On Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:35:06 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

They've been considering that round here. It's already pretty
black at
night (village). Certainly seems to be a retrograde step WRT
accidents
and crime...

I think its actually good for crime.

Aye, I don't think Andy has experienced a cloudy, moonless night.
It's unnervingly dark and you certainly can't move around as you just
can't see *anything*. A single street light 1/2 a mile away will ruin
that.

Even with a new moon starlight is ample to move around in.

First of all, in terms of straight mugging, a victim can hide in the
dark.

So can the mugger before they find their victim, but then anybody
sensible carries a 3D cell Maglite so they can see and a 3D cell
Maglight isn't a weapon is it...

Having played hide and seek in the dark as a child, one of the most
successful ploys was to lie down in the middle of the garden. They
always looked in bushes

Yep, used to be part of a capture team on night time orienteering
excercises. At night you can simply stand still and quiet in front of
a tree and people will just walk straight past within feet of you.

AS far as accidents go, all vehicles have lights - except cyclists of
course. You can see a light in a pitch black place easily.

If you are a cyclist with no lights, you deserve what you get anyway.

Same for pedestrians, what is it with people not carrying a torch or
wearing something light coloured or better retro-reflective on them?

--
Cheers
Dave.