Dial lighting

[GordyT6]

Hi peeps. Another question. The dials ( speedo etc ) illuminate when driving, but as soon as you put side lights on they go dim except the red needles, then when you put dipped beam headlights on the dials illuminate again. I sort of get why they do this, but is there a way of bypassing it so they illuminate when on side lights?
Ta

 

[Rick]

Why would you want too ?

 

[GordyT6]

Cos I've just nice LED DRL's and nice LED side lights but crappy yellow headlight bulbs so would like to run a bit on sidelights but would like to see my dials too. Yes, it is a simple and sad as that! Lol

 

[Rick]

I thought I was illegal to drive with side lights on

 

[GordyT6]

???????? Why would it be illegal ?

 

[Rick]

I don't make the rules so not sure but as far as I know there only for parking

 

[Rick]

Looks like you can drive with sidelights on when there is street lighting and speed 30 mph or less,headlamps when reduced visibility

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

Begs the question as to the function and status of DRLs? Before anybody says it's obvious "They are daylight running lights" I would make the observation that they are brighter than sidelights and were specified and developed to replace the original dim-dip lights originally intended as DRLs.

 

[RattyMcClelland]

Driving with sidelights on isn't illegal. Not sure where you heard that from.

 

[Craigsom]

Hi peeps. Another question. The dials ( speedo etc ) illuminate when driving, but as soon as you put side lights on they go dim except the red needles, then when you put dipped beam headlights on the dials illuminate again. I sort of get why they do this, but is there a way of bypassing it so they illuminate when on side lights?
Ta

if you put your front fogs on, all the dials light up

 

[GordyT6]

No front fogs. I'm a lowly trend line. Dammit. Please dont look down on me. Lol

 

[Alan Walsh]

I have fitted Phillips Racing Vision as per the link, brighter and a better white than the standard. defiantly would recommend them.
Philips Racing Vision RacingVision H4 Headlight Bulbs (Twin) 12342RVS2

 

[Caravellet6]

I believe it's still legal to have a chap with a lantern in front of you waving it at other road users, at least in rural Yorkshire

 

[Thogg]

Late night highway code lift because construction and use regs are so bloody boring its unreal.....

4. Lighting requirements (113 to 116)
113
You MUST

• ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
  
• use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
  
• use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).
Laws RVLR regs 3, 24, & 25, (In Scotland - RTRA 1984 sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched 8))
114
You MUST NOT

• use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
• use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. YouMUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Law RVLR reg 27
115
You should also

• use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen
• keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to main beam if necessary, unless this would dazzle oncoming road users
• slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights

116
Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.
Law RVLR reg 27

 

[T6 Dave]

Damn , I'd like my local law to enforce the fact that ALL cars should have working headlights and side lights so that they don't look like motorbikes at night, and same goes for the rear of the vehicle! (I ride as well), and I regularly count in the order of 30 vehicles with defective lighting on a 25mile drive! (No exaggeration either! And as you can tell, it a pet hate of mine!)

Not having a pop at anyone here either by the way, just get wound up over the local situation Especially over something so blatant! I'll go and hide now

 

[surf-report]

You MUST NOT

• use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders

The cyclists round here have better lights than my T6 and regularly dazzle me!

 

[GordyT6]

The cyclists round here have better lights than my T6 and regularly dazzle me!

Yer some of those cycle lights are properly bright. They need all the help they can get I suppose. Lol

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

Yer some of those cycle lights are properly bright. They need all the help they can get I suppose. Lol

Yes we do I can't speak for road bikers, but as a mountain biker its quite nice to see what's coming up when heading into a mass of wet roots or rocks on a descent in the pitch dark! We always ride responsibly and switch to low power for any road bits, but as with any activity you will always get a few idiots with no consideration for others

 

[Nickdaw]

use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. YouMUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users

This is my pet hate, why do road users insist on having front fog lights on when not needed,
I ride a motor bike every morning and night most of them are dazzling, mostly when its raining (i don't have wipers to help vision)

 

[Thogg]

This is my pet hate, why do road users insist on having front fog lights on when not needed,
I ride a motor bike every morning and night most of them are dazzling, mostly when its raining (i don't have wipers to help vision)

There are two reasons in my experience. They are ignorant/naive and they fink it looks cool like innit bruv...