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Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

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Comments

  • docnukemdocnukem Member Posts: 485
    I believe their main purpose is to illuminate the road without reflecting back at you from snow and fog (like the high beams and--to a lesser degree--the lows). Like any lights, they are visible from other perspectives at vastly greater distances than their utility for the user (i.e. oncomers can see you well before your lights illuminate them).

    I agree, they should be usable without low beams. I had a car once that made this possible (I think it was my old Probe GT). By using both, you actually diminish the utility of fogs as your eyes accomodate to the greater light reflected back at you from the other lamps.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Fog lights were never intended to be for the drives ability to see

    :P s-weasel, my man, where did you get such a silly idea!?

    If they were indended for others to see, why place them close to the ground? ;)

    james
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Not all fog lights are placed close to the ground. Fog lights are (or were) a yellow/amber color in order to penetrate the fog so others can see you. The ideal was that white light cannot be seen through a white fog as easily as another color such as yellow. So it was used more so oncoming cars could see you.

    Back when I started driving all fog lights were yellow or amber in color which is very poor for using for driving but would let you be seen sooner by oncoming traffic in a fog.

    The ideal to place a clear light low to the ground to increase your visibility doesn't make sense. If the fog is low and think enough to hamper the regular headlights its low and thick enough to hamper you seeing anything a low clear light will show.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Fun drive on I5 today...barely any lane discipline. I can't count the amount of times I (and many other drivers) passed on the right...and I never hit more than 10 over, so I wasn't a speed demon.

    I saw one cop in 200 miles, too.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,688
    Hmmm.... interesting idea. I would have to pay close attention to that for a while in order to agree or disagree that amber/yellow lights will travel further in fog. My analytical side tells me "no," but I just haven't paid enough attention to feel certain about that.

    Placing the lights low to the ground does make sense. It makes sense in the same way that you can see "better" in foggy or snowy conditions using your low beams than you can using your high beams. It is has nothing to do with light penetration as much as it does with light reflection. If you put the lights low to the ground and shine them on the surface, you are getting no light reflecting off the particles from your bumper on up to your windshield and thus you have less distraction through which you must look in order to see the surface. The intent here is not to be able to drive fast - it is to be able to drive safely. As long as you have a set of bright lamps on your vehicle, oncoming traffic can see you; that's not really the issue. If an oncoming driver cannot, it is likely because of the light reflection in front of his face that is drowning out your lights. If you don't believe me on that point, pull off the roadway on a foggy/snowy night and take a look around with your lights off - you can see oncoming lights much, much sooner than when you are driving toward them with your lights on.

    When I turn my driving lights on in a heavy snowstorm, those buggers burn right through the falling snow and light up the road nicely, but the problem is that they are mounted right above my head and so illuminate the snow from there all the way to the road and I have to concentrate so hard just to SEE the darned thing (road) that it makes the ability to drive another 10-15 mph faster unworth the exhausting effort.

    One really just needs to experience the different scenarios to be able to appreciate the benefits of one over another, but I stand by my original claim that turning the fog lamps (not tinted amber, but plain-jane halogens with clear lenses) on independent of the low beams would be a preferable option over linked beams.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    I know this isn't new.

    I've had two aggressive, dangerous incidents with truckers tailgating to push me out of the way. In both cases I obtained enough info to call their dispatch and suggest they tether their dangerous driver. When I described the behavior both times the person seemed actually concerned.

    I guess I'm going to have to program the local highway patrol numbers into the phone and start calling directly to the local Ohio State Patrol. Lots of good that will do.

    Our real problem is we need to be able to use unmarked cars in our state for traffic control; currently that is illegal and has been for decades. Maybe if the truckers though they might be intimidating a policeman... wouldnt that help?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Our real problem is we need to be able to use unmarked cars in our state for traffic control; currently that is illegal and has been for decades

    Plain wrappers are usually spotted pretty quickly by truckers and then they put this out on CB. Not very many 4-wheelers use CB anymore, but I do and it has been immensely helpful through the years. On interstates in my area, I think 18-wheelers for most part are responsible and professional. I do see exceptions at times, including some dangerous tailgating. But, I see more stupid behavior by 4-wheelers in vicinity of 18-wheelers than other way around.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    I believe you saw only one cop in 200 miles, but what you didn't see were a dozen others in unmarked vehicles ranging from Volvos to Explorers w/o gum balls. The WSP drives other than white CV with Black spears on the side.

