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Saving Gas (And My Sanity)
Sep. 30th, 2010 09:51 amThe US could save hundreds of barrels of oil a year if people would just turn off their headlights when there's enough ambient light.
Frankly, I'm baffled as to why they put them *on* in broad daylight. This not only wastes gas, in certain circumstances it can actually make the car less visible. As Jasper Maskelyne demonstrated in WWII, when he made a tank on a hill against a bright horizon disappear by putting lights on it, when something is silhouetted against a lit background, adding lights makes it blend in.
So, please, folks, think. (Actually, that's a reasonable plea for far more situations than this.)
Now, I realize this doesn't apply to motorcycles. They're small enough and the structure open enough not to make much of a silhouette. They also need every advantage they can get to make themselves more noticeable to other drivers. However, for cars and larger it is useful advice.
Frankly, I'm baffled as to why they put them *on* in broad daylight. This not only wastes gas, in certain circumstances it can actually make the car less visible. As Jasper Maskelyne demonstrated in WWII, when he made a tank on a hill against a bright horizon disappear by putting lights on it, when something is silhouetted against a lit background, adding lights makes it blend in.
So, please, folks, think. (Actually, that's a reasonable plea for far more situations than this.)
Now, I realize this doesn't apply to motorcycles. They're small enough and the structure open enough not to make much of a silhouette. They also need every advantage they can get to make themselves more noticeable to other drivers. However, for cars and larger it is useful advice.
