• Euergetes [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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    2 months ago

    it should be impossible for people to turn off their headlights, even in more visible paint colors the risk is fucking ludicrous for no discernable benefit.

    • XiaCobolt [she/her]@hexbear.net
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      2 months ago

      I’m a strong believer of this too. It’s a myth it uses more fuel. It helps with visibility. I have my headlights on and I’ve had other drivers or pedestrians tell me they’re on and it’s “of course they are it’s safer!”

      • quarrk [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        2 months ago

        It used to be more valid when cars used standard incandescent (I think?) lightbulbs with much shorter lifespans than modern ones. It’s not a problem anymore

      • Xavienth@lemmygrad.ml
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        2 months ago

        Is it a myth it uses more fuel or is it just negligible to the point of being immeasurable in practical terms?

        Because the energy has to come from somewhere.

        • XiaCobolt [she/her]@hexbear.net
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          2 months ago

          the energy has to come from somewhere

          The car is making electricity when driving lights on or off. If the battery is full it’s lost to waste.

          • Xavienth@lemmygrad.ml
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            2 months ago

            If the battery is full the alternator doesn’t output any significant current. It doesn’t provide any extra load to the engine.

    • AernaLingus [any]@hexbear.net
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      2 months ago

      For some reason I thought that Daytime Running Lights were required in the US, but apparently they’re not (they should be!). I feel like most newer cars I see have them, but I can’t say I’ve been taking a careful inventory.

      • Euergetes [none/use name]@hexbear.net
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        2 months ago

        even on cars that have them, it can be a setting rather than what automatically happens. one car i drove had a normal daytime setting but i thought it was the highbeams since an even lower ‘running light’ existed.

        there is no reason for normal people to have the option to turn them off, a film crew or photographer can get technical and under the hood if they need to