car driving with headlights off illegal?

Forums › Off topic › car driving with headlights off illegal?

richgamer

224 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#32062 9-Apr-2009 23:58

If you choose to drive your car with your headlights off at midnight when it's dark, is that illegal? I think there is a law that makes it illegal to drive with your headlights on full beam, but that's all i remember.

honem

194 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#206276 10-Apr-2009 00:18

Is this a serious question ?

Check your road code

*picks one up from desk*

It says its illegal to drive at night with your headlights off.

See I'll type it out for you :

When to use your headlights

You must turn on your vehicle's headlight :

From 30 minutes after sunset , untill 30 minutes before sunrise

At any other tie when you can't see a person or vehicle 100 meteres away

anytime they use the language "You must" in the road code pretty much means its illegal not to do what it says

It also has stuff on there about "you must dip your vheicles headlight" for oncoiming vehicles , parking , following or when a police officer is directirng traffic.

EDIT I seem to be having trouble editing my replies. I make style changes yet they don't stick ?????

==================================
- Hone , Often accused of Excess Verbosity
==================================

corksta

2397 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#206278 10-Apr-2009 00:33

If you're dumb enough to ask that question you shouldn't be holding a driver's licence.

euanandrews

1528 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#206282 10-Apr-2009 01:09

I'm guessing you want to drive with your headlights off, so you can try to avoid detection and being questioned by the police eh? (naturally assuming this thread is related somewhat to your previous thread's question)

Of course, driving without your headlights on, is not only dangerous and foolhardy, but will definaltely attract the attention of the police...and rightly so.

Fraktul

836 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#206286 10-Apr-2009 02:33

richgamer: If you choose to drive your car with your headlights off at midnight when it's dark, is that illegal? I think there is a law that makes it illegal to drive with your headlights on full beam, but that's all i remember.

In your instance... as long as you're driving down an unpopulated strech of road then I'm pro choice.

wmoore

510 posts

Ultimate Geek

#206288 10-Apr-2009 04:45

Fraktul:
richgamer: If you choose to drive your car with your headlights off at midnight when it's dark, is that illegal? I think there is a law that makes it illegal to drive with your headlights on full beam, but that's all i remember.

In your instance... as long as you're driving down an unpopulated strech of road then I'm pro choice.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79263 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#206291 10-Apr-2009 06:46

I will post links here, because Google is your friend, lock the discussion, and then ban richgamer. He was warned before.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/night-driving.html:

You must turn on your vehicle's headlights:

from 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise

at any other time when you can't clearly see a person or vehicle 100 metres away.

Never drive with just the park lights on during these times.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/driving-skill-syllabus/lesson-29.html:

Aim

To safely and legally drive in conditions of poor visibility, including at night and in adverse weather driving conditions.

Situation

In a 50 km/h zone with the following conditions, where available:
1. at night
2. in rain
3. in fog
4. in sunstrike/glare.

The driver should:

At night:
- Make sure the windscreen is clean.
- Switch headlights on early when visibility is poor.
- Scan the road 12 seconds ahead (approximately six cars ahead).
- Dip headlights when required.
- Maintain vehicle position to the left of the road.
- Check mirrors and blind spots for hazards.
- Switch the mirror to anti-dazzle mode if required/available.
- Adjust driving to suit the road conditions and take account of reflectors and guide posts.

In rain:
- Make sure the windscreen is clean.
- Turn vehicle headlights on if necessary.
- Turn on windscreen wipers and demisters if required.
- Adjust speed appropriate to conditions and increase following distance to at least four seconds.
- Maintain vehicle position to the left of the road.

In fog:
- Make sure the windscreen is clean.
- Turn vehicle headlights onto dip.
- Turn on windscreen wipers and demisters if required.
- Adjust speed appropriate to conditions and increase following distance to at least four seconds.
- Check mirrors.

In sunstrike/glare:
- Make sure the windscreen is clean.
- Use sun visor or sunglasses.
- Adjust speed appropriate to conditions and increase following distance to at least four seconds.
- Keep to the left of the road, or in the centre of the lane if on a multi-lane road.
- Watch out for other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
- If necessary and safe, pull over to the side of the road and wait until conditions improve.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roadcode/about-driving/tips-for-handling-driving-emergencies.html:

If your headlights do fail while you're driving, you should:

slow down

move off the road gradually and stop somewhere safe

turn your hazard lights on.

rscole86

4973 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#206315 10-Apr-2009 10:52

richgamer: If you choose to drive your car with your headlights off at midnight when it's dark, is that illegal? I think there is a law that makes it illegal to drive with your headlights on full beam, but that's all i remember.

Yes it is illegal.

You would be issued with a $150 infringement notice for doing so.