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It's time to mandate automatic headlights, imo (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by spicytuna62@lemmy.world to c/cars@lemmy.world
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Sometimes I have to drive after dark in my city, and it never fails that if I drive any appreciable distance that I always see at least one person (often more) driving with their lights off. I do not need to tell y'all why this is dangerous. We're a community of enthusiasts. We know. Plenty of us are driving older cars that predate the tech.

It's not like they don't mandate lots of shit already. Seatbelts, head restraints, airbags, and backup cameras are some of the most sensible things ever required for cars to have. Why are automatic headlights not on this list? There also needs to exist a mandate whereby the lights turn on if the driver turns on the wipers. Because if you need your wipers, you need your lights too. It's common freaking sense.

Your headlights aren't just for seeing, but for being seen. Ambient light sensors are so cheap that they end up in midrange TVs all the time. I blame the backlit gauges and myriad other interior lights. Ergo, it's time to mandate automatic headlights. There's no reason not to.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

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[-] mean_bean279@lemmy.world 22 points 1 year ago

I want a super version of this. I want headlights that dim several lumens when I slow down and when I stop. I drive a massive truck with headlights that blind the shit out of people. I wish it would slowly dim them as I slowed and would basically turn them off or point them down when I’m stopped. I don’t need to see 500ft ahead at that point. We have the tech, and LEDs are perfect for that.

[-] Neato@kbin.social 18 points 1 year ago

Perhaps you don't need to drive a massive truck? Or you can change your headlights? Semis don't blind me like modern trucks do.

I get blinded in the highway as much as in the neighborhood.

[-] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

We don't know what they use the truck for. What we do know is that semi trucks have fairly low-mounted headlights whereas pickups and SUVs are in a race to see who can mount their lights the highest for that road presence and offroad clearance (as long as you ignore how low the air dams are on recent trucks). Part of the issue is that the US code FMVSS 108 requires low beams must be mounted higher and/or outboard of the high beams. This increases the height of the low beam of any dual-unit headlight. Aside from that, just about every nifty trick to hide lower headlights gets hit with criticism. The first gen Jeep Cherokee (2015, not the Grand) had slim faux-headlight DRLs in the hood line and snuck the real headlights in the middle of the bumper. The Chevy Bolt did the same. The Nissan Juke is even more notorious for that. Even the 2008-2016 Ford F-250/350 (especially 08-10) gets flak for its huge upper parking light feigning a headlight bucket. Unfortunately, consumers are emotional

[-] OhmsLawn@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

One thing that has contributed to this problem is daytime running lights. I haven't owned a car with them yet, but I routinely see people driving at night with only the DRL's and no tail lights.

I'm not sure if the dash is illuminated in that situation, but it shouldn't be. There probably needs to be an obnoxious warning chime at the very least.

[-] HeartyBeast@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

Spot on. In the Good Old Days (tm) the dashboard was only lit when headlights were on. You got instant feedback if your light weren’t on - you couldn’t see how fast you were driving etc.

[-] vfrmedia@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 11 months ago

I don't know if there is already some light sensor in the car but on my 2015 VW Polo (which doesn't have automatic headlights) if its too dark outside (even in daytime, due to bad weather or early nights) the lights of the dash are dim (you only see the needle of the speedometer and tacho). So there is still the obvious cue to turn them on. Perhaps its more common in European cars?

[-] mean_bean279@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

The dash is often much more dim in these situations, or at full brightness. Either way drivers should be looking for a green light indicating their headlights and taillights are properly illuminated. I don’t need cars overcoming this, I need police to do their job and ticket those people and force them back to driving school or to takeaway licenses here in the states.

[-] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The problem is we’ve removed the cues to turn the lights on.

Normally it gets dark and you know it’s time to turn the headlights on because none of the dash lights are illuminated. You can’t see the speedometer. Unfortunately with the advent of LCD dashes and touchscreens the default has become leaving everything in front of the driver lit, and that includes analog instruments. Add fairly bright DRLs people have lost the visual prompt to flip the switch on.

