black out lights

[Rob MacDonald]

I can make myself feel quite ill when I remember flying down logging roads in the BC mountains in the middle of the night in an M38A1, windscreen folded down and the driver relying on my cry of 'Oh Jayzus - TURN!" when I looked down past my right knee and only saw air instead of gravel...

I think we pranged a black bear once.

[horsa]

Wartime England saw the curbs of paved roads being painted white which assisted drivers at night when driving with blackout hooded lights quite a bit in towns and villages. Automobiles and bicycles also had rear bumpers or fenders painted white so they could be seen just prior to being run over.

Probably helped instuctors when noting in the trainees driving logs about what the bigger bumps in the road were.

They actually do help in the field away from the lights of a town as well, so long as you haven't had your night vision compromised by someone with a flashlight.

Here in the USA we now have grooved pavement on the edge of some roads as its cheaper than paint and lasts longer. We call it braille driving since you can close your eyes while driving and know when there are turns in the road based on the vibrations and sound when the tires go over it.

[Ron Pier]

We have them on the edges of motorways etc. here in UK. They're called rumble strips here. Ron

[Pedr]

One of the MV clubs in Adelaide run an annual blackout driving rally in nearby Radiata Pine plantations.

For me it was always a highlight of the annual calendar and I am the winner of three trophies in a row for winning the blackout orienteering course.

It is certainly a lot of fun and interesting to give it a go.

Pedr