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Leave Headlights Always On?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Joseph Yun, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    I don't think it is as obvious as people seem to think, that DRLs or leaving on the headlights in the daytime is safer. The NHTSA certainly doesn't think so.
     
  2. Steve Gibson

    Steve Gibson Junior Member

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    If I'm correct, isn't there a position on the switch in between the headlights and DRLs that runs the taillights and parking lights along with the DRls at the same time..?
     
  3. Tim Bender

    Tim Bender Member

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    Many states recommend using high beams during daylight for motorcycle operators to increase visibility.

    An ancillary benefit to motorcyclists who often only have one headlight and a single hi/lo beam bulb: using the high-beam more frequently will cause the high-beam to burn out first. You can still ride at night safely with the low beam if you're in a bind.
     
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    ^I usually ride w/high beams during the day. I've thought of getting a headlamp modulator, but I always seem to find better things to do with the $100. You're never completely safe whether on a bike, in a small car, or in a HMMWV but if flicking a little switch can make you a little bit more visible? Why not?
    EDIT: I said 'ride' as in on a M/C. In a car? I only use high beams at night and when traffic and conditions permit.
    Every time I've come close to swapping paint with another driver lately has been because they've been distracted. Near where I work there are a lot of intersections with 2-way stop signs, and I can't count the number of times that I've almost been center punched by a person doing a 'slow and go' at their stop sign, thinking that it was a four-way stop.
    As I've stated before, for me, it just makes sense to drive my G3 with the lights on, but it may be my motorcycle roots asserting itself in my car driving habits. I'm mystified that states require M/Cs to operate with headlamps on during the day because it increases viability, and yet this notion doesn't seem to be applicable to small cars as well, but hey...life doesn't have to make sense, not does it?
    Besides....I often work after sundown. Always leaving the lights on relieves me of being one of the idiots that I see every day who drive their cars in the rain and after sundown without ights because their cars (like the Prius) lack automatic headlamps.
    Fortunately, although the Prius also lacks a proper aux voltage management system, you can leave the headlamps switched on at all times. If you lock your car? The lights will wink out.
    For me this is something of a PITA, since I often have to park the car at an unlit office late at night, Thus...the only times that I operate my light switch is to turn them off, Turn the car off, then turn them back on again so that they won't extinguish themselves.
    Hey....like Kermit always says.....it ain't easy being green. :rolleyes:
     
  5. Joshua

    Joshua Junior Member

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    I leave mine on all the time.

    But I was wondering if it was possibly (purely for aesthetics) to have the DTR lights stay on with the headlights?

    Because on my 2012 they would look just like fog lights, even if they dont really add that much light.
     
  6. jabecker

    jabecker driver of Prii since 2005

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    The guy I was talking about drove a car, not a motorcycle, and he left his high beams on day and night.
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    In my 2005 I drove with my headlights on quite a bit for increased visibility to other drivers. In my 2012 I just use the DRLs because they draw less power and look cool. :)