headlamps in france Forums

CJSinn

I'm sure it's been mentioned before, so apologies before we start.

Were off to France soon and I've heard that sorting headlamp beam deflectors can be a bit of a pain on the new series Ducatos - how does everyone sort it out? Is it worth risking the long arm of the french law by not doing anything, as I doubt we'll be driving in the dark (I intend to be either drinking wine or asleep during moonlight hours!).

Thanks in advance.

Chris

PJKRacing

I actually bought mine on the Seafrance ferry and they worked a treat on the new Fiat cost was about £5, I have seen similar in Halfrauds.

Pete

Anonymous

[quote:dab97fa5e2="CJSinn"]Is it worth risking the long arm of the french law by not doing anything, [/quote:dab97fa5e2]

No definately not, it just gives them another reason to stop you. If they stop you for anything else it gives them something else to throw at you.

You might not plan to drive at night but you might need to. Also you will of course need to put on your lights in poor visability, rain or even fog.

False economy not to do something. Embarassed

twooks

[quote:e18f46f128="Maverick"][quote:e18f46f128="CJSinn"]Is it worth risking the long arm of the french law by not doing anything, [/quote:e18f46f128]

No definately not, it just gives them another reason to stop you. If they stop you for anything else it gives them something else to throw at you.

You might not plan to drive at night but you might need to. Also you will of course need to put on your lights in poor visability, rain or even fog.

False economy not to do something. Embarassed

[/quote:e18f46f128]

also need them in tunnels - depends where you're going of course!
and you can't really say that you'll never drive in hours of darkness only that you don't plan to - and we all know what Murphy said ! Razz

for a fiver for 'universal fittings' it's not worth the risk

Cool

PJKRacing

What is great about this site, is that people pass on experience maybe without realising it. A couple of years ago I would have said "I will not be driving in the dark"

I now know better having once having to drive across Spain to catch the last ferry of the season from Santander in practical darkness due to bad weather conditions slowing our journey time and decreasing the available daylight hours.

We have been racing cars successfully for more years than I care to remember, one of the things a mentor taught me during my apprenticeship/college days, that if when you are working on something, say rebuilding an engine, and you think should I replace that or not? It means you have a doubt or suspect something may not be quite right; therefore you should investigate it further or just replace it. Sods law dictates that part will be the first to break when you least want it to if you do not.

Add that to the motorsport saying “to finish first, first you must finish"

I would always take steps to comply with rules when in another country, if the police held me up during our travels I might not even make the start never mind the finish.

Headlight deflectors will help you as well as other road users.

CJSinn

Just an update.

I'd always intended to use beam deflectors, but it was the possible problems I'd read about with the clear style of lens on the new Ducatto that had lead to my enquiry. But I popped into Halfords over the weekend and they carry a style of deflector which can be used on all the latest headlamps whether they be clear round or whatever Smile

. For 6 quid I'd agree it's not worth the risk of not doing it.

Thanks for the input!