them off if, for example, I'm in a stream of traffic and am, therefore, part of a moving traffic jam. Assuming all other drivers are idiots is prudent - many of them are!

It seemed to me that Australia would be a fabulous place to own a Westfield 'cos the weather is better more often and there's b*gger all traffic. But the number of cars with 'roo bars is a bit worrying! They don't put them on for style! Imagine hitting a grey 'roo at 90 (kilometres, of course). Even headlights don't deter them.

[Mark Purves]

So are you saying your headlights do not have the legally required side light in them.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

If you call a paralysed glow-worm a light, yes they do have them. B*gger all good in daylight.

[Mark Stanton]

It seemed to me that Australia would be a fabulous place to own a Westfield 'cos the weather is better more often and there's b*gger all traffic.

Not likely - you'd be frazzled within 15 mins of drivin one       unless you had shares in Zinc cream and big daft hats        

Best out there is a huge big V8 Commodore with air-con and cruise control          

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

I have an old g/f who lives in Tassie - the weather there is far more Westfield friendly. It even snows sometimes! But the sun's power is much lower. It's SO tempting, especially remembering her when she was 14 and I was 17.

edited to apologise for digressing!

[oioi]

I knew a girl from tassie too

memories of mamaries