Daytime Headlights- Yes or No?

[tonyrec]

After a recent trip to Scandinavia (Denmark)i noticed that it was a legal requirement for vehicles to have their headlights illuminated during daylight hours.

I found that it was safer whilst walking around and that the cars/motorcycles were more easily seen.

Im a firm believer that it is good practice, especially whilst riding a Motorcycle, that you have your lights on. It is also Police policy to have headlights on whilst riding a Motorcycle.

Do you think that it would be a good idea if it was Law in the UK too for all vehicles or do you think that it would cause too many problems?

[Plotloss]

Same in certain states of America.

I think its a good idea if it improves safety. Having your headlights on makes no difference to you so why not.

This is of course assuming that everyone has their headlights adjusted correctly...

[t-c]

I believe it should be down to individual choice. Believe it or not, I get a lot of motorcycle accidents arrive on my desk which in part are actually caused as a result of the bike displaying headlights in daytime conditions.

It would take me forever to go through the various permutations of causation, but suffice to say I am not a believer in the hard wired dipped beam headlight on a bike.

[206xsi]

I have a swedish friend who says they have stats to show it is remarkably safer.

However their dark periods in winter are longer and darker! However it does make sense, ask bikers!

[mondeoman]

I know someone who refused to put her lights on until it was pitch black on the premise that it would wear out the battery and the lights ....... go figure that one....

The BM has auto lights on, which come on during daylight when it gets slightly dark in the cabin. Personally I think its a good idea, and certainly make sure that mine are on when I think it will assist others to see me - like when heading away from a setting sun or into a rising sun ...

[sheepy]

Depends:

If it's overcast and maybe raining (or atleast threating to rain) I'll put the lights on. Also if I'm on the motorway / dual carriageway it seems to help with people pulling out in front of me (ie they don't ).

Otherwise I tend not to. I do sometimes turn them on if I feel that the situation requires it. For example if I take the Jag to Hemel via the A4146, there are a few places where having the lights on makes the car stand out a bit better and I'll use them for that purpose only at those points if I've no-one in front. Quite what someone following me makes of me turning the lights on and off I don't know, but if it reduces the chances of someone pulling out of a junction right in front of me, then so be it!

Sheepy

[XM5ER]

I think that if it became a legal requirement, once everyone switched on and we all got used to it, it would make no difference. However you may see an increase in bike accidents as they would no longer stand out and the casual glancer (numpty) may interpret a single headlight as a car further away. Speaking as an ex biker I would prefer someone who sees a headlight in daylight to make the assumption that it is a bike and therefore, hopefully be more careful.

[Mad Dave]

I used to drive with lights on all the time, but now that i have popup lights i tend only to use them when absolutely necessary as they jut into my view and get on my nerves. Plus driving with popups on during daylight apparently makes me look like a poser. (or so im told).

[alans]

An awfull lot of numpties don't use lights in poor visability, fog etc now, and the amount I have seen on the motorway in heavy rain with just sidelights! so prehaps dipped headlights on with the ignition is not a bad idea.

Alan

[tvrslag]

I generally drive with lights on all the time.
In a previous car I found that people used to pull out and into turnings in front of me, and the only reason I could explain for this is that with the lights on if you go over a bump or dip (which are unfortunately rather prevailant on our roads) it looks as if the lights have been flashed. Most of us have experienced this phenomena when driving in the dark and we assume a car has flashed their lights behind us.
Other than this potential hazard I think its a good idea.

[centurion07]

S'a good idea, but then I'm one of the drivers that already does it! My friend used to do it & I always thought it made him look like a numpty until he pointed out that they had "recently" changed the law in another country somewhere, & their accident rate went down by some silly amount like 20% because, as bikers are already well aware, it's far easier to pick out a shining headlight/s coming towards you than a dark blob! For those that doubt, next time you're out on the motorway, take a look over to the other side & see which cars are the easiest to pick out.

[Bonce]

We had a vote on this subject a while back Tony, click here to see the results.

Edit: For the record, I'm a lights on driver by preference.

>> Edited by Bonce on Tuesday 7th October 10:46

[thanuk]

The argument against this is that in making cars and bikes more visible it makes others, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, less visible in comparison.

[Bonce]

thanuk said:

The argument against this is that in making cars and bikes more visible it makes others, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, less visible in comparison.

Ah, but cyclists and pedestians don't do as much damage to you when you hit them.

[onedsla]

sheepy said:

If it's overcast and maybe raining (or atleast threating to rain) I'll put the lights on. Also if I'm on the motorway / dual carriageway it seems to help with people pulling out in front of me (ie they don't ).

I agree with this completely - I drive a gunmetal elise which isn't the easiest of cars to spot down the motorway etc. When I was driving a bright red 406 coupe, I wasn't so bothered.
Dave

[lucozade]

I get loads of hassle off other drivers due to the automatic lights on my M3. The new M3 has these as standard and personally I think they come on at the drop of a hat although it is an excellent feature.

I don't think they should be used in broad daylight though.

[TSS]

Definitely a good idea. I recently read an American study which showed daytime lights were highly effective at reducing accidents – probably far more effective than the current “speed kills” propaganda campaigns!

[regmolehusband]

I recall reading something somewhere that when daytime lights were introduced in Sweden accidents reduced by 10%. I think that says it all. There must be arguments against it otherwise the whole of Europe would go that way.

>> Edited by regmolehusband on Tuesday 7th October 14:46

[Mr E]

onedsla said:

I agree with this completely - I drive a gunmetal elise which isn't the easiest of cars to spot down the motorway etc. When I was driving a bright red 406 coupe, I wasn't so bothered. Dave

It's a good point. Car colour matters in iffy visability.

I was always very aware my old car (metallic grey) with pop up headlights was hard to see. It was pretty much *exactly* the colour of wet tarmac.....

The new car is bright red, and easier to pick out.

[centurion07]

regmolehusband said:

I recall reading something somewhere that when daytime lights were introduced in Sweden that accidents reduced by 10%. I think that says it all. There must be arguments against it otherwise the whole of Europe would go that way.

Reduced accident rates without cutting speed limits to 20mph everywhere? Surely not?!?!