Daytime running lights; a popular topic. The pros and cons of daytime running lights (DRL) have been discussed many times. Do a Google search and more than 300,000 links will appear. In Canada they are mandatory since 1989. Many European countries have had legislation in place since 1977. As of today, the US From To has no laws in force that make DRLs mandatory, although all American automakers use the module.
IMHO the DRLs were installed to make the motorist more visible during daylight hours. Anyone you should have had
the experience once, when you try to pass someone, you are starting to leave and at the same time you notice a car approaching
distance. The car had no lights. If I had, you wouldn’t have even tried to get through. One point for DRLs.
The truth is that it is not about seeing, but to be seen! How many times have you driven in bad weather conditions?
thinking of heavy rain, snow, fog, etc., and suddenly a vehicle appears out of nowhere. Scare the living
daylights out of you. If this person had the lights on, you would not have had this ‘near heart attack’,
Right? Two points for DRL’s.
Now, on the other side of the discussion, the problem with DRLs is that people forget to turn on the light switch when
It gets dark or when the weather conditions get worse and therefore they drive without taillights. This is more a
vial education then issue a DRL problem. DRL or no DRL, people don’t turn on their headlights when needed, or
they turn on the parking lights. They believe that as long as they can see, it is not necessary to turn on the lights.INCORRECT. I
quote myself: “It’s not about seeing, it’s about being seen!”
Some people say that the glare from the headlights will turn them the other way. I find this hard to believe since 90% of
drivers look straight ahead while driving and do not take the “left-center-right-center” look around them. In my years of driving, a DLR has never bothered me during daytime driving. High beams, yes.
It’s true that DRLs make cars that don’t have them less visible when driving behind each other. The DRL opponents
They are using this as one of the negative factors and they want it to be banned. So wouldn’t it make more sense to have ALL the cars?
equipped with DRL? Of course, there are still few people who will disconnect them.
As you can see, there are many arguments in favor of both sides. There is even an Association against DRLs. On their website they
mention something about “ambient lighting” and why it doesn’t make sense for the Americas to have DRL. I fail
to see what the amount of ambient lighting (daylight in a day) has to do with the problem.
In closing I would like to ask this question: Why don’t 99% of police cars have their lights on in bad weather conditions?
I, for one, have DRL and the “auto on when it’s dark” function I turn on my headlights every time I get into my car
because I want them to see me.