The fog closed in on us during our sojourn to the west country,

we had to shop so ventured out.

Driving toward the Tesco near Ilfracombe we nearly ran up the tail

feathers of an Audi, we could see nothing until  we saw a pair of

dull red loops in the whiteness and realised it was the rear of a car.

This sort of encounter occurred several times, and I can only suppose

that the various skeletal rear displays were an energy saving running

light. Whatever the reason some rearlights are not up to being used

in fog.

I was going to start a similar thread to this due to being nearly ran over by a Honda Civic reversing out of a parking space on at least two separate occasions. Due to their design you cannot see the reversing lights until you are almost right behind it.

If doesn't help matters when there is not a designated walkway, so you have to walk on the road.

This sort of encounter occurred several times.

 

Once or twice fair enough, several times might suggest an issue outside of the tail lights.

 

The trend right now is a move from incandescent bulbs to LED's which in my experience are generally better in terms of brightness. Some might argue they are now too bright.

 

Sounds like the fog was thick enough to warrant the use of rear fog lights so this is likely another example of drivers with poor driving skills rather than a bad design of tail light?

the only thing I notice with LED rear lights is they don't tend to have a wide viewing angle, so if you are 45 deg or more from the rear of the car there is little or no light visible

 

they are great if you are directly behind, but if you are to the side then you see little if any stop lamps or indicators

 

as to the use of rear fog lights don't even go there, people either turn them on when they don't need them, meaning you have trouble telling when they are braking, or they don't use then and like the op you nearly run in the back of them

Edited 11 September, 20169 yr by bluecar1

Once or twice fair enough, several times might suggest an issue outside of the tail lights.

 

The trend right now is a move from incandescent bulbs to LED's which in my experience are generally better in terms of brightness. Some might argue they are now too bright.

 

Sounds like the fog was thick enough to warrant the use of rear fog lights so this is likely another example of drivers with poor driving skills rather than a bad design of tail light?

This might seem remarkable to some people, but I agree totally!

I am truly surprised that in this modern age of autonomous cars, auto wipers, lights, radar guided braking systems and all manner of other technology that none of the car makers have managed to think about automatic fog lights (front and rear). Surely if a car is capable of detecting rain on the windscreen, and darkness to turn the lights on, then they can detect foggy conditions?

Are you sure he even had lights on? If he was driving with DRLs only then there would be no rear lights illuminated - another stupid modern design feature failure.

The rear of the car may also have been very dirty. That has a big effect on brightness. Audi drivers often prefer to leave their rear ends mucky to make life harder for speed cameras.

I am truly surprised that in this modern age of autonomous cars, auto wipers, lights, radar guided braking systems and all manner of other technology that none of the car makers have managed to think about automatic fog lights (front and rear). Surely if a car is capable of detecting rain on the windscreen, and darkness to turn the lights on, then they can detect foggy conditions?

Just goes to show the only thing that let's cars down are the drivers. Common sense Ai r very common anymore, I see more people with fog lights on in rain and daylight than I ever see in actual fog.

Not this month but soon, and there will be top of the range Range Rovers driving in snow with no rear lights on. 

The problem is really when the are white Range Rovers.

 

Really odd seeing how DRL's to the front is to let road users know a car is moving but they are still on when they are stationary.

 

Maybe BREXIT UK can have Dipped Headlights & Rear Tail Lights on as a minimum lighting requirement of any vehicle moving in the UK at any time.

No expense to manufacturers, drivers will just need to switch on what the car already has fitted.

Problem with cars now is all the new technology is taking thinking away from the drivers. 

Problem with cars now is all the new technology is taking thinking away from the drivers.

Totally. Only driver 'aid' I'm thankful for is the you've left your lights on buzzer, much appreciated that one. The others can go whistle, and as for cars that park themselves...

Not this month but soon, and there will be top of the range Range Rovers driving in snow with no rear lights on. 

The problem is really when the are white Range Rovers.

 

Really odd seeing how DRL's to the front is to let road users know a car is moving but they are still on when they are stationary.

 

Maybe BREXIT UK can have Dipped Headlights & Rear Tail Lights on as a minimum lighting requirement of any vehicle moving in the UK at any time.

No expense to manufacturers, drivers will just need to switch on what the car already has fitted.

Relying on drivers to turn lights on is the problem there.

The UK Government could make it the law.  Dipped beam and sidelights need to be on.   (Dim dip was a great system IMO.)

Then obviously those breaking the law could even be seen by the laziest of law officers, and by everyone else.

 

Currently it seems that anything goes and many drivers seem totally unaware or do not care that DRL's mean no lighting to the rear, 

or that Daytime does not mean  the Daylight & Visibilty is good enough to just rely on the car or what the manufacturers provided.

spotted something rare..... An AUDI using indicators..... yeah i know i had to be treated at the roadside for shock......

spotted something rare..... An AUDI using indicators..... yeah i know i had to be treated at the roadside for shock......

Pics or it didn't happen

Just goes to show the only thing that let's cars down are the drivers. Common sense Ai r very common anymore, I see more people with fog lights on in rain and daylight than I ever see in actual fog.

Absolutely!

The priority is to design a vehicle that is 100% idiot proof.........the darker the vehicle the less likely to be seen and usually the last to THINK of being seen.

The colour code could be programmed into the auto lights system perhaps, modifying light sensitivity.

Too many people stick it on Auto and think that will take care of everything.

As such they don't put dipped beam on in light fog in the daylight and don't put fogs on.

Pretty poor to be honest and while mostly a drive issue, probably more common now the auto is there as some people think auto means fully auto.

Deskilling is rampant and the mere act of steering has limited time left.

For the young ones it'll mean more time to spend on social media which, for the majority, is a plus.

Absolutely!

The priority is to design a vehicle that is 100% idiot proof.........the darker the vehicle the less likely to be seen and usually the last to THINK of being seen.

The colour code could be programmed into the auto lights system perhaps, modifying light sensitivity.

What this actually tells me is just how much you underestimate the ingenuity of idiots!

What this actually tells me is just how much you underestimate the ingenuity of idiots!

I have the impression some think headlights are for spotting line markings and potholes..........being noticed escapes them.....or the headlights will wear out......beats me.

What this actually tells me is just how much you underestimate the ingenuity of idiots!

I believe the official engineering line is no matter how idiot proof you make a system, they will come along and invent a better idiot.

It is as you say however, spot on.

I believe the official engineering line is no matter how idiot proof you make a system, they will come along and invent a better idiot.

It is as you say however, spot on.

I'd never heard it put like that before, but will try to remember it!

I'd never heard it put like that before, but will try to remember it!

Maybe that's just for IT systems, but the principle applies across the world.

Maybe that's just for IT systems, but the principle applies across the world.

Er, I work in IT.