More light adventures

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
03/06/2019 at 18:20 • Filed to: None

I’ve tried not to inflict more boring stories of chasing people with failed brake/tail lights, but today saw an odd coincidence , so what the heck. You’re always free to ignore these, and I’ve been quiet for a while, so deal with it.

( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

First, a sad statistic: of the last five vehicles I’ve seen with no brake lights at all, I was only able to notify one of them. It’ll be easier when it’s warmer and my Jeep is naked (and people are more prone to drive with windows down) but it’s increasingly tempting to put a PA system back in.

Today I had a personal first. And then a second such first.

I ran into McD’s this morning (bacon & egg bagel is a great way to start a day) and as I was leaving with my food, I noticed a woman with both main brake lights out (CHMSL was fine) about to give her order. So, I scurried through the line of cars waiting for drive-through and gave her a heads up.

I rarely get the opportunity to let people know about this while on foot, and it’s nice to have a captive audience. Win!

Well, this evening I decided I hadn’t had a burger from there in a while, and their fries are always tempting (can you tell I’m a healthy eater?) so I went to a different location. As I pulled into my parking spot, I did a quick scan of drive-through, and sure enough there was a different car with both main brake lights out, and I ran over to let him know. ( Again, CHMSL was fine, no running lights on, which is the ideal for me to verify their brake lights are out.)

Anyway, just a reminder: people really usually don’t know. Be alert. Be kind.

DISCUSSION (15)

ttyymmnn > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 18:44

I’m more of a McD steak and egg bagel man myself.

Also, CHMSL?

Just Jeepin' > ttyymmnn
03/06/2019 at 18:51

The 3rd brake light. Only known as CHMSL by brake light nerds like me.

Center high mount stop lamp.

(Actually, I had no idea that was the proper name , but someone used the acronym in the comments on an earlier post.)

ttyymmnn > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 18:52

Neat. I never knew it had an official name. Learn something new every day.

So, are you also a fan of amber turn signals?

Just Jeepin' > ttyymmnn
03/06/2019 at 19:00

From a safety perspective, there’s absolutely no question. Using the same indicator for running light, brake light, and turn signal makes my hobby more challenging.

E.g.: I see a car at a stoplight, and they have one turn signal going, no brake lights. Are they not using the brakes? Possible. Is the turn signal the only brake light that actually would work? Possible.

I remember letting someone know they only had one functional brake light, and then later realizing it’s possible they had two, but their turn signal made it so only one was active at the time.

I understand why designers might not like them, and most lighting clusters with them have a bit of a “it’s a minivan, it doesn’t have to look svelte” vibe, but I can live with that.

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 19:01

I’m thinking your ideal Secret Senna gift would be a custom made “your brake lights are out” lighted sign to keep in your car.

Just Jeepin' > Chariotoflove
03/06/2019 at 19:09

I’ve given a fair bit of thought to keeping signage with me, but the open Jeep experience during the summer is not conducive to anything light enough to whip out at a moment’s notice.

During the winter I could pull it off, but it’s still depressingly hard to get people’s attention.

Speaking of... I thought today as I passed a moron on the interstate staring at his cell phone that I should consider an air horn that sounded a little like a police siren to spook idiots like that ...except of course I’d wager that’s illegal.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 19:12

If I ever tell people thier brakes light is out I usually follow it with something like ‘i thought you’d rather heR it from me than a cop’

Chariotoflove > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 19:15

It’s a guilty pleasure to fantasize about, but you wouldn’t really want to risk causing an accident anyway.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 19:36

I think this is actually great. Unless you back up to a mirror how would you know if you had a brake lamp failure? Some of these people may be facing traffic citations too if not informed.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 19:55

Meanwhile, tonight, I was tailgated and very nearly rear-ended by an asshole who had no working headlights.

No, I don’t mean they didn’t turn their headlights on. Their fog lights were on. Meaning, the headlights were on. Meaning, they weren’t working. And this person was aware of it, hence, attempting to use their shitty fog lights as a replacement.

Just Jeepin' > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
03/06/2019 at 20:03

I’m starting to think some people may be deliberately disabling their headlights in favor of fog lights. I’ve seen that look occasionally.

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2019 at 20:07

By far most are surprised. Occasionally I’ll run into someone who already knows, but it’s rare.

I have a monthly reminder scheduled via my gas/service tracking app to find a tall glass window to check mine.

Someone here reported using something heavy to hold the brake pedal down, but this way I can check all of my lights including reverse (something else I’ve had to warn a fair number of people about).

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Just Jeepin'
03/06/2019 at 20:30

I have seen some assholes who do that. My immediate instinct is to smash their fog lights in with a fucking hammer, followed by their skulls.

But in this case, the fog lights were quite literally about as bright as incandescent flashlights. I’m not sure they WEREN’T flashlights.

Meanwhile, I’m over here in “stop fucking arguing with me” land, trying to figure out how to make the FCM understand ‘GIVE ME FOGS WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE, SHOCKER, IT’S TOO BRIGHT FOR SENTRY TO TRIGGER AND TOO FOGGY FOR HEADLIGHTS YOU STUPID MOTHERFUCKERS!’

MattHurting > Just Jeepin'
03/07/2019 at 13:06

Since you’re a light guy; what are your thoughts on new cars having a headlight go out if the turn signal is on (on the same side)? I get that it does make it more noticeable, but also less light to see is weird to me.

And don’t get me started on how bright headlights are these days.

Just Jeepin' > MattHurting
03/07/2019 at 13:38

That’s a federal requirement for DRLs. Importantly, that only happens with DRLs, not when the headlights are on.

I haven’t looked up the requirement, but it has something to do with distance between the signal and the DRL. Too close and the DRL has to turn off.