ADUK Archive

More than 100 vehicles crash on A249 Sheppey crossing

just reading this and I wonder how many of the drivers assumed their lights would've worked because they have an automatic function and didn't check

Hopefully no-one was seriously hurt...

More likely there was no assuming (or anything else) going on in the minds of the drivers.

If there was anything relevant about lights, it's probably that they know they have always-on DRLs at the front, and/or know that the gauges are lit, but have no idea that the rear of the car is unlit.

It's fog. People turn their fog lights off in fog.

Or the obvious case of people following too closely.

Use the bloody fog lights, it's what they're there for!!!

Dom

I'm not sure if cars showing no lights (as commented on in the srticle) contributed much to the outcome. IMO, most drivers' fates were sealed long before they decided whether or not to put their lights on... or if they checked...

Auto lights can also come on when you don't want them... My Nissan has an Auto function but I invariably have them switched to off until I decide I need them.

DanFraser wrote:It's fog. People turn their fog lights off in fog.

dombooth wrote:Use the bloody fog lights, it's what they're there for!!!

<OT> Is this the first time in the history of motoring forums that people are bemoaning the under-use of fog lights? </OT>

GJD wrote:

DanFraser wrote:It's fog. People turn their fog lights off in fog.

dombooth wrote:Use the bloody fog lights, it's what they're there for!!!

<OT> Is this the first time in the history of motoring forums that people are bemoaning the under-use of fog lights? </OT>

...or in any forum under the sun....

Probably too close... Some, at least, will have been.

I have known fog banks (mostly coastal?) move I very suddenly and it might be hard to anticipate... But I still think separation distances will probably have been of the usual morning traffic variety...

But most people of course think they are invincible in their Euro Boxes. I mean, they have DRL's, auto light functionality, ABS, ESP, SRS and ENCAP5 to keep them safe. The technology is taking away the requirement for people to think and take responsibility for themselves.

As JC would have it; replace steering wheel air-bag with a spike.

Pile ups like this were common in the 70s - the cause being driving too fast too close.

I'll wager nothing has changed....

Also it's quite possible that, in terms of lighting, you can increase your chances of an accident in fog by having your foglights on.

When there's noone visible behind you, fine, but as soon as there is someone able to consistently see you, of course they make it much more difficult to perceive the information supplied when your brake lights come on.

trashbat wrote:Also it's quite possible that, in terms of lighting, you can increase your chances of an accident in fog by having your foglights on.

When there's noone visible behind you, fine, but as soon as there is someone able to consistently see you, of course they make it much more difficult to perceive the information supplied when your brake lights come on.

That would of course depend on where your rear fog light is on the vehicle.

Dom

dombooth wrote:

trashbat wrote:Also it's quite possible that, in terms of lighting, you can increase your chances of an accident in fog by having your foglights on.

When there's noone visible behind you, fine, but as soon as there is someone able to consistently see you, of course they make it much more difficult to perceive the information supplied when your brake lights come on.

That would of course depend on where your rear fog light is on the vehicle.

Dom

And whether you have a single fog light, or two fog lights.

Duncan

dombooth wrote:

trashbat wrote:Also it's quite possible that, in terms of lighting, you can increase your chances of an accident in fog by having your foglights on.

When there's noone visible behind you, fine, but as soon as there is someone able to consistently see you, of course they make it much more difficult to perceive the information supplied when your brake lights come on.

That would of course depend on where your rear fog light is on the vehicle.

Dom

To an extent - the Punto's are placed well for this, whereas something like this is bad:



In either case it's still a bright light that unnecessarily distracts from one of the most important signals, and whatever else is going on.