The lost art of using main beam

C

cj_eds

Senior member
 Stirling
Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the reluctance by drivers to use main beam on dark nights? I'm convinced I'm catching more and more people who would rather drive with only dipped beams, than put main beam (usually also only doing 40mph but comment stands regardless of speed). It gets quite annoying being stuck behind someone where you suspect the road ahead is clear to overtake but you just can't take the risk when you can't see ahead. I wouldn't usually use full beam before starting an overtake for fear of scaring the other driver into doing something unpredictable and stupid, but I ended up finding myself doing it the other night after quite a struggle just to stay in 5th gear behind an XC90 on a relatively straight NSL section of road.

When there's opposing traffic or when you've got a car in front that you'll probably dazzle then fair enough, don't use main beam, but it feels like more and more people can't be arsed using all their available lights at all others times.
 
Half Colin said:
Totally agree and have you also noticed that the majority of drivers can't seem to overtake these days either.
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And yet shake their head at the audacity of someone overtaking them :lol:

We have a few roads around here where people refuse to get within 15-20 mph of the speed limit. Seriously if people cannot drive at the speed limit in perfect conditions then surely they shouldn't be on the road. I know there are scenarios where you slow down but people refusing to go over 30 in a National speed limit area totally wind me up.
 
andymezza said:
And yet shake their head at the audacity of someone overtaking them :lol:
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I seem to find that its only after you've overtaken a car that's travelling at 20mph on the open road that the driver "finds" the main beam switch, and promptly turns it on in a show of disgust at someone overtaking them....
 
cj_eds said:
Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the reluctance by drivers to use main beam on dark nights?
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just a thought, when did you last clean your windscreen?
 
Surely if there are no headlights coming the other way it is fairly safe to overtake, providing you know where the road is heading!
 
Nosa said:
Taz x said:
cj_eds said:
Is it just me, or does anyone else notice the reluctance by drivers to use main beam on dark nights?
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just a thought, when did you last clean your windscreen?
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:rofl: :rofl:
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:poke: when the car was washed last weekend :P

malibudave said:
Surely if there are no headlights coming the other way it is fairly safe to overtake, providing you know where the road is heading!
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No, been given that nasty surprise before when I pulled out nearly face to face with an oncoming cyclist with no lights on. Once bitten twice shy!
 
Can't say I've noticed to be honest. I use mine whenever possible.

As a slight aside the standard (non-xenon) headlights on my old pre-facelift Roadster were a disgrace on a car capable of 155mph.
 
I agree, but I agree more with the comment about the lost art of overtaking. Worse still is the inability of people to leave a gap to the car in front, presumably on the premise that since they can't/won't overtake, you shouldn't either. Other than forcing a gap (not a preferred option) there's not much one can do.

I've always wondered that if I drove, say, a red Ferrari, whether people would let you get on with it a bit more easily.
 
James_G said:
I agree, but I agree more with the comment about the lost art of overtaking. Worse still is the inability of people to leave a gap to the car in front, presumably on the premise that since they can't/won't overtake, you shouldn't either. Other than forcing a gap (not a preferred option) there's not much one can do.

I've always wondered that if I drove, say, a red Ferrari, whether people would let you get on with it a bit more easily.
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+1

Why do people following, say a truck, that have no intention of overtaking feel the need to sit right behind it and as far over to the right as possible thus meaning anyone overtaking would have to be further to the right and with a longer obsticle to clear as well as having less vision?

If your not going to pass, get out of the f***ing way! :headbang:
 
oli445 said:
James_G said:
I agree, but I agree more with the comment about the lost art of overtaking. Worse still is the inability of people to leave a gap to the car in front, presumably on the premise that since they can't/won't overtake, you shouldn't either. Other than forcing a gap (not a preferred option) there's not much one can do.

I've always wondered that if I drove, say, a red Ferrari, whether people would let you get on with it a bit more easily.
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+1

Why do people following, say a truck, that have no intention of overtaking feel the need to sit right behind it and as far over to the right as possible thus meaning anyone overtaking would have to be further to the right and with a longer obsticle to clear as well as having less vision?

If your not going to pass, get out of the f***ing way! :headbang:
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because they feel the want to overtake but have no idea how to do it.. don't understand that in order to see right around it, you need to hang back a little bit.

Had some great fun on Sunday morning overtaking trains of cars that were too frightened :driving:

Once people have their license they feel that's it no more learning required - how wrong :( I think there should be a lot of levels of driving test and regular re-tests. It'll never happen though.
 
I would not like re tests of feeding the wheel whilst driving :o

Every day's a school day in the zed :thumbsup:


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I know what you mean. I usually pull out, hit the main beam and then go if I can see clearly enough, but you're right, it would be far easier if you didn't have to.

I don't overtake as much as I used to because of the reaction you get, usually some tosser who gains 20mph immediately after overtaking when before they were trundling along at 40.
 
I only overtake in certain situations these days, usually where its 100% clear there are no side exits - wait til some tw@ makes a right turn (or left in the US!) across the front of you and runs you off the road at speed.....you may change your mind. I did. :cry:
 
Wondermike said:
because of the reaction you get, usually some tosser who gains 20mph immediately after overtaking when before they were trundling along at 40.
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I think you are being over-sensitive.

The person who follows after an overtake has someone 'breaking trail'.

It isn't personal, just a lack of restricted visibility confidence on their part. If you drive on what you can see and are limited by the dip on your lights then you just aren't going to make much speed. Once there are a nice pair of tail lights ahead they are aware of much more of the road ahead. They may even be pleased that you are there to show the way.

Not everybody maybe, but probably a majority.

We should overtake at night, it is a service to other road users!
 
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