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   Technology Connections (techconnectify@mas.to)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:35:52 JST Technology Connections

   Y'all know I like to dump on US automotive lighting regulations. In general, they're poop.

   BUT. There's one thing we require which the rest of the world bafflingly doesn't.

   Side marker lamps!

   I was shocked to learn that my Figaro is absolutely dark from the sides at night (save for its turn signal repeaters). That would not fly here AT ALL. There needs to be an amber light up front and a red light in back to indicate its position and orientation from the side at night.

   • Haelwenn /элвэн/ :triskell: likes this.
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     Technology Connections (techconnectify@mas.to)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:36:55 JST Technology Connections

     in reply to

     • Tryst 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 :ms_asexual_flag: :ms_cat_grin:

     @tryst This has been a US requirement since 1968 - so it sure took 'em a while!

     Haelwenn /элвэн/ :triskell: likes this.
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     Technology Connections (techconnectify@mas.to)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:36:58 JST Technology Connections

     in reply to

     Every car here since forever ago has these and it's a good idea! It adds conspicuity at night and lets you gauge the size of the vehicle from any angle since you know where the front and rear are.

     Imported models often didn't think about this requirement so their side-markers are VERY tacked-on.

     Hyundai didn't exactly forget about it, but I'll nominate the Ioniq 5 as having the tiniest rear side markers of any car because they're adorable.

     But they're there and they work!

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     Tryst 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 :ms_asexual_flag: :ms_cat_grin: (tryst@meow.social)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:36:58 JST Tryst 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 :ms_asexual_flag: :ms_cat_grin:

     in reply to

     @TechConnectify I think Volvo introduced these circa 2005 in the uplift to the C/V/S/XC models. My 2002 XC70 doesn't have them, but 2006 XC70s do. It's a common mod on the older cars to swap the rear light clusters for the newer ones with the side markers.

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     Technology Connections (techconnectify@mas.to)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:39:46 JST Technology Connections

     in reply to

     Adding to this:

     It's not just lights, it's reflectors! The car has to be conspicuous at night from the side even if it is parked.

     (the front reflector is also illuminated when the headlights/parking lights are on)

     Haelwenn /элвэн/ :triskell: likes this.
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     Technology Connections (techconnectify@mas.to)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:41:42 JST Technology Connections

     in reply to

     • Casey Liss

     @caseyliss A lot of car culture seems uniquely predisposed to hating anything that helps other drivers, especially if it makes the car "less sleek" or whatever.

     The "if you can't tell the difference between flashing and solid, get off the road!" cadre in my turn signal video was loud and surprisingly large.

     And this is why my favorite flavor of car culture is weird cars, not fast cars!

     Haelwenn /элвэн/ :triskell: likes this.
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     Casey Liss (caseyliss@mastodon.social)'s status on Monday, 27-Nov-2023 08:41:43 JST Casey Liss

     in reply to

     @TechConnectify I completely agree with you, but in the car nerd circles I travel in, side markers are considered homely and uniquely American.