Also a classic example of someone not adequately marking or illuminating the hazard presented by whatever they're towing. It looks like he was lit up well in front but only gets the back end lit at the last second. Was the tractor broken down or otherwise disabled? Should've had flares out or flashers operating.
The other side of the coin is that when you're driving in farm country,you HAVE to know that there is a lot of farm machinery that simply does not fit well on roads but that they're out there moving from field to field anyway. Those front lights on the tractor are different enough to call out that the driver was approaching something other than a car or truck, so he should have been slowing down.
At least modern vehicles come with half way decent headlights as standard. I'm old enough to have ridden motorbikes with 6V headlights and cars with 7" sealed beams. Sealed beams were basically a giant lightbulb in the shape of a headlight unit, the whole thing in one piece. If you got a stone chip you lost both dip and main beam. My understanding was that they were actually an improvement over what was available before. The company that made lights for the majority of British motorbikes and cars was Joseph Lucas, often referred to as Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness.
That happened in western kansas years ago. I think it was late 70s. The farm implement decapated the driver of a passing car. Not sure what it is about farmers that they think traffic laws regarding lighting does not apply to them.
Since modern politics are going completely to shit, modern technology is something that we take for granted but should be far more happy about. As a music lover I find Spotify to be totally brilliant, especially the way my phone, car radio, and wristwatch all work together. The rechargeable LED lights on my pushbike are better than the lights that we had back in the old days.
About fifteen years ago I was coming south out of Council Bluffs when I saw a four wheeler in the median. Puzzling I look for a moment wondering how it got there. As I focused my attention back on the road, I found out. A pickup was impaled on the rear end of a flatbed 18 wheeler. Zero lights on anything. I avoided it, then positioned my vehicle to alert other drivers. The pickup driver may have fallen asleep. He was alive, conscious, and bleeding profusely. The trucker dragged him for a considerable distance, maybe 3/4 of a mile. Even with me sitting there with my flashers on, the first responders blew by us then had to circle back. Yup, they too got distracted by the 4 wheeler in the median. I got numerous calls from the liars on that one. The truck was completely black when I arrived. The pickup driver claimed it was black when they collided. In any case, the pickup electric failed in the crash. His battery was destroyed, so he wasn't lit up either.
Two word: Driving lamps. Years ago I had a car that was faster than necessary and speeding at night attracted less attention from the authorities. I had a set of Cibie Iode 95s on the car; they would light up reflective signs over a mile away. Of course, hill crests and curves negate them so slowing down for them was wise but I could easily see road hazards in plenty of time. Critter eyes would show up nicely too. I wish I had a set now and could easily adapt them to my modern bumperless car.
That was a nightmare. Good God.
ReplyDeletelucky mofo.
ReplyDeleteWell did they duck in time?
ReplyDeleteRule #1 for night driving: Never OverDrive your headlights.
ReplyDeleteGood plan mate.
DeleteClassic example of driving faster than ones headlamps.
ReplyDeleteAlso a classic example of someone not adequately marking or illuminating the hazard presented by whatever they're towing. It looks like he was lit up well in front but only gets the back end lit at the last second. Was the tractor broken down or otherwise disabled? Should've had flares out or flashers operating.
ReplyDeleteThe other side of the coin is that when you're driving in farm country,you HAVE to know that there is a lot of farm machinery that simply does not fit well on roads but that they're out there moving from field to field anyway. Those front lights on the tractor are different enough to call out that the driver was approaching something other than a car or truck, so he should have been slowing down.
The boom should have had operational flashers, they'll pay out for that numbskullery.
ReplyDeleteAt least modern vehicles come with half way decent headlights as standard. I'm old enough to have ridden motorbikes with 6V headlights and cars with 7" sealed beams. Sealed beams were basically a giant lightbulb in the shape of a headlight unit, the whole thing in one piece. If you got a stone chip you lost both dip and main beam. My understanding was that they were actually an improvement over what was available before. The company that made lights for the majority of British motorbikes and cars was Joseph Lucas, often referred to as Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness.
ReplyDeleteGod, I remember Lucas electrics on British bikes.
Delete...and Lucas Electrics in British sport cars
DeleteAlein
And why do Englishmen drink warm beer?...Lucas fridges
DeleteI owned a BSA 650 twin for a short time, the electrical system on it was total junk..... Motor was badass though
Deletebut how many of you have a scar from a zener diode
DeleteHad a 65 VW with 6volt system. Good thing the car wasn’t fast.
ReplyDeletePaul J
That happened in western kansas years ago. I think it was late 70s. The farm implement decapated the driver of a passing car. Not sure what it is about farmers that they think traffic laws regarding lighting does not apply to them.
ReplyDeleteSince modern politics are going completely to shit, modern technology is something that we take for granted but should be far more happy about. As a music lover I find Spotify to be totally brilliant, especially the way my phone, car radio, and wristwatch all work together. The rechargeable LED lights on my pushbike are better than the lights that we had back in the old days.
ReplyDeleteKansas Nebraska reality.
ReplyDeleteAbout fifteen years ago I was coming south out of Council Bluffs when I saw a four wheeler in the median.
ReplyDeletePuzzling I look for a moment wondering how it got there. As I focused my attention back on the road, I found out. A pickup was impaled on the rear end of a flatbed 18 wheeler. Zero lights on anything. I avoided it, then positioned my vehicle to alert other drivers. The pickup driver may have fallen asleep. He was alive, conscious, and bleeding profusely. The trucker dragged him for a considerable distance, maybe 3/4 of a mile.
Even with me sitting there with my flashers on, the first responders blew by us then had to circle back. Yup, they too got distracted by the 4 wheeler in the median.
I got numerous calls from the liars on that one. The truck was completely black when I arrived. The pickup driver claimed it was black when they collided. In any case, the pickup electric failed in the crash. His battery was destroyed, so he wasn't lit up either.
Flares. Loooots of flares. I carry many as I drive over the Cascades from Seattle to the Lower Yakima Valley on daaark mountain roads often.
DeleteTwo word: Driving lamps. Years ago I had a car that was faster than necessary and speeding at night attracted less attention from the authorities. I had a set of Cibie Iode 95s on the car; they would light up reflective signs over a mile away. Of course, hill crests and curves negate them so slowing down for them was wise but I could easily see road hazards in plenty of time. Critter eyes would show up nicely too. I wish I had a set now and could easily adapt them to my modern bumperless car.
ReplyDelete