Topic: Had a moron pulled over on the 407ETR

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

Tonight I was going eastbound on the ETR when a 2009 Honda Accord 4 door was in the furthest right lane driving with only DRL's (no low beams and no tail lights), I high beamed him and then I honked at him. Nothing. I called *OPP and reported the vehicle was driving without any lights on and within 5 minutes the OPP pulled him over.

Hopefully he didn't get a ticket... but for goodness sakes people, how hard is it to turn your headlights on? This was a clear night and pitch black. Not difficult to understand to turn the low beams on. He could've caused a collision.


I swear, people in the GTA are getting dumber and dumber.

[TopGun]

I think the 2009 accords still have those luminescent instruments...similar ones in the RX-8.  It's tougher to know that the lights are "on" vs the other instruments that are dark at night.

[Marko]

Yes, Honda and Acura gauges are lit up even with the lights off so it's easy to forget, especially if you don't drive often at night.

Personally I think those always-lit gauges should be considered a safety hazard.

[Guy]

I see a lot of Toyota drivers doing the same.

[EV Dan]

I swear, people in the GTA are getting dumber and dumber.

Well, duh! How was he supposed to understand you blinding him with high beams and honking? I think you should have called a cruiser for yourself as well 

[2JDM]

I'd be kinda freaked out if someone was following me, honking and high beaming.

Yeah I have some dumb friends, who drive with only DRL's...because their gauges are automatically lit up. I don't understand why...DRL output is really weak when its dark out. Its more obvious on cars with HIDs though.

[mmret]

Could be worse. I once followed a guy with no brake-lamps at all. Was during the day so I did not notice. Having him slow from 120 to zero without any lamps was quite irritating.

[21Rouge]

I called *OPP and reported the vehicle.......and within 5 minutes the OPP pulled him over.

I would imagine you didn't use 911 so I am just wondering what # you did call to bring the OPP running ?

[quadzilla]

I would imagine you didn't use 911 so I am just wondering what # you did call to bring the OPP running ?

I think you can call *OPP from a cell phone for things like that.

I swear, people in the GTA are getting dumber and dumber.

Not just the GTA, everywhere.

DRL output is really weak when its dark out. Its more obvious on cars with HIDs though.

Some of the highways inside the city are just as bright as city streets. I can easily see (pun intended) how this could happen.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

mmret  - Called *OPP (*677).

2hondas1BMW - I wasn't trying to freak him honking as in blaring it, just a *toot toot* and 2 quick flashes, not leaving high beam on him.

[wing]

I've often high beamed cars with no taillights / no headlights I have not had one understand what I am doing as they are clueless to begin with.

[Mike]

I am seeing this a lot on the 407 these days.  I too blame the automatic illuminating gauge pods.  Had it in my RX-8 and have it on my Subie and it has almost caused me to drive away without lights before.

My technique is drive in front of them, then turn off my lights 3 or 4 times.  This usually does the trick.

[aquadorhj]

I am seeing this a lot on the 407 these days.  I too blame the automatic illuminating gauge pods.  Had it in my RX-8 and have it on my Subie and it has almost caused me to drive away without lights before.

My technique is drive in front of them, then turn off my lights 3 or 4 times.  This usually does the trick.

i've seen this technique couple of times, and at the time, i thought it was smart, because it's not very intrusive but very clear sign as long as the offending driver is paying attention to the surrounding.  (and also can be done either from infront or back of the offending driver.)

myself, i flash them with high beam.   so far, the success rate is close to nil.  i think it's the water that makes people stupid.

this is why I think GM(also most latest Toyota) is on the right track with automatic headlight on most of its vehicles.   i'm usually FOR the driver control of everything, but sometimes, it's worth the loss of control for the net benefit to our safety.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

I believe that's also the problem regarding dash lights that come on when the car starts (father's 2005 Honda Civic does it).

I believe all GM's (minus the Pontiac Wave/Chevrolet Aveo) have automatic headlights. My own car doesn't have an "off" position, what would be "off" is "Auto" which is automatic headlights.

"it's worth the loss of control for the net benefit to our safety."

 

[bridgecity]

Call me a moron I guess, but I've done this before  .  People make mistakes.  Of course, it was in my Tundra near the time I purchased it, whos gauges are illuminated at all times.  This is the first vehicle that I've owned that does this.

The gauges in my '05 Civic that I sold this year weren't automatically illuminated.  Must be a difference between trim levels. 

[tenpenny]

Personally, I like the Subaru system:  just turn the lights to 'ON', then when you the car is running, the lights are on; when the car is not running, the lights are off.

[ArticSteve]

Hopefully he didn't get a ticket...

Of course they got a ticket. Those GTA 400 series patrol OPP are on a major quota system.  Worse you made an insurance company a little richer for the next three years. 

When East Germany fell apart and joined West Germany it was discovered and confirmed that 1 out of 5 East Germans were officially registered as informants with the State Security Service.

Resist the temptation to be an informant unless it's absolutely necessary to f*ck a stranger over.

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

"My technique is drive in front of them, then turn off my lights 3 or 4 times.  This usually does the trick" - Won't happen with my car, it has automatic headlights and they will not turn off unless the car is in park and the engine shuts off. Sounds like a good idea though.

Articsteve- Wasn't being a "snitch", just concerned that he may have a collision because either he can't see what's ahead or someone may ram him from the rear because they didn't see him.

[safristi]

 ...I DRINK STASI LITE........................ ....cos Harper does too....

[Mike]

"My technique is drive in front of them, then turn off my lights 3 or 4 times.  This usually does the trick" - Won't happen with my car, it has automatic headlights and they will not turn off unless the car is in park and the engine shuts off. Sounds like a good idea though.

Articsteve- Wasn't being a "snitch", just concerned that he may have a collision because either he can't see what's ahead or someone may ram him from the rear because they didn't see him.

Yeah, that reminds me of my Camaro days