[sidabrine]

I spent most of last year (and especially last couple of rainy days) wondering what is it with people not putting their headlights on their cars well past sunset (in darkness) and especially not putting lights on when it is raining, foggy and especially if driving a grey car that you can't see even if it is 2 meters away from you?!!?

Was wondering if there's some local folklore about saving petrol or something like that? I just don't get it, you might see other cars, but they can't see you, what is so difficult about putting your headlights on?!?!

[aggelon]

They think that the light are for seeing with not so they can be seen.

[Mickstim]

Its to save electricity and therefore the planet!! :D

[aberdian]

Try driving in Vietnam..... My scariest experience was in a car in the dark, in pouring rain driving from HCMC to Vung Tao at high speed, trying to persuade the driver to at least put his wipers on, even if he didn't put his lights on. Both went on, just in time to see a water buffalo lying in the middle of the road - because the tar cools down slowly, they come onto it at night to stay warm..... We missed it, but boy was it close.

[StevieD]

Yes, had experience of that earlier in the week driving back from Opotiki in torrential rain, so difficult, and if you pull out to overtake and these clowns are merged in to the haze, it isn't difficult to imagine the consequences!

[Croft]

I spent most of last year (and especially last couple of rainy days) wondering what is it with people not putting their headlights on their cars well past sunset (in darkness) and especially not putting lights on when it is raining, foggy and especially if driving a grey car that you can't see even if it is 2 meters away from you?!!?

Was wondering if there's some local folklore about saving petrol or something like that? I just don't get it, you might see other cars, but they can't see you, what is so difficult about putting your headlights on?!?!

According ot the NZ Road Code you need to switch on your headlights "from 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/night-driving.html)". In the UK you are not required to use headlights on "restricted roads (those with street lights not more than 185 metres (600 feet) apart and which are generally subject to a speed limit of 30 mph) (http://www.theorytestadvice.co.uk/HCPlus/6_Rules_85_-_134/6_rules_85_-_134.html)".

There are tips in the NZ Road Code about driving with headlights in bad weather conditions, but nothing that specifically states you need to turn them on!

[Moorf]

Is there a foglight rule in NZ.. I'm fed up of screaming .. IT'S NOT FOGGYYY.. as they blaze in to view....:mad:

[jubjub]

This from LTNZ

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/get-your-lights-right.html

[Croft]

Is there a foglight rule in NZ.. I'm fed up of screaming .. IT'S NOT FOGGYYY.. as they blaze in to view....:mad:

Same wherever I've driven though. Little bit of mist and the fog lights go on (are the braking???) and is left on for the next 3 days, blinding everyone behind them.

[Cardy]

One day i drove to work in hamilton in the fog and saw 5 people driving with no lights . when i got to work i mentioned it to one of the ladies there and her reply was WHY BOTHER NOBODY CAN SEE YOU IN THE FOG ANYWAY!!!Scary:confused:

[xanctus]

Driving in NZ is really a challenge for everyone in my opinion...not just about turning headlights on, turning the fog lights on during clear sky nite, but how about...NOT saying THANK YOU or being RUDE on the street is simply challenging for others to cope that in a daily basis. (again not always and not everyone like that)