BajaNomad - Hwy 1, Driving Baja at night.

Hwy 1, Driving Baja at night.

Sharksbaja - 9-30-2006 at 02:48 PM

We've all heard stories, seen the ghostly wrecks in the ravines , and the shrines that litter the length of the transpenninsular route.
It's legacy is still being written, many of us have seen the dark side of the highway. Driving Baja at night.

It's not uncommon to witness or be near an event of tragic proportions on the carrera at night. Those who drive the road regularily will give testimony to it's scope of mishaps.

I am one of those who has been more recently a regular feature running back and forth many times a year. I have seen some doozies. No deaths tho.

I wonder, is every night like that? I mean, is there an accident somewhere at any given time during the night?

Then I think, what a long road it is.

If people who insist on driving at night understand the risk, be prepared. High intensity lighting with "all-at-a-time" ability lighting may save yer butt.

Be prepared at every vado for livestock. Don't use excessive speed. Anticipate every oncoming vehicle carefully.

The road is very narrow so approaching on-coming vehicle position on the road is difficult to judge.

If you fear that you will get clipped, slow and turn on a flasher or signal, no matter. It will make them think about what YOUR intentions are.
Be a defensive driver. Be ready all the time. Don't do it if you don't have to.

Say a little prayer if you do.... :wow:

vgabndo - 9-30-2006 at 10:06 PM

I love my new driving lights (always wanted some

) but as it has been warned here before, if you've been running them for half an hour or so between cars and suddenly go to low beams for someone on-coming, it is like like driving 45 with a candle in a coal mine. I just have 220 watts. and it is flippin spooky when you turn them off. Any way to avoid the momentary blindness?

jerry - 9-30-2006 at 10:17 PM

slow down guys your movin too fast ya gotta sleep some time and reviveyour body or it will take its toll one way or another so be a bird down with the dusk and up with the dawn the rest is just fooling your self what time you steel from one will be payed back by the other besides theres another site just around the next corner and hopfully better then friggin head lites, death, or distruction

Gonna do it anyway

Sharksbaja - 9-30-2006 at 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jerry
slow down guys your movin too fast ya gotta sleep some time and reviveyour body or it will take its toll one way or another so be a bird down with the dusk and up with the dawn the rest is just fooling your self what time you steel from one will be payed back by the other besides theres another site just around the next corner and hopfully better then friggin head lites, death, or distruction

Heck yea, it's dangerous.
Jerry, you mean even like in the winter when you've driven since 6am and yer destination is an hour of driving in the night, I'd say go for it , just me. But then, I bought a house in the flood-plain , remember? Night driving is another gamble in your life, isn't it? Just a hell of alot of risk per minute I suppose..
There is a difference than, say, driving all night long. Seems pretty risky. But then, if you have car trouble or get way-layed, you may end up driving that road at night unexpectedly sometime. That's part of being prepared in Baja. You just never know what's gonna become a memorable experience.

I don't condon night driving the road and have stated that before. Just realize that people do it anyway and hope people take efforts to minimize risk(s) It's true, not all people will behave like chickens. :lol:

Ken Cooke - 9-30-2006 at 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vgabndo
If you've been running them for half an hour or so between cars and suddenly go to low beams for someone on-coming, it is like like driving 45 with a candle in a coal mine.

Four 55w lights overhead (I may go to HID in the future w/these), two 150w lights on prerunner bumper, fog lamps on prerunner bumper, and stock 35w headlights. They still don't seem enough when traveling at 50 m.p.h. in the dark.

Skeet/Loreto - 10-1-2006 at 03:07 AM

Sharks! It is the same in the States!
After I stopped Flying my Cessna 170B, making my First Trip on the Road, I put many Miles on Hwy 1,pulling a 32 FT. Travel Trailer and others up and down! In 1994 bought a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 Cyl., sold it to Dr. Bogdan Arriga when I left. It had 167,000 Baja Miles in 6 years!.Only driving in the Dark about an hour before Sunrise.
The problem is called "Lack of Common Sense"" which is displayed in Baja as in the States by the Youth of Today. The "Children of Today{which includes anyone below 60 years of Age} do not have the Ability to think of anyone but Themselves!! Demonstrated by those thinking that Large Lights and their past Experiences give them and Edge on Life,never realizing that their Bright Lights may Blind and Kill those that are Subject to Them!!They are only interested in their Selfish desire to get where they are Going with no Conserdation of others on the Road.

