Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 07:43
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - gramar

As I regularly commute along the A14 at this time of year each evening 4 out of 5 lorries are travelling covered in lights.Is it allowed for lorries to be feestooned with lights looking like a prop out of Las Vegas or a gaudy Christmas tree?

Surely this dangerous? illegal?

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 07:48
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - piston power

Why do you think it's dangerous?

Don't all trucks have lights on above the cab and high up the back so you can see them.

Christmas is coming let them have there enjoyment as there probably on the road when your tucked up in bed or feasting on the turkey.

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 07:56
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - gramar

I beg to differ - here's a scenario. Lots of brake lights on up ahead, it wet and slippery. Cars hitting the brakesSurely a brightly feestooned loory or two is going to add to the confusion t?

I think it is more important that we have the minimum legally required lights only and judging by the number of vehicles I see on the A14 that cannot even manage that, well..... I rest my case

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 08:07
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - piston power

If the truck is in front of you your not going to see the xmas tree in the cab which is were it is plugged in the cig lighter socket are you?

And if it's behind you again your not going to see it as it's higher up than you,

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 08:11
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - pda

>>

minimum legally required lights only <<

Of course that doesn't include the rear fog light on cars that will now be on until we change the clocks in March 2011, does it?

If you want confusion with braking, then there's your target not the FRONT of a lorry:)

Pat

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Sat 20 Nov 2010 12:04
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - Manatee

It's never occurred to me that this is a problem so I don't think it is.

If we're on dangerous/unhelpful lighting, I have a few higher priorities to deal with -

- badly aimed headlights

- non-working lights

- drivers who won't use lights at dusk or in poor visibility

- about 50% of HIDs, that nod and dazzle even when dipped

- brake lights held on in queues and at junctions

- late/no indications

- rear fog lights in almost any conditions if there is a following vehicle

- slow drivers who don't know how to use main beam - very difficult to overtake at night. Maybe they're slow because they haven't found the main beam switch?

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Mon 22 Nov 2010 21:11
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - Hamsafar

The trucks in the UK are quite dull by international standards, it only causes a problem if the mind of the perceiver has the qualities that make it a problem.

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Mon 22 Nov 2010 22:23
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - Avant

Agree wholeheartedly Manatee - I'm sure you'd join me in saying that these pests are much more likely to be driving cars than trucks.

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Tue 23 Nov 2010 00:58
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - fredthefifth

I can't find it but I thought that there was something in the highway code that said front facing lights should be white and rear facing should be red, plus amber for indicators. Same convention is used for reflective markings on roadside posts, cats eyes etc, so basically you should be able to rely on the fact that it you see white its facing you and probably coming your way, if you see red you should be seeing the back of the vehicle. If that is true it comes down to it being about the law and not opinion. Not sure what the convention is for Christmas lights or blue neons etc.

Unrelated by massively abused is that fog lights, both rear and forward facing should be switched off when visibility is not "seriously reduced".

FTF

Edited by fredthefifth on 23/11/2010 at 00:59

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Wed 24 Nov 2010 12:26
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - captain chaos

I have no problem whatsoever with lorries lit up like christmas trees. I like 'em.

What I do have an issue with, however, are cars and vans with front and/or rear fog lights on when it isn't foggy. The clue is in the name. Why not use the wipers when it's sunny as well?

Fail to understand why so many drive with their headlights on during the day. We're not in Sweden, get your cataracts sorted. At the risk of sounding boring and repetitive, the only vehicles showing headlights at all times should be motorcycles, as they need to be seen and be safe, not made less visible. Legislation required, perhaps?

Too many vehicles running around at night with only one headlight because they've burned them out using them during the day when they're not needed. More police needed to get these clowns off the road until they're fixed.

I was in St.Thomas, USVI earlier on this year. One p.m, brilliant sunshine and everybody driving with their headlights on. Yes, it did look stupid.

It's not just an illness, it's a worldwide epidemic.

Sorry, rant over.

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Wed 24 Nov 2010 12:46
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - davecooper
It's not an epidemic, its legislation...DRL's
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Wed 24 Nov 2010 13:01
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - captain chaos

Legislation that makes motorcyclists more vulnerable. Absolutely brilliant.

In the interests of road safety, it would have made more sense to legislate mandatory eye tests every two years.

Had to slam the anchors on the other day when someone pulled out in front of me. I was driving a Chevy day van, they obviously hadn't seen me. Perhaps I should have had my headlights on :(

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Wed 24 Nov 2010 14:04
Lorries lit up like Chrstmas trees - ForumNeedsModerating

Maybe 'Christmas tree' trucks aren't a problem to M-way drivers with lots of other ambient

light to soften the contrast, but I can say that on the country roads (A/B & unclassified) that I do alot of driving on, they're a blinding menace. Quite often you're faced with ~500-watts of headlight & assorted 'extra' lights coming at you on a 50mph/NSL road - for a few seconds before eye adaption kicks in you can be blinded & not be able to see the verge or position in road of the truck.

And before anyone suggests my eyes can't cope - I very rarely find xenon equipped cars in similar circumstances a problem.

Some hardcore/gravel trucks around this way have a row of 6-8 extra lamps above their cab, with 2 'spots' on the grille - in addition to head/low beam & side lights. Ludicrous.

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