Backlights, where not necessary for operation, should remain off until lights are turned on. Getting rid of touchscreens for everything and going back to push buttons. That would help a lot with headlights as well as being distracted flipping thru menus to turn the AC on or something.

[-] stoy@lemmy.zip 17 points 1 year ago

Here in Sweden we have laws requiering headlight to be on when the car is moving, regardless of the time of day or year.

All cars for the last several decades have automatic headlights that turn on when the ignition turns on.

It is brilliant, it makes it so easy to dstinguish between parked cars abd cars that are moving, both as a driver and as a pedestrian.

Automatic full beams are also standard these days.

[-] spicytuna62@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It is brilliant

I agree! But hey, this is America. Did you know some cars are still being made with brake lights that function as turn signals instead of making turn signals a separate amber lamp on the rear of the vehicle like the rest of the world has been doing for decades? Cars and trucks like this are still everywhere here. It's not required. It's baffling!

[-] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

There's a couple dick moves like with the upper trim Jeep Cherokees and their super cool "switchback" LED tail lights. Red for brake, yellow for signal, BUT WHY DID YOU MAKE IT SO THE SIGNAL STILL OVERRIDES THE ENTIRE BRAKE LIGHT?

[-] BruceTwarzen@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I hate it when people import these shitty cars and jump through some loopholes to keep their stupid ass red blibkers. Go move there please.

[-] HeartyBeast@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

Automatic full beams are the work of the devil. I tried them and the number of times I blinded some poor driver, cyclist or pedestrian because they were too slow to react were numerous. Now have them on manual

[-] mean_bean279@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Auto highbeams can be amazing, or absolute ass. In my RAM 2500 they’re awful. They often blind people (which is already bad enough for a RAM 2500, I don’t need to make it worse). However in my AMG they’re amazing. They turn on in a Hollywood light pattern and sweep across the road as I’m driving and they’re super quick and sensitive to react. The same headlights in Europe can even be configured to leave highbeams on and black out areas where it detects people and cars.

[-] stoy@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 year ago

I have a 2021 Seat Leon Hatchback, unfortunately I don't have those LED matrix headlights, I would love to try them, but the automatic headlight feature is awesome.

[-] Alexc 4 points 1 year ago

Except for all the twats in my neighborhood that drive around town with full beams on permanently.

Occasionally they turn then off when you flash them, but most are just oblivious. Automatics would at least solve that…

[-] spicytuna62@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The stock needs a small solenoid that can kick the high beams off when the system sees another car, but cannot turn the manual override back on. You'd have to push the stock back again yourself. I love it. I don't even think the people who drive with their high beams on all the time would know. If they can't notice you flashing them, they sure as shit ain't noticing their lights suddenly dimming

[-] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Stalk*

[-] spicytuna62@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I thought you were messing with me at first but TIL.

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[-] EvacuateSoul@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I hate daytime running lights, because people will think their lights are on, but it's only the headlights. It isn't uncommon to see people driving around in total darkness with only headlights on.

I disable DRL and only use manual lights, turning on for weather or dark. It's not possible to think you have them on this way.

[-] stoy@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 year ago

I have no idea of what you mean, what more lights are you refering to that should be on other than the headlights?

The only thing I can see that would cause this annoyance could be is the tail lights are off when it is dark...

[-] FlightyPenguin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Taillights are only illuminated when headlights are turned on. Daytime running lights only illuminated the front, so it appears that headlights are on, but taillights remain off.

[-] stoy@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 year ago

I have never hd that issue, possibly since headlights are automaticly turned on when you start the car, but most tail lights these days will be turned off when it is bright outside.

[-] GroteStreet@aussie.zone 7 points 1 year ago

Because if you need your wipers, you need your lights too.

If you have trouble seeing the road, people will have trouble seeing you. Do they not teach that in drivers ed these days?

And somehow it's always the grey cars...

