Just a few years ago, it was actually against the law in Italy (and perhaps
other European towns) to drive at night with bright headlamps. The theory
was that without the blinding glare of oncoming car headlights, it was much
easier to see pedestrians that often walked across city streets. Some local
cars had a separate, low wattage bulb within the normal headlamp enclosure,
which were equivalent to our Western "parking" lamps. American cars were
required to drive around these towns using only parking lamps at night.
For parking purposes, the only thing that would make sense nowadays is the
European method of only turning on the front and back lamps on the road
side. Having all corners lit only serves to drain the battery!
Now for dumb ideas, try the "Daytime Running Lights", which in some cars
were initially the high beams!
Werner
1990 300D
1983 300SD
1987 F150
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" <mercedes@okiebenz.com>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Funny boo boo among MB owners
ernest breakfield wrote:
properly adjusted quality front fog lights wouldn't blind anyone, and add
a
great deal to the conspicuity of your vehicle in traffic (with or without
fog).
given the caliber of our average fellow motorists as evidenced by what
they
will pull out of and then claim they "didn't see", almost anything could
be
justified as necessary.
I don't see how running with fog lights will make your car any more
visible to other motorists than having just your headlights on. Even
when aimed properly, they still create another bright point source of
light to dazzle oncoming drivers.
My personal nomination for the dumbest use of lighting, though, are
people who drive around with just their parking lights on.