It reflects their "Lack of Knowledge,Experiences in Life, inability to Care about anyone but themselves".

I will Sadly predict that some of those with the above attitude will someday " Bite the dust" and Kill an innocent Person, just like the Drunk Driver, excessive Speeder, Tailgater, cell Phone user, and just plain Idiot when they get behind the Wheel!!
Someday, or some night, a frustrated Victum will take their 357 Mag, and blow out those "Dangerous lights of those oncoming Killers" and Maybe, just maybe, they will " Get the Message"!!

Anon The Preacher

vgabndo - 10-1-2006 at 06:55 AM

I want to get clear that I drive at night not by choice but by happenstance. IF it happens, I just want these old floater infested eyes to have all the help they can get. In 22 lengths of the Baja, I have put a tire off the pavement three times. (except when I planned it!) That's pretty conservative. At this point I'd say that night security was as big a threat in my mind as my being able to keep it between the lines. The whacko in the other lane will always be a wildcard.
Adventure travel with a white line. As Sharks might say: If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. :lol:

Bob H - 10-1-2006 at 07:01 AM

I don't intentionally drive at night, but it's happened before. And, when it does, I find myself hugging the rear end of a semi and let that rig clear the way for me!

Bob H

Vgabndo

Baja Bernie - 10-1-2006 at 07:41 AM

"The whacko in the other lane will always be a wildcard."

Wonder if the person going in the other direction thinks the same thing!

David K - 10-1-2006 at 10:33 AM

You miss 'seeing' some of the best of Baja if you drive at night!

Ken Cooke - 10-1-2006 at 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto The "Children of Today{which includes anyone below 60 years of Age} do not have the Ability to think of anyone but Themselves!! Demonstrated by those thinking that Large Lights and their past Experiences give them and Edge on Life,never realizing that their Bright Lights may Blind and Kill those that are Subject to Them!!They are only interested in their Selfish desire to get where they are Going with no Conserdation of others on the Road.

Although I am 38 years of age, I do have the common sense to power only my fog lamps (which point downward) as a vehicle gets near me on Hwy 1. Additionally, if it is a Semi truck, I turn on only my parking lights, and pull to the right of the road going about 5 m.p.h. in order that there isn't a problem in him judging me or vice versa. You don't have to be 60 yrs. old or older to be able to do this. :?:

Cypress - 10-1-2006 at 12:08 PM

Spent a few years in northwest Oregon. Many miles of lonely road at a stretch. It was "open range" country. A black angus in the road is hard to see before impact, mountains with plenty of elk, deer, black ice, rocks and everything else. Baja isn't the only place that driving at night is dangerous.

Wiles - 10-1-2006 at 12:23 PM

I enjoy everyone's posts. It's always nice to revisit Baja memories.

Back in the early 80's made trip from Buena Park (home of Knott's Berry Farm) to BOLA and back in 24 hrs. Went to pick up boat and trailer. Left BP at 11:00 am and back the next day at 2:00pm. There were 17 major washouts between El Rosario and BOLA. Arrived at the Bay at 11:30pm, hooked up the boat managing not to waken Senor Ocana. Did wake up Wally Cambell to let him know that it was us. Left the Bay in my wake at midnight. 2 1/2 hrs wasted in secondary inspection..thought I was lying.

Night driving ---high intensity lights------

Barry A. - 10-1-2006 at 12:55 PM

------back in the early 70's I had Cessna Landing lights mounted on a roof rack which I used a lot in Utah and western Colorado-----this was before any regulations, apparently, because none of us had any "bras" on our lights and nobody ticketed us-------we, like Ken C., were polite with them and never used them when opposing traffic was in sight. Deer, cattle and sheep were the main targets to avoid in the states------when in Baja it was cattle and horses, mostly.

