Is it legal to disable DRL's
Discussion
I have a real problem with these DRL's and it's not the fact that cars have them, it's the strange phenomenon I see every single time I go on the road in either adverse weather or failing light and that is that a large number of people that have these drl's seem to have the belief that "my lights are on all the time" and don't bother using normal lights! No rear lights on the majority of cars so these numpties are driving about in driving rain/spray and fog with no rear lights on, and in failing light they are ironically dazzling people because the led's are so bright!? And they are supposed to be fitted to INCREASE safety? Manufacturers either need to link the rear lights or fit automated lights to take the decision off the drones!! Rant over!
Gary
Gary
GT6k said:
I am sure the stats show a reduction in accidents to cars with DRLs but as with any stats they don't tell the whole truth. How many motorbike riders have died due to the decreased conspicuity of bikes against all these DRLs ?
I loathe DRLs but have fitted leds to my motorcycle as they are becoming so common now that anything without retina burning leds is invisible.The Austrians did a four year trial insisting cars used dipped beam headlights 24/7, they couldn't measure any difference, safety wise, over not using lights, so they repealed the law.
The EU then decided we'd have DRLs !
I seem to recall, but may be wrong, that only front lights were a concession to Countries that opposed DRLs, and if I remember correctly, the UK was one of those that objected to them.
In my opinion these lights just encourage lazyness, and the losers will be pedestrians & cyclists.
GT6k said:
I am sure the stats show a reduction in accidents to cars with DRLs but as with any stats they don't tell the whole truth. How many motorbike riders have died due to the decreased conspicuity of bikes against all these DRLs ?
But surely bike riders have always ridden with lights on?jaf01uk said:
But surely bike riders have always ridden with lights on?
They most certainly have not.The Hi Viz brigade perhaps have, you still see a lot of motorcycles riding around without lights now, and would probably see more if the riders of newer bikes were given a choice (although not law to use lights in this Country, it seems to have been an EU reg for quite a while now that motorcycles cannot switch their lights off if made after a certain date).
I used to pick and choose when I thought I'd gain any advantage from having dipped beam on.
Nigel Worc's said:
They most certainly have not.
The Hi Viz brigade perhaps have, you still see a lot of motorcycles riding around without lights now, and would probably see more if the riders of newer bikes were given a choice (although not law to use lights in this Country, it seems to have been an EU reg for quite a while now that motorcycles cannot switch their lights off if made after a certain date).
I used to pick and choose when I thought I'd gain any advantage from having dipped beam on.
You say "the high viz brigade" like you're mocking people for taking responsibility for their own safety? Surely if m/cyclists are complaining that they are not being seen with the light off the answer is rather obvious is it not? Hence why newer bikes remove the (bad) choice? Very strange...The Hi Viz brigade perhaps have, you still see a lot of motorcycles riding around without lights now, and would probably see more if the riders of newer bikes were given a choice (although not law to use lights in this Country, it seems to have been an EU reg for quite a while now that motorcycles cannot switch their lights off if made after a certain date).
I used to pick and choose when I thought I'd gain any advantage from having dipped beam on.
jaf01uk said:
Nigel Worc's said:
They most certainly have not.
The Hi Viz brigade perhaps have, you still see a lot of motorcycles riding around without lights now, and would probably see more if the riders of newer bikes were given a choice (although not law to use lights in this Country, it seems to have been an EU reg for quite a while now that motorcycles cannot switch their lights off if made after a certain date).
I used to pick and choose when I thought I'd gain any advantage from having dipped beam on.
You say "the high viz brigade" like you're mocking people for taking responsibility for their own safety? Surely if m/cyclists are complaining that they are not being seen with the light off the answer is rather obvious is it not? Hence why newer bikes remove the (bad) choice? Very strange...The Hi Viz brigade perhaps have, you still see a lot of motorcycles riding around without lights now, and would probably see more if the riders of newer bikes were given a choice (although not law to use lights in this Country, it seems to have been an EU reg for quite a while now that motorcycles cannot switch their lights off if made after a certain date).
I used to pick and choose when I thought I'd gain any advantage from having dipped beam on.
My friends say that the cree leds I've fitted (both car and bike users)do seem to be very noticeable (without glare, it is very important they don't dazzle or piss anyone off).
We'll have to see how long that affect lasts, as from the point of view of being seen it doesn't matter if they notice me instead of the cars, or as well as the cars, as long as they notice me.
The sad thing is, those without them are being disadvantaged by those of us with them.
The Hi Viz image to me is completely ruined by the knob jockeys that cover themselves in it, or even worse, try to look like Police Officers.
Cyder said:
g3org3y said:
jaf01uk said:
Cyder said:
ch108 said:
I seen an Audi the other day with only one working DRL. I wonder how much that would cost to repair? Probably a new headlamp unit. And would the police stop you if you have a faulty DRL?
Most DRL's inside the headlamp can't be services so would have to replace the whole unit. If it wasn't covered under warranty I'd guess £800-£1000 to replace an LED or Xenon headlamp with DRL.
Good engineering!
I'm happy with switching on my dipped beam. Even if an H1 bulb fails every year, £565 buys a lot of bulbs.
Plus the LED's should last 10 years as a minimum so shouldn't need replacing in the majority of cars.
I don't think that's right, on cars where the DRL is a bulb in the fog lamp housing (many low grade hatchbacks) it's perfectly possible to change the DRL bulb in the unit (at least it is on the ones I work on) I think the tamper proof part probably relates to switching them off on new models (post 2012 new models) but I'm not sure without checking.
Snollygoster said:
A manufacture however has a legal obligation to ensure any car which goes for type approval after August 2011 has DRL's fitted as standard. They must come on when the engine is running and go off when other lights are turned on. The regulations also states: "The light source module(s) shall be tamperproof." So one would assume the manufacture would be responsible, and the car shouldn't be type approved if there is a way to turn them off.
Splitting hairs I know, but I think the regulation actually says "when the vehicle is in motion".All of the newer Mazdas (CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3) have DRL's, LED on the latter two, both type approved after Aug 2011, which switch off when the handbrake is applied.
So if you're at traffic lights with the handbrake applied, the DRL's are off, but the engine can be running.
Superhoop said:
Splitting hairs I know, but I think the regulation actually says "when the vehicle is in motion".
All of the newer Mazdas (CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3) have DRL's, LED on the latter two, both type approved after Aug 2011, which switch off when the handbrake is applied.
So if you're at traffic lights with the handbrake applied, the DRL's are off, but the engine can be running.
Actually, both are correct.All of the newer Mazdas (CX-5, Mazda6 and Mazda3) have DRL's, LED on the latter two, both type approved after Aug 2011, which switch off when the handbrake is applied.
So if you're at traffic lights with the handbrake applied, the DRL's are off, but the engine can be running.
The DRLs should come on when the engine is ON, however they can remain off if the a/t is in P or N, if the handbrake is applied or if the engine was cranked but the vehicle hasn't moved at all in that ignition cycle.
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