    Our Emphasis Patrol is in full swing especially in King, Pierce, & Snohomish counties. You are being observed... more than you know. :)
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Clear fog lights mounted below the bumper were very effective for fog and snog driving in E. WA. But, on todays cars, they are not as easy to mount as they used to be on the 53 Chev.

    When driving in daytime fog or snog, try wearing a pair of polarized glasses. For me, they filter out the glare in the fog particles and help my vision. Also very helpful when skiing in a whiteout.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    Both these truckers were weaving in and out and passing other truckers who were moving through at a good, but safe clip. I agree most truckers (80% and up) are safer. But when a 4-wheel makes a mistake it usually doesn't cause the damage the truckers do. There was a letter to the editor about truckers on I-75 and I-70 in today's newspaper.

    We have more than our share of truck accidents. Several of these guys have been prosecuted expecially in the fatal accidents. It's amazing how they always try to blame 4-wheelers for their accident. If 4-wheelers are so dangerous to be around for the truckers, I would think they would drive more carefully when there are 4-wheelers around them instead of cutting in and out and tailgating.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Then they must have had lax standards yesterday, as I saw one cop and zero people pulled over, as several people flew past me, and as I was going ca. 70 in a 60, they were going around 80 I am sure.

    The WSP fails to get much cred from me. I still love how they denied recent fatality accidents had anything to do with speed limit changes north of Everett. Don't lie, not everyone in this dumbed down society is blinded by a badge.

    I didn't see any bad truckers yesterday, save for when they bunch up when one is passing another, going .5mph faster,
  • hammerheadhammerhead Member Posts: 907
    Wes - there is a way to separate the fog lights from the low beams - check/search the 'other' subaru forum site. I thought I had the link saved here but I can't find it. It involves moving some under-dash wires around, IIRC. HTH.

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    In some states it is illegal to alter the intended usage of the fog lamps.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    We're currently on an L.A. to Virginia cross-country trip (3 people + a full trunk and partly loaded back seat). This is in our '04 Camry, and like every car we've had, the back end is drooping somewhat.

    We're taking our time using the back roads (mostly 2-laners), and because of the short daylight, we're driving a few hours into the evening.

    What peeves me is *some* oncoming drivers have to "flash" me because they *think* I have my high beams on. I can't help it that my low beams are aimed somewhat upward. If I can react fast enough, I've been switching to the parking lights position, which also illuminates the much dimmer DRLs.

    What else am I supposed to do? The car's not overloaded.
  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    OK, So how are we to know that? All we see is a set of lights that appear to be high beams pointed at us. So it could be that you have your brights on and don't know it, it could be that you have a misaligned headlight and don't know it, or it could be that you are some boob who does not care...

    If I was coming the other way on a two lane I would probably flash you; to me, it would be inconsiderate, stupid, and probably dangerous for someone to put their high beams on and leave them on in "retaliation."
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    "I can't help it that my low beams are aimed somewhat upward."

    Actually... yes you can. It only takes a screwdriver. Not that I would do it for a single trip either...

    I only flash if oncoming lights really seem like high-beams, and in your case I might have. It's something you have to accept; it's a bother, but they see you the same way.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    Toyota shouldn't have skimped on having auto-leveling rear struts! My LeSabres adjust for the load pumping air into the rear struts so the headlights are aimed where they are supposed to go. We travel with a heavy trunk, back seat loaded with cooler with drinks and stuff, and three adult-sized people.

    You might check into adding air struts.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Trust you to get in a slam against Toyota! Touche!

    Since this is a one-time event (taking my son's worldly goods back from LA combined with my wife and I's carry-on bags), it wouldn't be cost effective to add air struts. Nor would I want to attempt a trial-by-error re-aiming of the headlights -- like where do I find a vertical wall next to a level surface?

    My gripe is that people shouldn't assume my brights are on when they are not, and in fact, MOST oncoming drivers didn't flash me. Interestingly, NO ONE with their fog lights on flashed me (that would have been the nerve), nor did anyone with HID headlamps.

    Seems to me that flashing should only be done when you are reasonably certain that high beams are on -- no longer easy to do like in the 1965-76 period when most cars on the road had 4 headlamps.

    For this very reason, I never flash my brights at anyone, but just avert my eyes.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    >Touche.

    On a more serious note...

    I'd do the headlight reaim. I do mine on a road or street (no traffic) and cover one light and move the other one down or up to put the beam where I think it should be. I like to do it on foggy evenings cause it's easier to see the bright parts of the beam in the mist as you drive so you can tell it needs to go a little left or up or...

