Corvette Visibility
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Corvette Visibility
On Saturday evening I was driving my 1995 white convertible with the top down. As I approached an intersection I observed a large crew cab pickup approaching. The truck stopped and immediately proceeded into my path. I just had a feeling he didn't see me and slowed down when I noticed him. As he crossed my path I applied heavy braking and stopped without hitting him. I have the heavy duty brakes, and got to enjoy them. When he saw me he stopped in the middle of the intersection. He was excited, I could tell by how he backed up and the look on his face. Now this was interesting to me not exciting, as I already had taken steps to prevent an accident. Excellent brakes helped to keep the excitement in check. Now to the point; if I had my parking lights and fog lights on, would he have seen me? I now will use my fog lights as day time driving lights.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Good question. I suspect that the answer is both yes in that they help but no because the car is low and still hard to see. I've had several "people" make left turns coming at me and have enjoyed those 13" front brakes myself
I've always used my fog lights as DRLs.
I've always used my fog lights as DRLs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh Pa
I always run my fog lights in the daytime. I've done that on pretty much all the cars I've owned. Definitely helps. I've noticed the difference in recognition. As I approach intersections I often look at the driver to see that he recognizes I'm coming, and it definitely seems that with the lights on the recognition improves.
With C4's there just isn't much frontal area, and of what frontal area there is, a large percentage of it appears black (windshield) to other drivers. Add in a dark vette and it's even worse. Definitely run the fogs. If you really want to get crafty, wire them in as DRL's.
With C4's there just isn't much frontal area, and of what frontal area there is, a large percentage of it appears black (windshield) to other drivers. Add in a dark vette and it's even worse. Definitely run the fogs. If you really want to get crafty, wire them in as DRL's.
Last edited by Z06X; Jun 28, 2010 at 05:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: EOF ★ Kaliforniastan ★
St. Jude Donor '10
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
You could have had strobe lights flashing and a siren blaring and some people still wouldn't have noticed you. 
You should try it on a motorcycle sometime.
You should try it on a motorcycle sometime.
Roadster Madness. 😠
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ventura Co Ca
SoCal Regional Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '13, '20-'21
It does not matter. I had the DRL's on a Victory Red Vert with the right of way traveling along a busy street and an idiot leaving Costco almost T-boned me. He would have if I had not gone into the center divider. I chased him until I got his plate in case there was damage to the undercarriage. 
I had the DRL's on a Victory Red Vert with the right of way traveling along a busy street and an idiot leaving Costco almost T-boned me. He would have if I had not gone into the center divider. I chased him until I got his plate in case there was damage to the undercarriage.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
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From: North New Jersey
Im glad the big J55 brakes worked in this situation! I always run my fog lights and running lights even during the day! I hope it adds some visibility to the drivers who are already not paying attention. The trade-off for the Vette is it is also VERY visible... So they either dont see you at all or they stare!!!
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Le Mans Master
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
For sure! some folks are in their own little world while driving. Thats the reason I don`t ride any more
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I had to follow Kathy from the inspection station, her in the Vette and me in the Blazer. In a town of pick-ups the Vette is invisible. Tail-gating and trucks pulling out from stop signs are common-place. Both happened in a 3 mile ride. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
I run full headlights on low beam on all vehicles I own when ever I leave my driveway. People just dont look. In my opinion the Vette fog lights are to low and may not be seen as well as Headlights. Headlights up, destroy the Vette looks, but so does a
crash.
8Valve
crash.
8Valve
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
As more and more cars come equipped with day time running lights, drivers have gotten use to seeing lights and missing the cars not displaying them. All cars need to display some kind of running light to prevent not being seen. In all fairness to the pickup driver, the angle that I was at and the road condition compounded by parked cars, made my car hard to be seen. He looked over the top of me. He made a mistake, and I am sure he will be more observant in the future. I will be more visible displaying parking and fog lights.