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[-] XeroxCool@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I do not like having headlights being forced on. There are situations often enough where either I don't want to unnecessarily light up someone's place or I simply want to be inconspicuous. But I absolutely support the option to use an ambient light sensor to darken the dash in that situation. Pretty sure that was one of the options in new legislation a few years ago. It was either force lights on with the uv sensor (Toyota?), add tail lights to the drl function (Mazda?), or turn off the dash lights if headlights are off and it's dark out (haven't seen this one). There are many streetlights in my area so missing headlights aren't obvious for miles at a time to a less-knowledgeable driver

[-] Seventhlevin@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

My car from 2006 has daytime runners and headlights that turn on automatically. Either can be turned off at any time with the press of a button.

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[-] KpntAutismus@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

i think they should have the default be "on" when the car is started. then the driver can actively turn them off if they choose to do so. most people just throw it into "automatic" mode and assume it's the correct thing to do. we even get taught to do it that way.

[-] Rocketpoweredgorilla@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

Canada has had it mandatory since 1989, It is a good thing to have multi-ton objects whizzing around you clearly marked.

It's like the third last thing you'd ever want to sneak up and catch you off guard.

[-] WashedOver@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

I love that we have this but they are not at full brightness and I still see people driving with only these daytime headlights at night with no parking or rear lights.

I'm assuming they have digital cluster on these newer cars which are on all the time, unlike older cars where the instrument cluster is dark when only the daytimes are on and it kind of says hey dummy your lights are off, let's turn them all on and at full brightness too!

[-] Rocketpoweredgorilla@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

I still see people driving with only these daytime headlights at night with no parking or rear lights.

One of them was probably my ex.

[-] spicytuna62@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I daily a '97 Prelude. If I can't see my gauges, it's a pretty good indicator that my lights should be on. Like I said in the post, it's the backlit gauges and other interior lights. I don't blame the drivers. I blame the half dozen screens the manufacturers seem to think we just cannot live without these days. And that's one reason why I daily a 90s car.

[-] WashedOver@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Love the vintage. I drive a 97 Volvo 850 and 2000 F150. They have nice analog turn controls and guages.

I agree with you. I love most tech but I do not think screens are the way to go in a vehicle. They look nice on Star Trek NG or in a video game but they aren't safe in a car especially as we expect older generations that aren't use to the tech to scroll and punch through menus while driving to turn off their heated seats or adjust the temperature.

I don't know for how long I can buy older cars without screen or too many push buttons. Even after 12 years I still need to look down at the buttons on my 11 Ford Fusion to figure out which is the defrost or the heater selection controls.

I'm thankful to read the manufacturers are starting to realize they have gone too far with some of these things and are planning to dial it back some in the future. I suspect they still see it as another change they can sell

[-] spicytuna62@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

For some reason, I love the irregular ti-tick, ti-tick, ti-tick of analog turn signals.

[-] WashedOver@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Same here. I still recall falling half asleep as a child in the back seat of older cars and that sound being apart of it as your parents drove home in silence.

[-] vithigar@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

I have a 2023 Outlander and am incredibly glad that Mitsubishi used real physical buttons and knobs for all driving, safety, and comfort controls.

[-] WashedOver@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

That reminds me of a nice blend of knobs and tech that Dodge and Jeep were using just a few years ago. I really liked the blend they had in a couple of the rental cars I used.

What type of guages do you have?

[-] vithigar@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

Gauges are a fully digital 12" display, plus a heads up display for speedometer and navigation.

[-] KpntAutismus@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

once square, simple, and most importantly, small cars come back, i will think about "upgrading". but until then my 02 Yaris will wait for its "historical" registration (in germany we get a "H" behind the text on our number plate when the car is 30(?) years old and is in a certain condition. this means i pay less taxes and get to go in "environmental zones" where older cars typically aren't allowed)

[-] Thrawne@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

There is precedent for this feature. Motorcycles have head/tail lights at startup.

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this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2023
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