No amount of super-lights can protect you from the scared animal that leaps up from below the sight-line on the shoulders and is "just there" at the last min. . it happens all the time------lights AND slow driving are the answer, I think, if you MUST drive at night, and like others, I certainly don't advise it.

Cypress - 10-1-2006 at 01:10 PM

Barry A. I agree! :bounce:

By the way----using high intensity lights----

Barry A. - 10-1-2006 at 01:24 PM

------when you are coming up behind somebody is also incredibly annoying and dangerous for the poor guy ahead-------dim, or turn off those puppy's when you can see somebodies tail lights ahead-----it is ony common courtesy, and may avoid having the guy ahead drift out in front of you as you pass because he can't see. :light:

Also, if you are passing folks at night, you just may be moving too fast??? :yes:

Ken Cooke - 10-1-2006 at 02:35 PM

When using my lights, I am the lead vehicle, and no other vehicle is within 1 mile of me. Come up behind w/your lights, and I don't care - my rear view mirror has an auto dim feature...that works! :yes:

Ken------that is so cool------(rear mirrors that dim)---

Barry A. - 10-1-2006 at 03:57 PM

----where did you get such a thing???? Never even knew they existed.

jerry - 10-1-2006 at 04:07 PM

a guy i know was a long haul trucker he had a great way of dimming headlights behind him he just siffted some bbs out of the window till they whent out very effective and economical too :bounce:

Ken Cooke - 10-1-2006 at 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
----where did you get such a thing???? Never even knew they existed.

They're available as "Extras" on Daimler/Chrysler vehicles at an addition ~$200.00

ME - 10-1-2006 at 06:38 PM

Driving at night is aganist all the rules.... Slowdown! Besides you dont want to miss Happyhour :yes:

$200????? Yikes!!!!!

Barry A. - 10-1-2006 at 07:05 PM

-----thanks Ken, I will have to look into them.

Ken Cooke - 10-1-2006 at 08:12 PM

They make them for all types of uses, makes and models.

Exterior Self Dimming Mirror, 996 & Boxster

chino - 10-1-2006 at 08:52 PM

used to drive baja a ton at nite, mainly due to time off restraints, still drive a bit mostly for a good swell, but two years ago (@2:00 AM) with our good lighting we saw a man who had been hit and drug by a semi-truck it was hard to tell what was in the road untill we were among it. It took along time to get the image out of my head and my 15 year old son also saw it. The biggest fear is if I would have struck the ped, so along with the good lights I slow way down going thru the towns, and I always ask for travle mercies.

aquaholic - 10-1-2006 at 08:56 PM

...back in the 70's & 80's traffic was a lot less than today...I hauled lots of stuff to the new house during the night to avoid caravans, etc. There were few folks on the road to accidentally get blinded by my super high beam off road lights. It was also OK to stop to rest anywhere along the road when you got tired..things are now different...traffic dictates that night driving is dangerous...plus, the sorry fact that I'm not the 30 something I was then...I just can't stay focused for that many hours...the best way to go is ...sleep during the dark...drive with the light...

Skeet/Loreto - 10-2-2006 at 04:16 AM

Ken: From your words, I can see that you are a Good and Careful Driver!
When I started driving Hwy 1 on the Easter Weekend that it opened and up to my Last trip in my 1992 Ford F -150 4 W/D, 6 Cyl. with a Camper loaded with my Last Load of Funiture in 2000, Virginia and I were coming North out of Parker AZ. when we were Rear-ended by a Youngster pulling a Boat, knocked around two Cars Stopped in front of us for a Left Turn.
I heard and saw him coming toward us through the Rear view Mirror, so took my foot off the Brake, turned the Wheel slightly to the Left and was Propelled around the two cars in front, threaded through the oncoming traffic for about 75 yards.
Driver was doing about 55 Mph, had been smoking Dope while working on His Boat. Had only $15,000 Min. Coverage which just barely covered Virginias Medicals. This Tuesday she is having Surgery for Damage caused those 6 years ago.

The young Drivers here in the Texas Panhandle are the Same, Always over the Speed Limit, Tailgating, etc. I am having very large and strong Steel Wrapped around my Truck for Protection from the Deer, Turkeys, but mostly for Protection from those that use Their High Speed, Large Lights, to Intiminate all other Drivers.

