"Dashe" wrote in message
...

"Neil Williams" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:06:12 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:

I understand that permanently illuminated headlights are a feature on
the vehicles of certain operators like Arriva. They found that keeping
the headlights switched on all the time reduced accidents so it is being
done for health and safety reasons.

However, it is actually dangerous for other vehicles because it
artificially (subconsciously) distracts attention towards that vehicle
only, and away from others.

Daytime headlights should either be a legal requirement or switched
off.

Neil

We have had a ruling in Blackpool for about 18 months now, saying that all
buses must use dipped headlights during daytime. Personally, I *never*
drive with dipped headlights in daylight, except :- Spray conditions
(legal
requirement), pedestrianised areas, and bus/taxi only areas.

I also use dipped headlights in tunnels and multi-storey car parks. I've
never driven in a pedestrianised area or a bus/taxi lane (it would be
illegal for me) but I can see the sense in authorised vehicles doing this -
at least for the pedestrianised area.

For some reason, the instructions in the Mersey tunnel specifically say
"don't turn on your headlights" which seems strange to me - if you're
driving at night, are you actually expected to turn them off as you enter
the tunnel and remember to turn them back on when you leave? If the exit is
well-illuminated by street lights, it will be very easy to forget to turn
them back on...


I didn't realise that some countries mandated dipped headlights at all
times. I know that some Scandinavian countries mandate side/tail lights.