Ok, thanks. Good point about the fog line, it is a position on the outside of the lane where its maybe hidden. As for speeders, They can have it.


The questions are maybe selfish, but when I had the pickup truck, I felt like other drivers could see it. I now have a 1974 Dodge Dart. It's not tiny as 4-wheelers go but it's a lot smaller than a crown vic or chevy caprice. The next size down I guess.

I feel like I'm not well seen, even by other cars. I'm OK with whatever crashworthiness it has or doesn't have (It also has no computer or emissions and gets inspected for $13). It has none of whatever safety and visibility features a new car has. The idea as always is to stay out of a wreck, whether with a Smarte car or an 18 wheeler. I'm more worried about getting bumped by other 4-wheelers really.

The reason for asking here is that in my short 19K highway miles of experience with trucks like the 5-ton in my avatar, the visibility to "always" see 4-wheelers to the rear and rear sides has never been as good as in a 4-wheeler. So I'm asking on this board where the demand for experience and care is greatest.

Maybe modern cars don't have any special visibility features except daytime running lights.

The Dart is so simple electrically that I can add a running light circuit that will use existing lights and activate whenever the engine is running. Or I could add a couple low wattage lights instead of using the headlights. It's an open question at this point.

I have read complaints here about car headlights from behind being annoying to truck drivers in some cases. I think my goal is to add a sensible set of running lights up front that will show others where I am without blinding anyone in their side mirror, etc.

Any reports of "bright lights" being a nuisance for truckers are the rare headlight(s) that are damaged or incorrectly adjusted, or the vehicle is overloaded and the light is shining upwards "out of spec", and following for a long period, at night. Yes, sometimes a "small, gray" car can be "missed" in daylight, but especially in the dusk/dawn periods on a quick cursory glance with the right pavement coloring or background, much like white vehicles in fresh snow. And as such, DRL's or headlights help to alleviate this issue.

I agree with the headlights being on. If you drive a Viper, Ill NOTICE you in a heartbeat!!! If you drive a subcompact toy... Dont cut me off, or go anywhere near me. Cause I cant see you worth anything.

Originally Posted by STexan

Yes, sometimes a "small, gray" car can be "missed" in daylight, but especially in the dusk/dawn periods on a quick cursory glance with the right pavement coloring or background, much like white vehicles in fresh snow. And as such, DRL's or headlights help to alleviate this issue.

Just what I was afraid of when I traded my silver Chevy in for a white Ford...Could I get something to put on the antenna to make it more visible in winter?

Originally Posted by STexan

No, that wouldn't be visible. Headlights or DRL's will suffice when there's snow on the ground. Just don't forget to check your headlights every few days after those REALLY COLD days when you turn them on. The instant heating when the temps are below about 20 degrees F tends to take a toll on them, especially the older style bulbs/headlights.

What about colored headlights?