Highway Driving At Night And Vehicles Approaching From Behind

[Neal]

I understand the need for visibility. But I fail to see why it would matter if a trucker or any other vehicle thinks they are coming up on a motorcycle, autocycle, or automobile. They should be approaching all of them the same way.

 

[Bikebrains]

check with your local laws about how bright they can be, and placement. It's far better to find out if it's legal first than getting pulled over and told.

I see many tail laser lamps referred to as fog lamps. Since I am in Illinois, I went to: http://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2005/chapter49/59744.html and found: "
(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the use of auxiliary driving lamps, commonly referred to as "fog" lamps, when used in conjunction with head lamps, if such auxiliary driving lamps are adjusted and so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles. (Source: P.A. 85‑1144.)" They would be used in conjunction with my head lamps since my 2014 car always has head lamps on. There is one possible problem:
Sec. 12‑212. Special restrictions on lamps.
(c) Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this Code, all other lighting or combination of lighting on any vehicle shall be prohibited.
(Source: P.A. 86‑664.)
Thus, I guess, the manufacturer would have to specifically state that the laser light is a form of fog lamp.

 

[Bikebrains]

But I fail to see why it would matter if a trucker or any other vehicle thinks they are coming up on a motorcycle, autocycle, or automobile.

I thought of the worst writer in the English language, Edward Bulwer-Lytton (http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ ) He wrote: "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.” Now combine that weather with a driver of an 18 wheeler who just passed the legal limit for the number of hours he is allowed to drive per 24 hours and he looking for an exit so he can get some sleep. He is approaching you from behind. Lets say that you now have a one in ten chance that he will not see you. If he does not see you then his massive bumper will ram into your roof. So, do I feel lucky? This situation has happened before, kind of,

.

 

[McBrew]

I don't think there would be much of a difference in night visibility if a truck came up behind an Elio or a Cadillac. There are lights on either one.


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[wizard of ahs]

50+ years riding, NEVER had a semi crawl up my @$$....now punk kids, moms on cell phones....that's another story !!!

 

[Bikebrains]

New articles about rear lighting:
https://www.elioowners.com/threads/momentum-v93.8233/

https://www.eliomotors.com/answers-to-bright-questions/

 

[Earl LaSitis]

Wouldn't this have to follow the safety standards and regulations to make sure that it passed before it be passed for production?

 

[Coss]

Wouldn't this have to follow the safety standards and regulations to make sure that it passed before it be passed for production?

I asked EM about that; My question and their answer:

Coss
Feb 23, 02:40 EST

Does Elio have to add a center headlight to be compliant?
The Morgan's had to add center lights; it's covered in this article
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/morgans-three-wheeled-motorcars-headlights-are-too-fa-1479650393

EM:

The Elio Customer Experience Team (Elio Motors)

Feb 23, 09:18 EST

We are not planning on a center light Garry.

Make sure to check out our blog at www.eliomotors.com/blog

Thank you,
The Elio Team

Coss

Feb 23, 13:15 EST

So how do you plan on being compliance?

It is spelled out in that article.

The Elio Customer Experience Team (Elio Motors)

Feb 23, 18:47 EST

The article is over three years old and we are working with the correct people to make ours work more safely. If the path we are on is not successful, we will try other paths because the single light is not as safe, in our opinion, as two.

Make sure to check out our blog at www.eliomotors.com/blog

Thank you,
The Elio Team

 

[wizard of ahs]

???
Another NON answer

 

[Marshall]

I understand the need for visibility. But I fail to see why it would matter if a trucker or any other vehicle thinks they are coming up on a motorcycle, autocycle, or automobile. They should be approaching all of them the same way.

And there-in lies the problem... Should doesn't wind up as Would.