Do they not see the red car?

Just went for my third drive in the 308. I cant believe how many people turn in front of me. If the car was black or gray I would understand, those colors blend into the road. But RED? My X1/9 is blue and smaller I expect people not to see it but not nearly the number pull out on me. Same on my motorcycle, very few people don't see me. I am thinking about getting some period fog lights to hang under the bumper to run durning the day.
I had 4 cars do it on my drive today. At least one was looking right at me, not the 1000 yard stair you get when you are on a motorcycle.
Sorry if this has been brought already it's just of my other two cars and bike the 308 seems to be a target.

 

Human eyes are least sensitive to red, most sensitive to yellow-green which is why most places have switched to yellow-green fire trucks and it has reduced accidents. 100 years ago they really got the traffic lights colors reversed, part of the reason people run red lights is they simply don't see them.

 

The bigger challenge is that the 308 is so low in comparison, I find that other drivers can’t see you in their mirrors and pull into your lane without seeing you regardless of color. A big issue on the expressway. I don’t drive my 308 that much in traffic as a result, mostly country roads early in the morning.

 

People expect to see the Daytime Running Lights these days, so cars without them don't seem to register as much. The 308/328 can also hide in the blind spots easier, especially with the Canyoneros on the road these days. But for what it's worth, people also can't seem to see my pickup, and it's 7 foot tall and bright yellow.

Just gotta play defense, that's all.

 

You probably just need to trigger a notification on their phone [emoji6]


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Only your third drive? Not enough data points to draw any conclusions. I once sat at a roulette table in Reno and watched the ball land on a black slot 9 times in a row. It means nothing. Law of averages.

 

I fitted LED daylight running lights where the front fogs are. Use the fog switch .
Just felt naked these days with everyone else having DLR s .
Also the low ( ish ) N European winter sun shading you in tree covered / high hedges U.K. country roads .

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I just use my 328's existing fog lights as running lights - seems to work OK. At least I haven't had anyone turn in front of me. Moving over on me because the 3x8 is so low...well, that's a different issue though modern cars that can detect a vehicle alongside are a good thing for us low car/motorcycle operators!

 

It is low, so I am sure people are looking over it to some extent. I guess the main problem is people are brain dead because they cant stop screwing with their phone. The up side is my horn is loud. It would be nice if people would take driving seriously.

 

I’ve compromised by fitting led in the side lights in bright white. They are definitely more visible than the original filament type and it also lights up the tail (led) My front fog lights are “flash -get out of my way”- also now led. I’m considering adding a switch so they can be used as DLRs. Tho so far no one has pulled out in front. But having driven a MGB for 20 years defensive driving is second nature!

 

An issue I've found on my cars is people get stunned when they see different cars than they are used to and will hit the wrong pedal.

 

I did the headlight mod to my car so the buckets will stay down when in parking lights mode then I installed Euro lenses that have clear sections and super bright LED's that act as DRL's.

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Driving any of the mid-engine cars <i have 2> is like riding a motorcycle- you have to assume you're invisible and don't trust any stoplight or road markings that can't physically protect you-

My SO has a Lotus Elise- practically invisible-

 

This is excellent I will have to do this mod.

 

People in "normal" cars tend to act weird around Ferraris (at least that's how it feels when I'm out in my 308 GT4). They do pull out in front of me, they also have this need to speed up and drive right beside me on highways—which causes lots of problems when I need to change lanes and take an exit. Our cars are very small and not very tall either, people driving these ginormous "murder trucks" simply can't see us. You have to drive defensively, always!

 

It’s not just in a Ferrari. I have noticed it a lot lately seems like the new thing people like to do, pull out right in front of somebody and then they are constantly on and off the brakes. I think it is more people not being courteous when they are driving not wanting to wait for traffic to clear. Common courtesy is getting rarer and rarer.

 

It's even worse in states with legal weed

 

Mostly, I think people are in a rush and are closing gaps with reduced concern for safety. Also, today's cars don't stall much, so, I think people think they will succeed in their timing and expect same from other cars on the road. Regardless of the car, I always ensure several seconds of gap when I make a LT (I probably PO people behind me sometimes). I have had older cars that will stall when pressing the gas too fast.

 

I'm getting old, mean, and unsympathetic. Colors don't matter, and here in California, very few drivers give a rat's butt (go ahead and edit that!). I now seldom drive my cars "to town" and, when I do, I have the headlights popped up. By the time I return home, I'm a nervous wreck.

 

I too have been more alert, driving the 308 on the highway, We look up at honda door handles and most trucks next to us can't even see us, slow back or pull ahead so they can see you.
COLLISION... My 77 was parked in my 30 foot wide driveway, ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, with a car cover on it. I returned home to find the cover ripped around the LR wheel arch - Some Feckless Drooling Turd pulled into my driveway to turn around, and i'm guessing, cut it too hard, (Likely because they couldn't see the Ferrari). No note on the car, no call, just a ripped car cover and a stuffed left quarter. My Porsche buddy has almost got this fixed, (I helped him do a solar aray in his back yard and build a music studio for his wife, great friend),

Anyway, points well taken, I'll look into running lighting, Maybe an OOGAH horn like i had on my first car, (MGA 1600).
Chris

 

One caveat if you do this, unlike DRL's you can forget to turn them off when you shut down so you have to develop a mental habit to make certain you don't forget.