Safety Engineer wrote:
A quick poser (or maybe not so quick)....
Anyone know the rules for lighting of vehicles (particularly the front) ?
I've had a bug bear about cars being driven with front fog lights on when it's crystal clear conditions, my other is these led and strip lights that are cropping up more and more on cars. Have seen them in a varietyy of colours but the most common I've seen is blue often behind the grill or on the washer jets, looking in the likes of Halfords, Motormania etc the packaging carries the warning - "Track Use / Off Road Use Only"
The latest I've seen is these bloody things atached to a strobe.
I was on the A12 a few nights back and saw blue lights, wasn't sure what they were so moved over into lane one. car behind me stayed in lane two, the car I'd originally seen came up at quite a pace (in lane two) with blue led's flashing and sat on the tail of the car that was behind me, this car promptly hauls over nearly into me.
I can only assume that they thought it was an unmarked car.
Unfortunately the number plate was non standard so not readable, Chelmsford Plod not at all helpfull.
Any Thoughts ???
1989 Uk Lighting regs define them as this:
"Front fog lamp" A lamp used to improve the illumination of the road in front of a motor vehicle in conditions of seriously reduced visibility.
"Front position lamp" A lamp used to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when viewed from the front.
As usual, the wording is complex, but it goes on to say this:
Quote:
Requirements about the use of headlamps and front fog lamps
25.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle which is fitted with obligatory dipped-beam headlamps unless every such lamp is kept lit-
(a) during the hours of darkness, except on a road which is a restricted road for the purposes of section 81 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 by virtue of a system of street lighting when it is lit; and
(b) in seriously reduced visibility.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply-
(a) in the case of a motor vehicle fitted with one obligatory dipped-beam headlamp or a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if a main-beam headlamp or a front fog lamp is kept lit;
(b) in the case of a motor vehicle, other than a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination, fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if-
(i) a pair of main-beam headlamps is kept lit; or
(ii) in seriously reduced visibility, a pair of front fog lamps which is so fitted that the outermost part of the illuminated area of each lamp in the pair is not more than 400 mm from the outer edge of the vehicle is kept lit;
(c) to a vehicle being drawn by another vehicle;
(d) to a vehicle while being used to propel a snow plough; or
(e) to a vehicle which is parked.
(3) For the purposes of this regulation a headlamp shall not be regarded as lit if its intensity is reduced by a dim-dip device.
I used front LED's, green in colour to aid convoying abroad at night. You can see the LED's in your mirror, and know that the vehicle behind is still keeping up with you.
However, the regulations permit this providing certain criteria are met regarding positioning. Green is not too intense. I would not countanence blue LED's as the light is rather piercing and distracting, but the regs. are not clear, even on this.
A BiB may well tell you different.
I was reliably informed that young ladies associate blue LED's with sexual prowess - but I doubt the accuracy of this information more than the informant!!
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