Saw a strange one today. Following a red 11 plate Polo driving away from the bright sun (it was shining very brightly on the Polo's tailgate). Line of traffic in front started to brake, so I did the same. It looked for all the world that the Polo's brake lights were not working, so I watched it carefully as the line moved between traffic lights. It turned out they were working, but were so indistinct against the red paint with the sun shining on them that they were pretty much invisible - the brake lights were a narrow line at the top of the light cluster on each side and a single line of not-very-bright light in the centre, recessed into the red paintwork. Car looked to be in pretty good order - clean and looked well cared-for. I wonder if the owner realised how little visibility their brakes gave to following motorists. Any other types we should watch out for? 

Lots out there, and rubbish indicators as well.

Spot them by driving around looking at the rear of cars / lights.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/444573-form-over-function-why 

2 hours ago, AwaoffSki said:

Lots out there, and rubbish indicators as well.

Spot them by driving around looking at the rear of cars / lights.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/444573-form-over-function-why 

Agree 

Indicators are now a fashion statement more than a basic safety feature.     Indicating ones intentions rather than confirming what’s being done is a bit yesterday too.

I think the polo is one of the worst and have wondered for a long time if there’s evidence of them being involved in a higher percentage of rear end shunts.

On at least two occasions I've nearly been hit by Honda Civics reversing out of spaces due to the poor design of the reversing lamp(s). You cannot see the white light until you are almost directly behind them as the bulb is recessed and the clear plastic lens stands proud of the rear. 

13 hours ago, Fin69 said:

On at least two occasions I've nearly been hit by Honda Civics reversing out of spaces due to the poor design of the reversing lamp(s). You cannot see the white light until you are almost directly behind them as the bulb is recessed and the clear plastic lens stands proud of the rear. 

Er, the "function" of reversing lights is to light the area behind the car for a driver who is reversing in the dark, not as a warning for everyone else. Also it does not remove the obligation on the driver who is reversing to make sure the area they are reversing into is clear.

Fin69 said they nearly hit them,

sounds like he nearly hit them, when they started reversing surely there was a clear way to do so.

 

 

As to Reversing lights to light the way for someone reversing, 

 I do not think that a single or even double reversing light is to light the way for a vehicle reversing.

 

Nice big Spot Lights on the rear used to be. & 'Work Lights'.

 

New cars get 'Cornering Fog Lights' and Fo lights on automatically at the front to help them reverse these days  WTF,  some how the EU top trumps the UK Highway Code. ?????

Front Fogs on as you select reverse, Regardless of who might be coming towards them as they reverse. 

Edited 26 February, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

4 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Er, the "function" of reversing lights is to light the area behind the car for a driver who is reversing in the dark, not as a warning for everyone else. Also it does not remove the obligation on the driver who is reversing to make sure the area they are reversing into is clear.

You may wish to reread your Highway Code:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/signals-to-other-road-users

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Fin69 said:

You may wish to reread your Highway Code:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/signals-to-other-road-users

 

Now explain why you apparently only need one reversing light although other traffic can approach from either side, and why you believe that selecting reverse gear gives you priority over traffic already on the carriageway.

57 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Now explain why you apparently only need one reversing light although other traffic can approach from either side, and why you believe that selecting reverse gear gives you priority over traffic already on the carriageway.

1. Your first question would be better directed at the Department of Transport who publish the Highway Code. 

2. I don't. 

Careful with those handbags lads - you'll have someone's eye out!

One thing this got me to thinking about. Does anyone know how clear our cars' rear lights are? I've got a SIII Superb and the light cluster goes all the way into the boot lid, so I assume because they are big they are ok for visibility. But I don't think I've ever driven behind one.

You have to start a reverse sometime, and if the road is clear when you do say come out a parking place that requires you to go onto a carriageway at a easy / slow speed a vehicle might then get there at 10,20, 30 mph and have to wait.

Not rocket science really.

 

Lots of Chavved up & also Prestige or just  any motors about now with so stupid white , blue / white rear registration plate lighting that is backward facing and as bright or not more so than Reversing Lights fitted as standard.

 

Handy for spotting them after an undertake or 3 up dual carriageways / motorways as they are so distinctive with 2 white lights facing following traffic.

The guy on the M8 regularly undertaking and never getting far ahead is in a Red Honda Civic Type R with 2 very bright white number plate bulbs (LED's)

Edited 26 February, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

Superbs lights are alright for visibilty.

 

However, i was behind a 2017 passat this morning, travelling west at 830, so same low sun behind the OP. 