Had a Freind traveling I 40 and got tired of the Large Truckers Tailgating so he rigged up a Device that dropped a bundle of Roofing Nails out The Rear end of His Pickup. Several Trucks had to Stop shortly with most of their Tires Flat.

Vag; I too have loved "Living on the Edge" but have always had the "Common Sense" not to put anothers Life in Danger, just to satisfy my on EGO.

Save your Life and Others--Do not Drive Baja at Night unless a matter of Life or Death.

Skeet/Loreto

Skeet/Loreto

Posting photo for Bernie

David K - 10-2-2006 at 08:43 AM

Bernie emailed this photo to me. He wanted you all to see an example of what could happen when driving at night on Hwy. 1 in Baja!

carvshorseR.JPG - 47kB

jerry - 10-2-2006 at 10:50 AM

heck of a horse thief :rolleyes:

Same thing

Sharksbaja - 10-2-2006 at 11:24 AM

Happened here last Fall. It was an elk though, that tried to clear a lifted 4X4. DOA. It isn't just Baja.

In fact in Oregon there are only two types of people:

1.) Those who have hit a deer with their car

and:

2.) Those who will.

Should we stop driving here at night also? Is anyone aware how many moose are struck in AK every year?

Cypress - 10-2-2006 at 12:08 PM

Driving at night can be dangerous whether in Baja, or anyplace else. When you get past those city lights, off the Interstates and out in the boonies, beware.

You're on your own. Wildlife, free-roaming livestock and run-of-the-mill breakdowns are all part of the equation. Road bandits? :?:

Get's a little spooky when the next town is 70 miles away. Driving at night on rural roads isn't wise north or south of the border.

Thanks David

Baja Bernie - 10-2-2006 at 12:51 PM

That actually happened to a friend of mine in his El Camino on the toll road near La Mision.

tim40 - 10-2-2006 at 02:50 PM

HID adjustment. Total of 9 used on my race car. When running at night, it is a requirement to shut them down (or at least the uppers) when getting in the dust from a vehicle in front or go blind due to reflection. The only thing that works that I have found is NOT to shut them all down at one time...allow a few seconds between each lamp. Not 100% possible, but often. Tim

Skipjack Joe - 10-2-2006 at 04:57 PM

That picture is hilarious, David. :lol:

I'm sorry. I suppose it was real tragic, but I can't wipe the grin off my face.

I have a coworker who told me about a friend that died in Yellowstone after running into a buffalo. I kept trying to imagine that all these years. What it must have been like. Now, my curiosity has been satisfied and it's as wild as I had pictured it in my mind.

God! I have to post this quickly so I can go back and look at that some more.

Reminds me of the joke - How do you get 4 elephants into a volkswagen? Now I can visualize that.

[Edited on 10-3-2006 by Skipjack Joe]

Ken Cooke - 10-2-2006 at 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tim40
The only thing that works that I have found is NOT to shut them all down at one time...allow a few seconds between each lamp. Not 100% possible, but often. Tim

Heres my Hwy 1 protocol:
Car within 2 miles - turn off KC Daylighters
Car within 1 mile - turn off 4 overhead Hella FF50s
Car within :60 - turn off headlights/run Hella fog lamps only
Car flashing brights - turn off fog lamps and slow to 10 m.p.h.

[Edited on 10-3-2006 by Ken Cooke]

Skeet/Loreto - 10-3-2006 at 03:07 AM

Ken: Very good Advice:
As a Race Driver your training , reactions,experience both on and Off Road are much different than the everyday person going to Baja on a Holiday.

You know those Risks and I am sure use them for winning Races. Think about the First time Nomad going down Hwy 1 the first time, not knowing the Narrow Lanes, Drop off Shoulders, the Standard Passing Signal given by the Good Mexicano Drivers, the Stopped Vehicles in the Middle of the Road, the Cows and Horses etc.

Are you not practicing "Survival of the Fitist" with the Advantage being on your side due to their Lack of Experience????

Skeet/Loreto

DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT!!!!!