    I was giving brights today to people with fog lights that are aimed up. Only one driver had high beams on. We had a dreary and foggy day here in Western Ohio with the cold snow still on the ground with misting rain.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    When I have the chance, I "pre-flash" an oncoming car if I can see from far off that they have their high beams on. Sort of to let them know that it looks to me like they have their brights on. That way I'm not blinding them, but still getting the message across.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    210delray....you said..."My gripe is that people shouldn't assume my brights are on when they are not, and in fact, MOST oncoming drivers didn't flash me"

    You are kidding, right? If an on coming car thinks you have your high beams on, they have a right to "flash" you. They don't know that you have have a car loaded up causing you car to sag in the rear.

    When I see a car with extremely bright lights I will flash them... if by chance they don't have their brights on, they will know that their headlights might need to be re-adjusted.

    My 2002 Mercedes ML500 (just traded in) had bi-xenons... I was not aware they were positioned too high until I noticed a lot of people "flashing" me. I took the truck back to the dealer and they re-adjusted them and since that point I never had a problem blinding people. I would have never known unless people flashed me.

    My new Land Rover LR3 has the bi-xenons, they seem to be correctly aimed, no problems yet.

    In the event when I KNOW someone has the their brights on, I will flash them, if they don't respond, I'll leave mine on blinding them as well. It is amazing that when I do that, they will then turn off their brights :confuse:

    Mark :D
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Well, you and I certainly see things differently!

    Not only do you have the "right" to flash oncoming drivers who YOU KNOW have their high beams on, you will proceed to leave YOURS on if they don't dim theirs.

    Remember in driver's ed when they said that 2 blind drivers makes the situation twice as bad?

    Now pf flyer has the right idea, a "preflash" early if the highbeams appear to be on.

    I still contend that it's hard to know for sure if brights are indeed on, in this day and age of high-riding PU's and SUVs, plus HID headlamps, and people who insist on using fog lights in clear weather.

    For this very reason, I never flash my brights, but just avoid looking directly at the oncoming lights.

    Kinda interesting on my recent west-to-east cross-country trip, when a train running parallel to the 2-lane road had THREE extremely blinding headlights aimed toward me. Because of slight curves in the road as I was approaching, I wasn't sure if it was a car or something else (low-flying aircraft?).

    Suppose I should have flashed him? Do locomotives even have low beams?
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    210... It's funny when someone has their high beams on and will NOT turn them off until I leave mine on too... then, they will turn them off and we are ALL happy campers again. I guess they just need a little bit of an incentive. :P

    Trains are pretty easy to see with their headlight configuration.. always in a triangle set up. I would go ahead a flash them! And give'm an honk too!

    Mark :D
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    An interesting morning on the roads. Kind of rainy, so lights were on, and I guess it was Follow Close Behind the Sentra day for the Dodge Ram guys :surprise:

    I'll only call them mildly inconsiderate for following SO close behind, but the simple height difference between the vehicles had their low beams looking like they had been installed in my rear seat!
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "Do locomotives even have low beams?"

    The answer is yes. What surprises me is that they don't have HID. :)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    My guess is without gyroscopic stabilization, aim might be harder to hold.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    Just heard a story in Nashville about aggressive drivers tend to be the aggressive people you run into when they're out of their car. The trait is not unique to having gotten behind the wheel.

    Anybody else come across that story?

    Driving back from Nashville I find most people seem to have taken Prozac before starting. Driving to Nashville and back were very nice drives compared to other trips. Generally courteous drivers who intend to go somewhere without dawdling. Two major speed traps in Kentucky on I-65--from other trips through KY with 85 mph truckers and truckers tailgating or bumping the rear of your car at 80 mph (almost) because you're in their lane, I can't believe they actually have patrol cars on the Interstate.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    >low beams

    Do they really have switchable beams!!!?

    I like driving along the older highways where a track parallels the road!

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I just recently did that in the southwest! It is absolutely glorious to either follow and slowly overtake or pull the opposite way from a mile long train!!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    When kid was little he loved trains. Chasing one along Rt. 40 through Illinois or other places was a thrill for him. That flat country allowed you to see the trains coming. I loved doing it because I had always been a railfan but I said I did because he liked it... :grin:

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Shoot, I am not a kid, and I still think it is glorious, (well back when I was a kid, it was yahoo and yippee)
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I like driving along the older highways where a track parallels the road!

