Do you drive with your headlights on/up during the day?

[WASABI]

OK, I need to hear some other Miata driver's thoughts on this matter.

My wife has asked me on a number of occasions, to put my headlights on/up while I drive on the highway so I am more visible to other traffic. She feels the dark green car is harder to see as well.
I tell her that my driving lights are on, and that I don't like the looks of the barn doors being up when it's a beautiful sunny day (I do use my headlights in the daytime when it rains, or is foggy).

So, the question... What lengths do you take while driving the Miata to be safe, and where do you draw the line?

[★ revlimiter ★]

Stripes.

Seriously. I like the stripes and couldn't imagine getting rid of them after 12 years, but I added the stripes for visibility. The car is nearly the color of the pavement without them. Adding some contrast makes it at least visible. And it's often pretty obvious when someone suddenly notices there's a car coming at them and they shouldn't pull out into the intersection.

But yeah, I too drive with lights on when it's rainy or very cloudy.

If I'm on the freeway on a long distance drive and it "feels" like no one is paying attention, I'll drive with the brights on. Seems to help.

[Jeffbucc]

You can get ticketed in certain areas of Nevada and Idaho for not driving with your lights on. I feel really sorry for the people Rev is brighting. I accidently walked in front of my Moss Lopros with the brights on and it was like looking at the sun!

I think the problem is that no matter how safe you try to be by making yourself stand out, someone is always not paying attention. I'll use motorcycles as an example. You can make yourself brighter than a reflective banana, but you can still get hit.

When I drive in the city or on busy highway stretches, I tend to always leave 2-4 car lengths between me and the car in front of me. Also always checking my mirrors in case someone is riding my tail to closely, and always looking ahead to intersection coming up/parking lot exit, to see if someone is going to pull into my lane suddenly. I'd much rather be the one paying attention to my surroundings, than rely on someone I don't know, and may have questionable acuity.

Sadly, I don't have the problem of blending into the environment. I unintentionally made it so that my car screams, "LOOK AT ME".

Laguna Seca Blue is one loud LOUD blue.

[BengtKardell]

In Sweden we have a law thats say you MUST have your lights on all the time, even during daylight.
All cars sold in Sweden have automatic day-light-running lights.
And as for motorcycles, for a few years ago, most motorcycles-driver use a safety vest for visibility.

[theothersawyer]

I don't drive with my lights on, but that might explain why I get cut off all of the time! Last time I checked red is a bright color! I do have a loud horn though! People always honk back in rage after I honk at them for cutting me off. I don't get it!

[KAL]

Lights always on, no reason not to.

[theothersawyer]

I always feel like having the big barn doors up kills gas mileage, but I can't imagine it's very significant.

[Hyper]

ha ha I drive with the Halos on, everybody chase me....

[— fwdtamiya —]

I always feel like having the big barn doors up kills gas mileage, but I can't imagine it's very significant.

+1

They're off during the day. In parking structures I flip on my parking lights.

[JLBMX5]

I have the jass low profile headlights and for the first couple of days I would turn them on during the day but now they stay down unless its dark outside.

[JamieH]

At most I will turn the running lights on if it's starting to get dark or what have you. If it's raining, I will turn them on. It's NC State law for your headlights to be on if you're having to use your wipers. regardless of the time of day.

[maharaj]

With my headlights up I feel like this:

[91BRG]

Yes certainly do. Why? Well, because the view from drivers seat is cool, seeing those 2 popups on the corners of your car. Also, the miata from front looks like it's saying 'hey come n play!' - such a friendly look.... oh and safety.

[riefdaddy]

No headlights. I only put them up during periods of reduced visibility - as the law requires in Virginia. I will say I don't drive on the interstate too much. The main reason is I find no pleasure in driving in heavy traffic. It may take me an extra 10-15 minutes going on a state highway, but they are more fun as you have things to see and the roads have curves. I do run with my driving lights on, but not always.

[Slampen]

Main reason for using headlights during the day is not for visibility, but to be seen.

For me that is very importent when driving a small car as the Miata/mx5.