Its the light wars, as fashionable bling and camp as possible, whether that dictates into clear useful indicators appears to be of no importance just so long as current image requirements are met.

VW started this trend of invisible indicators on Golf and Passat (and some Aldis) around the mid to late noughties, Passat and some A3/A4 rears being virtually useless and Golf fronts just as bad if the headlights were on.

Don't get me started on DRL's, surpassing crass in too many cases.

Fortunately the DRL's on my current lorry can be turned off via the dash menu, that's unusual these days, lorries are going down the fashion/image route just as much as cars.

Edited by gordonbennet on 19/07/2015 at 18:12

"This happens on all models of car with DRLs" - unfortunately, not the case with the new Qashqai: the dazzling LED DRLs make a sharp chevron, and the indicators are quite small and are set into the apex of the chevron. The DRLS do not dim with indicators on, and this lack of contrast makes the indicators difficult to see.
I suspect Type Approval of DRLs takes into account light output etc., but does NOT take into account the location or light output of any adjacent lights, which is why I argue that regulations should be more stringent, e.g.
1. Minimum distance between DRLs and indicators (as with rear foglights and brake lights - 10cms minimum IIRC)
2. Minimum distance between rear indicators and brake lights.
3. DRLs that always dim when indicators are in use and are dimmed or even switched off when headlights are switched on. (Not all current DRL-equipped cars dim for indicators)

The Ford Focus of around 2000 with the tall sloping rear lights up the rear pillar is bad too, as there always seems to be a dazzling reflection concentrated over the indicator part.

Agreed,....and the day I stop noticing flashing lights on the corners of vehicles, white, red, amber or sky blue pink will be the day I hand my license in!

This is indeed quite a problem, esp in daylight, regardless of ones visual acuity.

A triumph of style over substance.

At one particular junction I use several times a day, to go across a bypass, with a left onto the bypass and a right off it, it is neigh impossible to discern if oncoming traffic is turning in left, which is generally ones best opportunity to pull out.

The angle of the junction in respect of sunlight may be an issue, but only marginal.

marcus

He he, This thread has had me nodding all the way through it. Couldn't agree more with most of what's been said, this comment made me laugh in particular as my old boss managed to stuff a brand new sprinter by backing it into a post 'because he couldn't see in the dark'. Even with two revering lamps! :P