Continental motoring

[VolvoFan]

When driving in France last month in my S40, I was flashed several times by oncoming drivers, in the day time. The S40 has daytime running headlights (dipped beam) so this might have annoyed French drivers. However since then I have heard that it is illegal to drive with headlamps on during the daytime in France & Germany. Can somebody corroborate this assertion? I don't want to be arrested next time I'm driving on the continent. Thanks.

I had the same problem with my S60. I solved this by turning the headlight switch to parking (sidelights) only. The only problem this creates is that you forget to switch them off and there is no warning. I am not sure what the legislation is, but I believe there is new EU wide legislation coming into force shortly (next year?) which will have all new cars running with headlights on. When this happens Volvo will not be the odd man out.

Brian Ingle

[sheerwater]

Hi,
Dont think that it is illegal and Ive never been stopped by police for this despite travelling abroat 6-8 times a year. The reason drivers abroad flash you is because you have to illuminate through tunnels and a lot of drivers forget to switch off especially after long ones. I think that the flashes are being polite really. In France however there is the great custom of flashing you if you are approaching a police check. So if you are flashed beware because the gendarmes are pulling cars in. (not that you have anything to worry about of course !!!) Ive been pulled a few times because of UK plates and asked for all documents relating to the car including registration, mot, insurance,passport,driving license and anything else they could think about. Just as well I had them as they began looking for the red warning triangle, fire extinguisher and spare bulbs. Beware on the peage just before Calais as this is where they pick off the English. I was doing about 85 and being overtaken by all and sundry all going like a bat out of hell. I was being followed by another Volvo also driving sensibly. A motorbike cop was hidden behind a bridge and picked off the Volvo following me. Cheers Nige

DRL made compulsory throughout Europe? Bloody hell, I'll have to move to New Zealand or something. DRL are stupid, and no point debating this. I realise that I am in the minority here.

George

Anglo-Swede resident near Leuven in Belgium

'87 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler (D24TIC/ZF22, 200k)
'88 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230ET/M46, 270k)
'88 745 GL (B200E/M47, 200k)
'89 440 GL (B18K/M55, 90k)

Hey Guys,

The problem is that on the continent we're driving on the wrong side of the road. On the continent mainbeam light are alligned is such a way that the LH light targets the hard shoulder at a 20 m distance from the vehicle.
Suppose that in the UK it's the other way around. This means that UK cars drive on the Continent without any adjusting of their mainbeam light put all traffic on the other side of the road in the spotlight and that's is quite annoying to say the least ;)

levensnevel

a smile every mile

Driving without headlight adjusters is not just annoying when driving on the wrong side of the road, it's illegal. I have to spend 11 euros everytime I take a trip to the UK as the converters are use and throw away.

Stu

[migrator]

Stu,

Even Halfords can supply stick-on beam deflectors for less than that!!

These are from Halford (Dutch halfords that is)

Stu

I pressume that DRL is something to do with having the lights on all the time? I've never heard of this acronym before - what does DRL stand for?

Cheers
Dominic.

Daylight Running Lights

Stu