Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site cvl.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!genrad!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!umcp-cs!cvl!hsu
From: hsu@cvl.UUCP (Dave Hsu)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Headlights
Message-ID: <192@cvl.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 21-Mar-85 16:30:47 EST
Article-I.D.: cvl.192
Posted: Thu Mar 21 16:30:47 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Mar-85 03:28:43 EST
References: <809@homxa.UUCP>
Organization: Computer Vision Lab, U. of Maryland, College Park
Lines: 31

> 
> 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.

I don't know what the problem is in New Jersey; driving with headlights on
in the daytime usually indicates that you are attending a funeral.

> 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?

What conservationist ways?  In Maryland, it is in fact ILLEGAL to drive with
your parking lights on (as it is with your hazard flashers), but there is
some sort of distinction made that allows you to drive with your running
lights on.  Now, since my car only has two stops on the light, I've had a
hard time finding out exactly what constitutes running lights. My driver's ed
instructor didn't know, neither did the county cop nor the state trooper
know.  So I ask you this: where are my running lights?

-dave