M - 10-3-2006 at 12:59 PM

I was camping at Nopolo one year (before the golf courses and sinking hotel) entertaining 4 pescadors that brought me some fish. We were sitting around the campfire when we heard this loud screeching of breaks and a WHUMP!!!! Right off the bat I knew it was one of my burro friends that visited my camp for orange peels. We all raced up to the road and found Clyde, sprawled out with his 2 broken legs out front of him, his left eye hanging out and God only knows what internal injuries. A young man and 3 girls were just getting out of their trashed Corolla. The car was hit fatally and I don't know how those kids escaped serious injury, but they did, only then to survive my verbal assault.
Clyde was screaming and thrashing in pain and I was turning myself inside out with the horror of it all, so I just lit into those kids for an eternity. When I stopped for breath, the kid told me that the 3 girls in the car with him were deaf mutes, but they could read lips. Hell, at least they could understand the words, even if they did escape the VOLLUME. My pescador friends dragged me back to camp and those kids set off walking towards Loreto. Clyde was still thrashing and screaming and I was begging those fishermen to do something but they wouldn't get involved. They said the burro belonged to someone and they were not going to be the ones to kill it. So...with my machete, I did. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life and I only regret that I didn't think to have that damn kid who hit Clyde do it himself. Graham came by my camp a couple days later. He said he heard about a crazy gringa in Nopolo who killed a burro. He figured I had to be the crazy gringa so he came out for a look. We walked out to Clydes body and damned if it wasn't much more than a hide sack filled with roiling maggots! In about a week, I doubt if there would be anything left. Graham said he was going to go back for the skull, and I asked about it a couple years ago, but he said he never did. I know this is another case of "she really didn't do that", well, yes, it happened and I have the pictures to prove it. Driving at night and thinking your the exception, is one of the stupidest things you can do in Baja.
M

Wiles - 10-3-2006 at 04:02 PM

I've seen many a cow, donkey and coyote in the day light as in the dark. Doesn't make much difference day or night when they]re tucked down in a vado or the backside of a turn.

It's the farm truck w/ 20 people aboard doing 10mph, or the tractor crossing the highway, or the gaunlet of things flying out the back of trucks that I always worried about in the daytime.

In the Baja night you can see the glow of headlights many miles ahead, don't have to worry about too many locals and you can drive the middle of the road (sure helps when you blow a tire).

Know the road, know your limits, slow in the curves and vados and ALWAYS expect the unexpected. Half the adventure in traveling Baja is the goin & comin and everyone here didn't choose to go that first time because it was boring......you went for the Baja adventure..... and that Baja spirit still tugs on all of you today. I can see it in your posts. I was bit too and there's nothing like it.

Be safe one and all, but don't forget to make it an adventure.

tim40 - 10-3-2006 at 04:53 PM

Not going to give advice as to if you should/should not drive MX/Baja at night. I have done it for years, but when asked I always suggest the most conservative approach and say most would recommend you do not.

jerry - 10-3-2006 at 05:49 PM

i gave it another thought God be with you if you find you have to drive at night and if you want to live on the edge make sure your the one on the edge :fire:

not some poor person who didnt want to be there :no:

go ahead too many greengos in mexico anyway maybe it bring propertys back on the market :yes:

Skeet/Loreto - 10-4-2006 at 09:17 AM

SoulPatch: Not Many!
The guy had it setup to stream the Roofing Nails to the slight inside of the 18 Wheelers, dumping only enough to get as many Wheels as Possible.
His Story: On one incident near Alburqurque New Mexico. He stopped and ask the Driver if he needed assistance, there was one car following and he helped them on their Way after Fising their Flat.

He heard on his CB later , the Drivers warning that there was Nails on the Hwy ahead, then he went on the Radio and gave the story of a guy dropping Nails infront of Tail-gaters. You Shoud have heard the Replys!!
They even described the Little Red Toyota Truck that was doing all the Damage.
I would advise aganist Driving at Night, but if you do, slow your Speed so that you can react faster to any danger that maybe over the Hill/around the Curve etc.
There is an old Saying"Drive Like Hell, yawl will get there sooner or Later".

Skeet/Loreto