Thursday 25th September 2008

Daytime Running Light Plan Revived

All new cars to have daytime running lights in three years under EU plans

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Otherwise knwon as daytime running lights

Plans have been resurrected to fit all new cars with daytime running lights. The proposals have been met with fierce opposition from car manufacturers and safety groups claim cyclists and pedestrians will be put at risk. Under the plans, which were announced by Günter Verheugen, vice president of the European Commission, all new cars will have to be fitted with this equipment in three years.

For it to be put in place European ministers and European parliament must give it approval. ‘The introduction of Daytime Running Light for cars, trucks and buses makes them more visible, which will increase road safety. This will make a positive contribution to our goal of reducing fatalities on European roads whilst being more fuel efficient then existing lights,’ said Mr Verheugen.

Car manufacturers have questioned the thinking behind the proposals, saying they will be harmful to the environment. ‘There are mixed opinions on this,’ said a spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. ‘There is a small risk that some drivers will forget to switch on their headlights at night. We think there could also be confusion among road users between these lights and front fog lamps. Even though we accept this is supposed to be a safety measure, it could also add to carbon emissions exactly when car makers are under pressure from Brussels to cut them.’

Concern was also raised by Tim Kirkhope, a Tory Euro-MP and former Home Office minister. ‘When the commission first mooted compulsory daytime running lights, MEPs were inundated with letters from cyclists concerned that daytime lights would make it more difficult for them to be seen. If all cars have lights on, there is a concern that drivers start looking out for lights, rather than pedestrians or cyclists. At a time when we are pushing for reductions in the use of fuel and resultant emissions, we must be certain we are not causing extra carbon emissions without an additional benefit.’

[illmonkey]

People will not bother to turn lights on when it gets dark. They'll think these are enough. It happens withour DRT's, so they face people know lights will be on all the time they wont bother at all.

A better idea would be every car to have auto on lights when it gets dark. It'll stop people forgetting at least.

[vz-r_dave]

I worked in the police force (IT) for a while and traffic cops always insisted that driving your lights on is much safer. Since then I have left mine on at all times.

[Daggerpie]

vz-r_dave said:

I worked in the police force (IT) for a while and traffic cops always insisted that driving your lights on is much safer. Since then I have left mine on at all times.

Only coz they got no choice driving volvo estates!!

Agreed tho, I at least turn my sides on for motorway or a slightly dull day! TBH, running HIDS tho I sometimes get flashed by oncoming drivers.

[vz-r_dave]

Daggerpie said:

vz-r_dave said:

I worked in the police force (IT) for a while and traffic cops always insisted that driving your lights on is much safer. Since then I have left mine on at all times.

Only coz they got no choice driving volvo estates!!

Agreed tho, I at least turn my sides on for motorway or a slightly dull day! TBH, running HIDS tho I sometimes get flashed by oncoming drivers.

It has been proven that running your lights through out the day decreases the chances of accidents.

This information was obtained from sweden, finland etc where they use daytime running lights due to the short amount of daylight.

It is not "coz they got no choice driving volvo estates"

[Finlandia]

Daggerpie said:

vz-r_dave said:

I worked in the police force (IT) for a while and traffic cops always insisted that driving your lights on is much safer. Since then I have left mine on at all times.

Only coz they got no choice driving volvo estates!!

I have a Volvo estate, 850, and my lights are off during daytime, with a simple adjustment of the light switch.

The good thing with lights always on, is that you see a car with lights = it is moving, which can be a bit difficult at times with all cars having lights off.

[Taita]

I have my lights on as soon as it drizzles, or approaching dusk (6pm now). If you can't see a fking huge truck without it having DRL, should you actually be driving?

[clarencegi77]

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

[vz-r_dave]

clarencegi77 said:

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

It has been proven to be safer

[ally_f]

vz-r_dave said:

clarencegi77 said:

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

It has been proven to be safer

........in countries where its dark or very nearly dark for much longer - hence the need for lights!

surely we'd be better off using a bit of common sense and turning our lights on if it gets a bit dark?!

[AL...Ease]

Article said:

Otherwise knwon as daytime running lights

Really?

