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From: hood@homxa.UUCP (R.HOOD)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Headlights
Message-ID: <809@homxa.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Mar-85 08:10:19 EST
Article-I.D.: homxa.809
Posted: Fri Mar 15 08:10:19 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Mar-85 04:25:30 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 25


Here's a question for you road-wise netters.

While I was working for a telephone company in Oregon it was company policy
to have the car headlights on whenever the vehicle was being driven.  The
theory behind this was that it makes the car more visible and less likely 
to be involved in an accident.  It seems to make good sense, so I adopted
it as a personal driving habit also.

Since moving to New Jersey last year I have continued to drive with my
headlights on, but I find that it seems to disturb the natives.  On
a good day I can get upwards of 4 flashes (headlights only) per mile
from oncomming drivers.  I even have pedestrians wave, point, and shout
at me.  Some of these people actually seem offended.

So whats the problem.  Is there some local custom I don't know about?
Is it illegal? Immoral?  

I've also noticed a large number of people who drive at night with only
the parking lights on - perhaps they are conserving energy.  It could be
that by needlessly using my headlights I offend these energy conscious
Easterners and they are trying to convert me to their conservationalist
ways.  Any comments?

				Ron