Similar brake lights on the passat to polo, single strip of skinny leds at the bottom of the cluster. Not brilliantly visible tbh.

At present, requirement for rear reverse and fog is for a minimum of one unit. That is, one reverse and one fog. The minimum is met by money saving manufacturers as they are not required to fit more. Better brands or higher specs add two, mostly for aesthetics but also safety. 

 

With regards to vision, both rear fog AND rear reverse are intended to allow an oncoming road user to realise the other vehicle is there (As are ALL rear lights). The reverse light function is not really intended to offer better vision fro the actual driver performing this function although some do indeed help. Others are completely useless for this!

 

As for the ACT of reversing, it is actually an OFFENCE to reverse towards oncoming traffic. Therefor, anyone performing a revers MUST stop and wait for moving traffic anyway! It is also illegal to reverse from a side road into a road that has priority. Notice I said road that has priority and not a main road?  This is due to many unwitting drivers assuming a small back street is not a main road. The term main road simply states the road as being the one that has priority so a small back street with a junction to say, the left or right, will still be classed as the main road when compared to the road with give way lines etc. (Exceptions do occur, where a smaller tributary road may have the actual priority).

 

This priority and illegal reverse rule even applies to ones own driveway. Reverse out and you break the law- reverse in and drive out, you don't! So, reverse lights let an oncoming road user realise that a vehicle is TRYING to reverse. This allows them to make a safe decision as to whether to sound their horn, to warn of their presence, slow down and drive safely around the obstruction or to stop safely if need be. Do Not assume you are signalling, therefor you are free to conduct ANY manoeuvre!

A bit off topic now, but on the dual rear foglight and visibility theme: Who here actually thinks that two identically bright lights about a metre or a little further apart will penetrate any further through fog than one?

 

@mrgf - And yet my Mum and sis have been told to reverse out of their drive way by the local police!

 

@Wino - I don't think that 2 rear lights will have better penetration than one, but they will make it easier to range the vehicle carrying them.

On 26/02/2018 at 11:24, KenONeill said:

Er, the "function" of reversing lights is to light the area behind the car for a driver who is reversing in the dark, not as a warning for everyone else. Also it does not remove the obligation on the driver who is reversing to make sure the area they are reversing into is clear.

 

 

Surely its to do both. 

 

Otherwise reversing lights would only work when the headlights are on..

On 02/03/2018 at 20:36, Wino said:

A bit off topic now, but on the dual rear foglight and visibility theme: Who here actually thinks that two identically bright lights about a metre or a little further apart will penetrate any further through fog than one?

 

 

I think 2 stops people following a foot from my bumper at night.. better than 1 does   

 

no doubt a few wont agree there mind. 

On 3/6/2018 at 10:52, KenONeill said:

@mrgf - And yet my Mum and sis have been told to reverse out of their drive way by the local police!

 

 

Then they have clearly been advised to perform an illegal manoeuvre! Just because a policeman says something, it doesn't make it so!

 

All over the UK there are parking places on public highways at an angle that you drive into nose on and then have to reverse out and vehicles would be coming towards you. 

eg George Street Edinburgh, middle of the road, if you drive through and out the parking space you go along a one way street, if you are wanting to go along the direction you were going as you parked you reverse back out.

 

The UK Highway code or UK Traffic Laws / Legislation is all good and well, but that does not cover every situation or location or circumstance.

Thats because the law is an ass!

Can you please advise which piece / pieces of legislation you are referring to that make this /these manoeuvres illegal.

 

For example, afaik there is no requirement under the Construction and Use Regs for any reversing lights to be fitted, and they are not required to be fitted and tested as part of the MOT.

 

Thank you.

Edited 10 March, 20188 yr by BJM

& the UK Highway Code and the Law / Traffic Law are not the same thing.   Driving safe is though.

 

Many drivers in the UK never had to sit a UK Driving Test, and those that should have had to never did either.

Drivers from other countries are not required to know the UK Highway Code or regional practices.

As many UK drivers abroad have no idea either.

http://highwaycodeuk.co.uk/using-the-road-reversing.html 

 

Edited 10 March, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

6 minutes ago, AwaoffSki said:

& the UK Highway Code and the Law / Traffic Law are not the same thing.  

 

 

My point precisely.

 

Rabbiting on about the law and Police advice being incorrect, and the “requirements “ for reversing lights is simply rubbish and merely serves to spread more urban mythery.

 

If posters are going to make such statements as “fact”’ let them give the source of the “facts”

If it is just opinion, who cares. The internet, including this forum, is awash with opinion.

Including yours.