Originally Posted by
St3V3_C
The Highway code
- ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
- use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
- use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).
So, headlights not required at night, in built up areas. Let alone just a little overcast. Pisses me of people turning full headlights on as soon as the level of light drops slightly below "surface of the sun" level.
It's actually dangerous because on bumpy roads it can look to someone joining that they're being flashed out. I think because the contrast between the ambient light and the headlight is smaller that bit looking directly at the bulb stands out more and looks like a flash. When it's actually dark it doesn't stand out so much.
Are you sure you were looking at the 2018 highway Code? If that is correct its about time the rules were updated!! So let's all start driving around with no lights on at night in built up area's regardless of how poor the street lighting is!!! Sounds like a safe idea!!! Why not try it the next time you are being followed by a Police car? Are you one of the drivers that don't switch their lights on at night until it's pitch black?