    There is a place not to far from here where the road is parallel to the tracks for some distance before the road crosses the track via a bridge. We used to wait at the beginning of this stretch and race the train to that crossing. Now before anyone starts to yell at me, I did say that he road crossed the tracks via a bridge.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    The best part is the wave from the engineer or other guy in the cab as you pace the train. A kid loves that, big or small.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I am sure there are lots of other places like this, but Sacramento, CA has a railway museum. It is a wonderful place to spend the better part, if not most of the day. They even fire a locomotive up and you can walk through it feel the heat and hit the horn!
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I took a train trip once where they put a 1937 steam engine on the train to pull us several 100 miles. I was surprised how "greasy" the steam exhaust was. When we would go through a tunnel, we were covered up with fumes, especially if were standing on the landing on the caboose.

    There is no sound like a steam engine.... it's awesome!

    And, the engineer was very inconsiderate because he left his high beams on! :P

    Mark :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    someone tell me the etiquette in this sitution...

    Two of my vehicles, my 1967 Catalina and my 1985 Silverado (that's an old pic with Granddad standing by it when it was new...I'm not THAT old!) have stacked headlights. Oddly, the UPPER headlight is the low-beam and the lower is the high beam!

    Now on the Catalina it's not so bad, because the upper light isn't really much, if any higher than on most cars, and certainly not higher than any truck. But on the Silverado, the upper light is pretty high up. Often when driving the truck I'll get flashed with just my low-beams on because people think I have the brights on, because the light is high up. Although still, it's probably not any higher up than many full-sized trucks and SUVs these days.

    Would it be rude, then, to flash my high beams at them in response, to let them see for themselves that the other lights ARE my low beams?

    Also, the more I think of it, why did they make the stacked headlights like that anyway? Wouldn't it have made more sense to make the higher light the high beam?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    on the subject of trains, I'm just curious...on tv shows like "Petticoat Junction" and "Little House on the Prairie", where did they do the filming for scenes where they'd have to use a train? I figured they went to a railroad museum somewhere in CA.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    Sneakers, maybe KCRam was in your neck of the woods and you pissed him off! :P
  • docnukemdocnukem Member Posts: 485
    It would not be rude to flash them if they flash you more than once (or if they are rude themselves and leave them on to irritate you).

    When I get flashed more than once (unusual, as my lows are actually set lower than most, but some people just automatically flash HID lights), I have no qualms showing them their error. I always assume they then feel a little sheepish. :)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    Some of the HID lights seem to be more blinding when the car bounces or when the road slopes up slightly. The Acuras seem especially bad. I found them irritating even when they were on the other side of I65 while traveling this week.

    I just have trouble with HID light since if is so blinding when they bounce up. It's nice that the people driving that car can see, but they're not safe if they blind oncoming drivers.

    You sound like you realize that the HID lights are brighter and a few people are going to think you have high beams on and flash you.

    I wonder why they haven't been controlled by laws but then the driving lights aimed up masquerading as fog lights that are on with low beams are still out there blinding oncoming traffic. HID probably are better aimed than those driving lights on many cars. Bonnevilles and GPs seem especially bad; maybe it's because there are so many of them on the road.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Would it be rude, then, to flash my high beams at them in response, to let them see for themselves that the other lights ARE my low beams?

    Yes Andre, I think that is an excellent idea. I usually flash first and if they don't dim their highbeams, I leave my brights on. I would say that 99% of the time, they will turn them off.

    If they flash me showing they DON'T have their brights on, then I know for sure. Hopefully, they know that they need to adjust their lowbeams especially when they are driving their Toyota Camry across country loaded to the ground in the back blinding every American from here to Timbucktoo! :P

    Andre, it's neat that you have a picture of your grandfather next to the truck that you still own. You can NEVER get rid of that truck! You should have it redone in his honor! :shades:

    Mark :D
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • docnukemdocnukem Member Posts: 485
    My lows are actually set so that it would be easy for me to overdrive them on a dark road (there have been several complaints on the M35 boards about low lights). The HID lights do extend well out to the sides though (like your opposite side of the interstate story). I feel they make the fog lights superfluous.

    I don't usually keep my brights on when someone won't dim their own. I just flash them a few more times. If, however, someone thinks my lows are high beams and turn their own highs on, and keep them on after I flash them once, I have no regrets blinding them with both my low and high beams.
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    "Would it be rude, then, to flash my high beams at them in response, to let them see for themselves that the other lights ARE my low beams?"

