Community Chat

[patbz]

 I agree about the lack of headlights when logic tells you they are appropriate but what really bugs me the most is the countless drivers who habitually drive with one hand while they concentrate on their cell phones.  Really? On the way out of Wal-Mart it is really necessary to share your latest bargain with your nearest and dearest? At least California had large fines for doing same (at least on freeways).  Now that I'm in Arizona I guess I'll put cell phone driving in the same category as open carry (guns); both practices are nuts!!!!

[Bird mama]

Sometimes I wonder what is taught in drivers ed these days.

[momtochloe]

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@Blingqueen023 wrote:

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@akaburtonfan wrote:

I wish all cars were made so that when the engine starts the headlights come on. When the engine shuts off, so do the lights. 

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@akaburtonfan They do have cars like that.  I have a 2017 Toyota Camry and even the earlier Camrys I owned had that.  I set the car on auto for the lights and they come on and they shut off when not need.  

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@Blingqueen023 my car is 13 years old and has an automatic setting too so I have to say this thread was kind of a surprise for me.  I have driven at all times of the day but have encountered very few cars that do not have their lights on or maybe because I live in a rather heavily populated area folks just know to turn their lights on?

[gardenman]

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@Bird mama wrote:

Sometimes I wonder what is taught in drivers ed these days.

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Oddly enough our local schools no longer have driver ed programs. They were cut due to budget constraints. Insurance costs in NJ are insane and insuring a driver's ed car apparently cost more than the car did, so the local schools ended up dropping the programs. The state has a number of licensed driver ed companies that you can use for a child, but those come at the parent's expense.

If you go by the local driver test course (local roads around the DMV inspection station) on a weekend you take your life in your hands as pretty much every driver ed company around has kids out practicing on the course and the kids aren't generally all that good or focused on what they're doing.

[Abrowneyegirl]

This is one of my peeves too!!

But I will say the inconsistency between auto manuf. is NOT helping!!

For decades the cars I drove all had the feature of when you turned on your windshield wipers your headlights AUTOMATICALLY turned on as well.  The theory was if it was raining hard enough to turn on the wipers you needed your headlights also.

The problem, we recently purchased a car that does not have this feature and now I often forget I have to do this manually.

[Patriot3]

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@Blingqueen023 wrote:

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@akaburtonfan wrote:

I wish all cars were made so that when the engine starts the headlights come on. When the engine shuts off, so do the lights. 

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@akaburtonfan They do have cars like that.  I have a 2017 Toyota Camry and even the earlier Camrys I owned had that.  I set the car on auto for the lights and they come on and they shut off when not need.  

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I also have owned Camrys for years and all you have to do is set your lights to "auto" and never have to worry about turning them off/on.  It is a sensor that will turn the lights on/off when needed, not just when the engine starts.  I've never had a problem........smart car

[Twins Mom]

Exactly.  Inconsistency definitely contributes to problem.  Several people have also said they set their headlights to "auto" and the problem is solved.  I am NOT saying they are wrong, but I do encourage people to look at their lights (headlights and taillights) in these instances to see what is lilt up.  Sometimes it's just the headlights and the TAILLIGHTS also need to be lit up. Example:  During a snowstorm on the highway some drivers only had their "running" lights on (headlights) but they could hardly be seen from the rear.  Especially white cars.  Other drivers deserve this courtesy.  Good point about windshield wipers automatically turning on lights since that is the law in some states (again, not really enforced).  Some of the problem is remembering, some of the problem is knowing your car, and some of the problem is taking starting the car and driving seriously.  Flashing headlights is a courtesy, hoping to remind other drivers, but that rarely makes a difference.  I think it might have another meaning but.....

[bonnielu]

I am sure my Toyotas have automatic functions.  But in any case I turn lights on myself.  I don't like the just the front light function.. daylights or whatever they are called.  I like a full turn on.  Or else there will be no backlights.  I just think it is safer to drive with lights on whicn I do  1.  two lane roads  2.  raining or bad weather  3 foggy days 4.  Just anytime I want the extra notice.  

[OnlyShopsOnline]

My husband and I both have gotten into the habit of always turning our headlights on, day or night.  It just makes people respond to seeing your car a little more quickly.

Even with daytime running lights, we just turn on our headlights.

[Venezia]

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@twins mom wrote:
Correct. It's the law but not really enforced. It would be good if electronic signage would be used to remind drivers. Flashing lights doesn't seem to mean much to drivers. What can wake drivers up? A pet peeve that means so much.

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Be fair...it's hard for some drivers to see those flashing signs, when they're busy texting or watching a movie on their iPads! 

Yes, I'm being facetious.  I'm also in a state that requires lights to be on, just as in the PA law.  Doesn't mean people follow it and there are signs all along the highway, but low enforcement.

In heavy fog, you often can't even see a car without lights on until you're right on top of it, so I always drive defensively.  If there's an accident, it's not going to be my fault!