[Collaudatore]

vz-r_dave said:

Daggerpie said:

vz-r_dave said:

I worked in the police force (IT) for a while and traffic cops always insisted that driving your lights on is much safer. Since then I have left mine on at all times.

Only coz they got no choice driving volvo estates!!

Agreed tho, I at least turn my sides on for motorway or a slightly dull day! TBH, running HIDS tho I sometimes get flashed by oncoming drivers.

It has been proven that running your lights through out the day decreases the chances of accidents.

This information was obtained from sweden, finland etc where they use daytime running lights due to the short amount of daylight.

It is not "coz they got no choice driving volvo estates"

I agree. Is something my work also preaches for road safety.
I also feel that on motorways etc. people tend to jump out of the fast lane a whole lot quicker if you've your headlights on and are closing in.

[sultanbrown]

vz-r_dave said:

clarencegi77 said:

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

It has been proven to be safer

It has been proven to be safer in countries with little to no cycle traffic on the roads due to well built cycleways (that we don't have).;)

[dazsmith69]

i tend to keep my lights on during the day only if it aint sunny

1. easier for poor drivers to see you

2. looks good (HID's on a white car)

[LewisR]

I think that the increase in CO2 emmsions from having a modern set od LEDs on the car will be insignificant, arguably beneficial of it stop an accident. What the CO2 emmsions of a collison clear-up? I think that on mnay days when it's just drab and miserable (we have loads of those in the UK) lights will make a difference.

[Husaberk]

It has been proven to be safer
[/quote]

Not made my mind up either way but where did you find this proof? Recent trials of the law in Austria showed an increase in Road deaths I seem to recall. Other places suggest a drop, how did you become so sure?

[renrut]

vz-r_dave said:

clarencegi77 said:

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

It has been proven to be safer

As you said in countries known for having limited light during the day. Do you think it would make a lot of difference in spain during the summer?

As mentioned by others an additional problem is that people stop being observant for cars without them so those cars get crashed into more often, making it a self fulfilling prophecy. Same as the argument of driving a huge SUV 4x4 thing, e.g. a hummer, because its safer, it is for the person in it but if everyone had them it wouldnt be any better and other road users like cyclists, bikers etc would be even more at risk.

[neh321]

They must be running out of things to legislate on.

[patmahe]

Why do we always have to submit to the lowest common denominator, ie the idiot who wont put his lights on. Why don't we simply have a checkpoint on mornings where there's bad visibility and pull anyone over who comes around the corner with no lights on. If people started getting fines and penalty points for this gross act of irresponsiblity they'd soon wake up and start thinking about other aspects of their driving too.

It was very foggy here this morning and on my relatively quiet route to work I'd say one in 5 cars had no lights on whatsoever.

[vz-r_dave]

ally_f said:

vz-r_dave said:

clarencegi77 said:

A few LED's on the front of my car is going to make all the difference in CO2 production and thus global warming..
and if every car has DRL's on then it won't exactly make your car any more noticable than any other now, won't it? and besides, i think i'd be more able to spot a 1 ton chunk of metal faster than a few
LED's during the day.. sigh..

It has been proven to be safer

........in countries where its dark or very nearly dark for much longer - hence the need for lights!

surely we'd be better off using a bit of common sense and turning our lights on if it gets a bit dark?!

If you think that motorcyclists are told to use there lights so they can be seen why would it be any different for motorists???

Edited by vz-r_dave on Thursday 25th September 12:34

[renrut]

patmahe said:

Why do we always have to submit to the lowest common denominator, ie the idiot who wont put his lights on. Why don't we simply have a checkpoint on mornings where there's bad visibility and pull anyone over who comes around the corner with no lights on. If people started getting fines and penalty points for this gross act of irresponsiblity they'd soon wake up and start thinking about other aspects of their driving too.

It was very foggy here this morning and on my relatively quiet route to work I'd say one in 5 cars had no lights on whatsoever.

Don't suggest something like that! We already have enough ways to collect fines and penalty points! Who determines if its 'poor visibility'? Sods law you'll get pulled by the person who should have seen the optician years ago...