Lighting for deers

[chamackO]

Any thoughts on rear facing lights? Found this research about efficacy of lights to avoid deer strikes. Had a deer strike accident two years ago in a rental van that I don’t want to repeat again.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2020/sa-07/nwrc-deer-lights

Sponsored

 

[D Fresh]

I have a hard time believing that wouldn't cause a large amount of glare for the driver AND traffic behind them.

 

[T Bone]

that would get a stop from the local popo for sure here, anything that is considered "distracting" lighting is an automatic ticket.

 

[TremorOwner]

Must be why these never hit deer... right?

 

[Msfitoy]

Any thoughts on rear facing lights? Found this research about efficacy of lights to avoid deer strikes. Had a deer strike accident two years ago in a rental van that I don’t want to repeat again.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2020/sa-07/nwrc-deer-lights

Rear facing...typo?

As for avoiding deer...see my sig ?

 

[chamackO]

I have a hard time believing that wouldn't cause a large amount of glare for the driver AND traffic behind them.

Good point. But I wouldn’t think the rear facing lights used to illuminate the front end would be any brighter than the headlights.

I was thinking of mounting the rear facing light inside the bumper. I just have the stock bumper. Not as illuminated as their photo but hopefully makes me more noticeable. Going to place a work light inside for a test tonight.

 

[D Fresh]

Good point. But I wouldn’t think the rear facing lights used to illuminate the front end would be any brighter than the headlights.

I was thinking of mounting the rear light inside the bumper. Not as illuminated as their photo but hopefully makes me more noticeable. Going to place a work light inside for a test tonight.

Okay, can you imagine a pair of headlights mounted 4-6" from your grill pointing back at you?

Doesn't sound good to me.

The study you linked to is just that. A study.

Put on some deer whistles, be diligent when watching, and enjoy your truck.

Even if it did work, you're risking some tickets at best.

 

[Big Blue]

Okay, can you imagine a pair of headlights mounted 4-6" from your grill pointing back at you?

Doesn't sound good to me.

The study you linked to is just that. A study.

Put on some deer whistles, be diligent when watching, and enjoy your truck.

Even if it did work, you're risking some tickets at best.

Again not the point of the study. It is to give the front of the vehicle visibility to the deer, instead of two points of light. If you notice none of the light goes above the lip of the hood or hits the windshield. The light radiate out to the side and down but not behind the vehicle. The most a vehicle behind would see is a glowing halo around the vehicle in front of it, probably not much more than the current headlights provide. We aren't talking 16000 lumens here, just enough to give the vehicle larger uniform presents to the deer so it can judge it's motion, not blind it or oncoming drivers.

Growing up in one of the largest car/deer accident counties in Wisconsin, and having my fair share of close calls. I can see this having promise. Still might not help much during the rut when the bucks get kind of dumb. ?

 

[mtbikernate]

did you folks actually read the article? They showed pics of this system.

Neither the driver nor ppl behind you would see these lights. Nothing is going to actually shine directly in anyone's face.

It makes sense that it would reduce deer collisions. Deer, with their eyes on the sides of their head to increase their FIELD of view, have shit depth perception. It's difficult to judge distance on the headlights of a vehicle in the dark even when you DO have the anatomy for depth perception. Couldn't imagine how difficult that is for a prey animal. I don't imagine that something like this would need to be terribly bright to work. But it also looks like it should be simple enough to implement.

 

[T Bone]

i read the article, and in new york state that lighting would get you pulled over in a heartbeat. showed my neighbor who is a popo and he said basically anything coming at you that might distract another driver is a no no, just my 2 cents certainly not trying to argue.

 

[Big Blue]

i read the article, and in new york state that lighting would get you pulled over in a heartbeat. showed my neighbor who is a popo and he said basically anything coming at you that might distract another driver is a no no, just my 2 cents certainly not trying to argue.

Did you show your neighbor the article with the pictures? What is so distracting about the truck in the picture. I've seen a lot of vehicles on the road with more distracting lights than that.

 

[T Bone]

Did you show your neighbor the article with the pictures? What is so distracting about the truck in the picture. I've seen a lot of vehicles on the road with more distracting lights than that.

yes i showed him the article, hell he warned me about my raptor lights with the lightshield hood deflector, not trying to get into a pissing contest. Its definately a thing around here.

 

[D Fresh]

Again not the point of the study. It is to give the front of the vehicle visibility to the deer, instead of two points of light. If you notice none of the light goes above the lip of the hood or hits the windshield. The light radiate out to the side and down but not behind the vehicle. The most a vehicle behind would see is a glowing halo around the vehicle in front of it, probably not much more than the current headlights provide. We aren't talking 16000 lumens here, just enough to give the vehicle larger uniform presents to the deer so it can judge it's motion, not blind it or oncoming drivers.

Growing up in one of the largest car/deer accident counties in Wisconsin, and having my fair share of close calls. I can see this having promise. Still might not help much during the rut when the bucks get kind of dumb. ?

I fully understand the point of the study.

I also fully understand that IF properly engineered it might not have problems.

I also understand that the OP simply placing a "work light" in the back of the bumper does not equal properly engineered.

It has promise if engineered properly. As a DIY project, please don't.

 

[Big Blue]

yes i showed him the article, hell he warned me about my raptor lights with the lightshield hood deflector, not trying to get into a pissing contest. Its definately a thing around here.

Nobody is pissing on anybody!

I guess what I'm saying is "Distracting" is in the eye of the beholder and wouldn't be legal reasons for banning any modifications to lighting on you vehicle. There is currently such variation in lighting design between makes as to make a legally binding description very hard.

It has promise if engineered properly. As a DIY project, please don't.

Nobody has mentioned it as a DIY project, just commenting on the study presented. I agree any implementation would need to be properly engineered and studied. Just saying many current front lighting modifications are much more distracting than what was shown.

At least you do see the promise for what is in some parts of the country a very real hazard.

 

[D Fresh]

Nobody has mentioned it as a DIY project, just commenting on the study presented. I agree any implementation would need to be properly engineered and studied.

OP did.

Going to place a work light inside for a test tonight.

At least you do see the promise for what is in some parts of the country a very real hazard.

For sure there's potential. Right now your best bet is deer whistles, vigilance, and where you can Aux lighting so YOU can see THEM. I've hit deer before. I know it sucks.

Sponsored