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Automatic Headlights On

Turn them BACK on
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In order for me to get to work, I have to drive through a security checkpoint. Upon approaching the checkpoint, it is customary to turn off your headlights so as not to blind the security officer. When you pull away from the checkpoint, you turn your headlights back on.

At night, no problem; during the day, not very important. Here's where my idea comes in: around sun up, or dusk.

I see many drivers coming from the checkpoint with their headlights off, and their parking lights on, when they probably should have their headlights on.

This is the idea: a switch, separate from the regular headlight switch, that turns off the headlights, until the vehicle reaches some threshold speed, say 20 mph.

When the driver slows below the threshold and approaches the checkpoint, they press the button, then forget about it. As they speed up and away, the lights come back on.

swamilad, Feb 05 2004

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       I can't help feeling the logical extension of this idea is a new switch on the dashboard for every possible driving scenario
hippo, Feb 06 2024
  

       Shirley the vehicle's computer will know when it has moved about 50 feet without the headlights being turned back on and kill the ignition, you know, for safety. The idiot driver will realize that it's the third time this week, restart the car and vow to become a more attentive motorist. Or not.
whatrock, Feb 06 2024
  

       [whatrock] that's fine to kill the ignition, but what if your car is difficult or impossible to restart? You might end up waiting another 20 years for the roadside assistance truck to arrive.
pocmloc, Feb 07 2024
  

       //switch on the dashboard for every possible driving scenario//   

       Implement each such switch in software as a bitwise flag, and declare FSD.
pertinax, Feb 07 2024
  

       [pocmloc] with what I've seen lately in lack of proper maintenance, or any maintenance at all, this is a serious concern.
whatrock, Feb 07 2024
  

       The computer might instead stab the brakes or blare the radio, embarrassing but not particularly vehicularly fatal punishments.
whatrock, Feb 07 2024
  

       Try as you might to accommodate to traffic rules and etiquette, all this will soon be taken out of our hands by AI traffic controllers that have seized control of your vehicle. Lights? Don’t worry about the lights. The checkpoint will run your car until you are well on your way on the other side. Maybe all the way home.
minoradjustments, Feb 07 2024
  
      
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