Car headlights/lack of them in stafford

Miss Red

Well-Known Forumite
Ive just counted 4 cars driving with only one headlight lit...........and 3 cars with one dim lit headlight!! this was between the gaol (corporation street) tixall road, a 10 min journey at 8.15pm so it was dark.........sort it out people!!
 

Kickstart

Well-Known Forumite
Hi

Been getting worse for years. Same for brake lights.

However given how hard it is to change headlight bulbs on some cars it isn't that much of a surprise. Ford Ka is designed to remove skin in equal weight to bulbs.

All the best

Keith
 

henryscat

Well-Known Forumite
Even more annoying is when they either: switch fog lights on or switch the remaining headlamp to full beam to compensate.

It would be nice if coppers dealt with the problem instead of generally past and ignoring it.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
It would be nice if coppers dealt with the problem instead of generally past and ignoring it.
In the '70s and early '80s, if a car following you had both its headlights just a touch too high, and by equal amounts, then there was a good chance that it was a copper. My theory was that they set the headlights accurately, but then loaded all the kit into the boot afterwards..

I can sort of accept that people can be ignorant about their rear lights, but how can you not see that your headlights are out?
 

cushT

Active Member
Interestingly, according to the Highway code, we shouldn't be driving with headlights on anyway around our street lit roads.

To quote the HC,

* 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)

 

dangerousdave

Well-Known Forumite
the difference is between your headlightts and your dipped headlights. i've made that mistake when buying bulbs, like a clown
 

Toble

Well-Known Forumite
As to the difficulty changing bulbs... not a valid excuse, even if you drive a recent model Astra (where apparently you need to perform keyhole surgery through the wheelarch to get at the headlights).

I got pulled over last year for driving from Manchester to Stafford without my brake lights coming on. The lights were working, but I just didn't use the brakes. That took a bit of explaining.
 

Franklin_Delano_Roosevelt

Well-Known Forumite
It is a problem and it is getting worse but to be honest it is just part of a wider problem associated with car maintenance. As the cost of fuel (in particular), tax, insurance, servicing and everything to do with running a car has gone up so much in recent years people are unfortunately cutting back on routine checks and servicing in order to save a few quid.

A new bulb can be around £10 - £15 quid and then (as has been pointed out in previous posts) due to the car design if it is beyond you to be able to replace it and you have to have it done at a garage with the labour charge you could easily be looking at £50 quid - for one bulb!

Add to that the fact that the Police are generally not interested as they have all been "replaced" by speed cameras (or to give them their full title - automatic cash machines) and people probably weigh up the probability of getting stopped and think yeah it is worth running around with bulbs gone, bald tyres, no insurance etc because the chance of actually getting caught are miniscule & if I get caught I'll pay the fine as that will cost less than the insurance / service etc would have done anyway. And they reckon that crime doesn't pay....
 

United57

Well-Known Forumite
In the last 3 years I have changed mine twice. I always buy them in pairs. Its difficult to change them but like a lot of people it annoys me that people drive around with only one headlight.

I do wonder if headlight bulbs are generally not lasting ?
 

cushT

Active Member
the difference is between your headlightts and your dipped headlights. i've made that mistake when buying bulbs, like a clown

Yes that does make sence. Although, reading on, the HC confuses matters more by referring to 'main beam'.

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
 

Toble

Well-Known Forumite
A nice story I heard about fog lights was:
Bloke driving a 4x4 down a country lane at night has his fogs on, so another 4x4 coming the other way turns its fogs on.
He then puts his headlights up to high beam, they do the same.
He turns on the orange flashers on his roof. They do likewise...
... but their roof lights are blue.

Cue one stern telling off.
 

Kickstart

Well-Known Forumite
A new bulb can be around £10 - £15 quid and then (as has been pointed out in previous posts) due to the car design if it is beyond you to be able to replace it and you have to have it done at a garage with the labour charge you could easily be looking at £50 quid - for one bulb!

With some cars it needs the bumper to come off (officially) to change the bulbs, and hence (officially) several hours labour just to change a headlight bulb

I do wonder if headlight bulbs are generally not lasting ?

Possible. We have an X type and that seems to eat headlight bulbs. Also have an Alfa 156 which seems to be OK for headlight bulbs but eats side light bulbs (which for some strange reason are expensive halogen sidelight bulbs).

All the best

Keith
 
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