Joseph Calleja, Manteca, US
Driving safer with headlights switched on
As I understand it, in 2010 it will become mandatory to have headlights on while operating a car during day or night. It has been proven that driving your vehicle with your headlights on can save your life or someone else's. Driving with your lights on during the day alerts oncoming traffic and might avoid an accident especially on two-lane roads.
Contrary to what most people believe, driving with your headlights on does not wear out your battery because after starting your vehicle, power is generated by the alternator. As long as you have the engine running, the alternator (if working right) supplies all the electrical power. Start driving with your headlights on and if you have any doubts check with your mechanic or with the Motor Vehicle Department.
So make it a habit: Buckle up, start your engine and drive with your headlights on. This practice could avoid accidents and may even save your life...
15 Comments
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Jannie Hartmann
Dec 1st 2008, 20:44
In the Netherlands it is compulsary for every driver to use dipped headlights during day time hours, as someone already mentioned it cuts down on accidents,unfortunately this is not the case in Malta especially Gozo,drivers over there think they are saving their battery life or no indicators which is of course totally wrong as hardly any power is lost due to the fact the battery is being charged constantly whilst driving.
Joseph Ellul
Nov 30th 2008, 09:43
ghodni kejf qumt mir-roqda to mitt sana. Il- bireh mort il belt bil-karrattun u zimel, u meta kont gej lura kan qed jidlum u xeghlt il muzbah u hallajtu fl'imnura minhabba ir-rejh. Jena dhelt fil-bannina toht il- karru u hadt raqda tojba.
Slem alikum
Ramon Casha
Nov 30th 2008, 07:17
During the day? We're still working on getting drivers to have two functioning headlamps during the night.
E. Azzopardi
Nov 29th 2008, 23:24
In Malta many drivers do not know that when you are using your wipers because it is raining, irrespective of how bright it is, you must put your lights on. It is also in the highway code but many have not even heard of this. To put your lights on in a sunny day in Malta is stupid to say the least.
Joseph Pace
Nov 29th 2008, 23:00
I agree that it is safer to use lights in dull and rainy conditions, in fact I drive with my lights on whenever I think that visibilty is less than perfect. However, I fail to understand why we should use lights on a bright sunny day. An educational campaign would be a positive and less imposing approach. I am all for automation but if cars are to turn lights on automatically, then this should be done using a light sensitive switch (they cost very little nowadays) which will only turn on when light levels are low. In climates such as ours we need sunglasses to drive on most days, I wouldn't be surprised if some bureaucrat proposes making them illegal on the principle of the more light the better.
lgalea
Nov 29th 2008, 21:53
Derek Bennett
Spot on.
They just want to justify the hefty pay package.
Why on earth do we need headlights on in sunny blinding Malta especially in Summer?
Perhaps a commission from the lamps and batteries manufacturers and perhaps the oil companies, because lamps have a definite life, batteries likewise and since the alternator uses energy from the engine to charge the battery, it will increase the consumption of fuel may have worked wonders.
C. Weitze
Nov 29th 2008, 19:46
Dear Mr. Meilak,
Just because YOU (might) stay costantly alert whilst driving, it doesn't mean that others do.
On the contrary: whenever I am on the road I see countless idiots chatting or sms'ing away on their mobile phones whilst giving a damn about the law that prohibits their use whilst driving.
Apart from other drivers, there are pedestrians, children and elderly that might get distracted, when crossing a road AND let us not forget the constantly increasing amount of bikes on the road.
It is about safety, Mr. Meilak - and not about being blind.
I guess, we all had our vision test, before we were allowed to get our driving licence....at least, where I come from!
Charles DeMicoli
Nov 29th 2008, 17:47
Referring to conditions in the US: for the past few years, a good number of models are equipped with Daylight Running Lights - you turn on the ignition, the Daylights (not the Headlights) turn on automatically. Cars equipped with daylight running lights get a break from the insurance companies. On ALL motorcycles in the US , the low beam is interlocked with the ignition - there's no OFF switch, and it is illegal to ride a bike with the headlight off, anytime. In some states in the US, you have to turn on your low beams when you turn on your wipers. All this translates into safer driving conditions. A lot of drivers get distracted, especially when adjusting the GPS while sending an SMS as they drink their coffee, change radio stations, use an electric shaver and talk to the passenger in the back - all at the same time while they drive! On my motorcycle, I even have a device that flashes my highbeam at a constant, legal rate, in order to be more conspicuous, as well as flashers on my brake lights. You cannot take chances anymore. Drivers have too many distractions.
John Meilak
Nov 29th 2008, 14:43
Who need's headlights switched on during the day? You're blind if you cannot see a big, moving car in broad daylight. I think being constantly alert saves your life, not switching on headlights. Most driving accidents are based on human error not switched off headlights. Come on, don't tell me you cannot see a car from 100 metres away in sunlight?
Herbert Guillaumier
Nov 29th 2008, 14:24
I've seen cars going along with their headlights on in Cyprus way back in 1972. And, Mr Bennett, Cyprus wasn't yet in the EU.
C. Weitze
Nov 29th 2008, 12:58
The first time I came across the headlight policy idea was in 1984, when I was driving a collegues Subaru in Hamburg. The moment I started the engine, the headlights came on automatically.
In those days there were countless drivers pointing out, that my headlights were on - so yes, you do get noticed when you drive with headlights on!
Another study of those days showed, that certain car colours - e.g. white, silver and black - are very difficult to see in ANY weather condition and a recommendation was given out, which colours would be best seen (yellow / orange etc.)
Meanwhile the headlight policy is on the verge of becoming a law in Germany.
In order to adjust on time, I have been using this policy here in Malta in grey and rainy weather conditions and gladly noticed, that over the years more and more people followed the advice of the experts.
It is a fact that you can see oncoming traffic better, when headlights are on.
For everybody's sake:
APPLY THIS SAFETY RULE AND CUT DOWN ON ( FATAL) ACCIDENTS, WHICH - DUE TO VISION - COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED EASILY!
M Mealclaff
Nov 29th 2008, 11:56
Headlights on in Daytime.
Must be joking !!
In Malta many drivers dont put headlights on at Night, let alone during the Day !!!
Joseph Galea
Nov 29th 2008, 11:31
It is strange how some people tend to tag anything that they view shortsightedly and disagree with as "mad" and proceed to do the 'in' thing by blaming it on the EU! To change anything in Malta is always an uphill battle!
Driving with headlights on has been standard practice in North America for donkeys' years. This safety feature is standard equipment on cars. You start your engine the lights go on.
Derek Bennett
Nov 29th 2008, 10:55
This mad idea is yet more EU interferance in our lives. It is not just Maltese motorists who will be forced to drive with headlights on in bright sunlight, it will be every motorist living in the EU.
This may not be such a bad idea in northern countries where the daylight is poor in the winter months, but in the bright sunny climes of Malta, Spain, Portugal and others in the south where the light is bright, it is pointless and wasteful.
Driving with headlights on may not harm your battery, but it adds to fuel consumption. Over a period of time it will add to to the cost of motoring as people use more fuel - so it's not very green either.
Once again it would be far more sensible if individual nations could decide these matters for themselves - not obey orders from the unelected EU above!
Randolph Spiteri
Nov 29th 2008, 10:00
Good point. But please remember that most cars in Malta are not fitted with an audible alarm that warns you if you leave the headlights on and switch off the engine or open the driver's door. So, I think a lot of people will end up with flat batteries when this system comes into force ! However, I heard that such a device can be retro-fitted to most vehicles by a qualified auto electrician.