"Too many vehicle drivers are failing to switch on their headlights"

Most people will welcome the lengthening of daylight hours beyond January, largely with regards to their general wellbeing and the benefits from nature’s fresh offers.

As a regular car driver and cyclist in both daily twilight periods, I have another reason.

In very faded light, too many vehicle drivers are failing to switch on their headlights that would reduce accident risks at the most dangerous time(s) of the day, especially when there is heavy cloud or rainfall.

Clearly some drivers just attain knowledge of the Highway Code (with little comprehension), just to pass their tests.

Some drivers, I feel, think that headlights are to just help them see better but not to greatly help them be seen.

Duty of care is for themselves and not others.

I have a theory that relates to the old lighting-up times but more so the street lights, or to be more accurate the times the lights came on and went off.

My observations in districts five and six are that the new street lights switch on later and off earlier.

This means that street lights are off for at least half an hour longer in both twilight periods (late pm and early am).

My point is that some drivers are influenced by highway illuminating times and that the numbers of unlit vehicles are significantly higher than when the old lights were operating.

Only modern, newer, vehicles will resolve this.

In the meantime, what does continue to shock me is the number of commercial vehicles moving without lights during twilight hours.

Bus drivers and motorcyclists lead by good example.

It’s the pedal cyclists that should have a duty of care, mainly for themselves and their families.

A case of look before you leap.