car lights

[andy]

as much as i hate to post in wrong place etc,

whats the legal amount of light you can have on a car for road use? standard is 2 55W lamps, but are you alowed 4?

 

[Softus]

I'm sticking my neck out here, because I don't actually know, but, given that the dipped beams have to be focussed in a very specific way, I doubt that you are allowed to have any more than two dipped beam units.

However, there are no rules about main beam, because the requirement to drive with due care and consideration means that we're not allowed to dazzle oncoming drivers, so you can cover the front of your car in lights if you want to (don't forget to uprate your lighting cable though).

I do remember that the early XJ6 had four lights, two were dual filament the the two others were main beam only - I'm sure many top-end cars have this same feature.

 

[dg123]

I think Softus is right about this, take a look at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20052559.htm I couldn't find a specific reference to bulbs but you might find something.

On a slight tack, I do wonder about individuals' perspectives on use of lights. Driving home last night in murky conditions (including the odd snow shower) some cars had their headlights on, others had fog lights on whilst others had no lights on at all - this was on a busy motorway.

 

[Softus]

Requirements about the use of headlamps and front fog lamps
25.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle which is fitted with obligatory dipped-beam headlamps unless every such lamp is kept lit-

(a) during the hours of darkness, except on a road which is a restricted road for the purposes of section 81 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 by virtue of a system of street lighting when it is lit; and

(b) in seriously reduced visibility.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) do not apply-

(a) in the case of a motor vehicle fitted with one obligatory dipped-beam headlamp or a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if a main-beam headlamp or a front fog lamp is kept lit;


(b) in the case of a motor vehicle, other than a solo motor bicycle or motor bicycle combination, fitted with a pair of obligatory dipped-beam headlamps, if-

(i) a pair of main-beam headlamps is kept lit; or
(ii) in seriously reduced visibility, a pair of front fog lamps which is so fitted that the outermost part of the illuminated area of each lamp in the pair is not more than 400 mm from the outer edge of the vehicle is kept lit.

Note that "seriously reduced visibility" is not defined within the SI itself.

 

[andy]

Note that "seriously reduced visibility" is not defined within the SI itself.

it is in the highway code. reduced is less than 100metres

 

[Softus]

The Highway Code has no legal standing.

 

[Steve]

some people think "reduced visibility" is "WHEN IT GETS DARK", evident from the number of people who use their foglights all the time.

andy, you should have known this would turn into another foglight debate!!