    No, it wouldn't be rude. Just make them quick flashes.

    I've probably flashed drivers who simply had high or bright low beams before. They looked like high beams, so I don't feel bad about letting them know that they're being annoying. Up to them to decide if they want to re-adjust them.

    High/bright low beams are worse when they're behind me. But I don't have a way of telling the truck behind me that they're blinding me, short of crashing. As if they'd care.

    I suppose that lights that don't hurt oncoming drivers' eyes (low beams) are always going to be too low, so that it's easy to overdrive them. In lit urban areas there should be no need, but in truly dark areas I'm more tolerant of high beams. Sometimes they really do hurt though.
  • pokerdromepokerdrome Member Posts: 3
    On I-65 in south Alabama, I see in my mirror an ambulance with lights and siren approaching from behind about a half mile back. I get in the right lane doing about 78 MPH. After the ambulance passes, there is a very worn looking Camaro following the ambulance. After the girl in the Camaro passes me, she proceeds to get in front of me in the right lane and proceeds to pass the ambulance. I believe this is illegal. If not it left me with mouth agape!
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Interesting. I'm not sure of the law around here regarding that. But most of us I'm sure tend to yield to emergency vehicles.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Also, the more I think of it, why did they make the stacked headlights like that anyway? Wouldn't it have made more sense to make the higher light the high beam?

    I don't know the answer to your question; maybe some states had some kind of regulation then. But stacked headlights have always operated this way as long as I can remember (low beams on top) starting with widespread use on the '63 full-size Pontiacs. So you can blame GM if there were no state regulations on this. (This definitely predates federal safety standards.)

    BTW, the last time I watched Bullitt, I noticed the '67 Ford cop car was running around with only its bottom beams illuminated! Go figure.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    This last week was one of gift returns at various shopping malls. Lots of stupid inconsiderate drivers seen in a number of parking lots driving diagonally across parking lots rather than down the lanes.

    Off topic, think that "the moment" in Bullitt is when bad guy sees Bullitt in his rear view mirror.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    If they flash me showing they DON'T have their brights on, then I know for sure. Hopefully, they know that they need to adjust their lowbeams especially when they are driving their Toyota Camry across country loaded to the ground in the back blinding every American from here to Timbucktoo!

    Hey, I see the tongue sticking out, but still I gotta protest! My Camry wasn't sagging that badly, and I'd estimate only about 5% of the oncoming drivers flashed us on the mostly 2-lane roads we were using. Besides:

    1. These roads weren't exactly crammed with traffic, especially in the wilds of Nevada and Utah (US Routes 6 and 50). Ever hear of the loneliest road in America?

    2. I thought of bringing rudimentary tools with me on the flight to L.A. to start the drive, but thanks to Osama and pals, they would have been subject to confiscation. And I'm not about to buy anything when I've got a whole toolbox full at home.

    3. Seriously guys, how many of you would have refocused your headlights in 15-degree weather at 10 PM in a motel parking lot in Ely, NV? It was more fun to go the neighborhood watering hole and shoot the breeze with the locals. ;)

    4. And finally it's spelled "Timbuktu," and no we didn't make it there!
  • carlisimocarlisimo Member Posts: 1,280
    I wouldn't have adjusted them either, and all your reasons are totally fair.

    I just don't think you should be upset that people flashed you. They don't know you don't actually drive around with your hi-beams on, but they did have reason to be upset.

    Speaking of adjustments, most of the times I get blinded by a headlight... it's only one of the headlights. Which (I assume) means an adjustment problem.

    I'd bet that only 1 out of 20 car owners, at best, know about headlight adjustability at all. I really don't think they'll EVER find out that they have a maladjusted light.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    First, there is an extremely disproportionate amount of General Motor cars blinding on coming motorists (and an occasional Toyota :P ).

    So many times when I see the "offender" coming my way, it's usually an older person driving their GM product, usually a LeSabre, etc. My parents had one and I can see how the problem starts... The high beam control works off the turning signal indicator switch. It is very easy to accidently click it on without knowing it.

    My Dad was driving the '99 LeSabre Ltd down one of our major streets when he came to a red light. The gentleman in front of my Dad got out of his car walking towards my Dad. My Dad let the window down and the guy said "you are blinding me with your high beams".. my Dad said "oh, sorry, I didn't realize they were on." (my Dad is 84 yrs old).

    Not long after that my Dad totalled the LeSabre and now has a Mercury Grand Marquis that has a much better lever for the high beams.

    Mark :)
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
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