Is there law/legislation controlling DRL?
Discussion
I guess this could have been covered but a search has proven fruitless in providing an answer.
Is there law or legislation that controls DRL?
I know for indicators and headlamps there are positioning, output, pattern and "dazzle" criteria but it would seem that factory fit DRL are completely up to the factory.
The reason i ask is that i regularly see a Hyundai with only one side lit. These surround the (front) fog lamps. Obviously its frowned upon driving with front fogs on all the time so why is it ok for DRL? and only one at that?
The other (and the reason for my asking) is brightness. I am rather tired of being dazzled in broad daylight by a Megawatt of LEDs on the front of an Audi, Mercedes or (as this morning) new 911 (i have inadvertently highlighted that the worst offenders appear to be the German brands).
Why the hell are they so bright? There is no need to burn out the retina of oncoming drivers surely?
Is there law or legislation that controls DRL?
I know for indicators and headlamps there are positioning, output, pattern and "dazzle" criteria but it would seem that factory fit DRL are completely up to the factory.
The reason i ask is that i regularly see a Hyundai with only one side lit. These surround the (front) fog lamps. Obviously its frowned upon driving with front fogs on all the time so why is it ok for DRL? and only one at that?
The other (and the reason for my asking) is brightness. I am rather tired of being dazzled in broad daylight by a Megawatt of LEDs on the front of an Audi, Mercedes or (as this morning) new 911 (i have inadvertently highlighted that the worst offenders appear to be the German brands).
Why the hell are they so bright? There is no need to burn out the retina of oncoming drivers surely?
richb77 said:
Why the hell are they so bright? There is no need to burn out the retina of oncoming drivers surely?
You type well for a blind man. I'm assuming some sort of voice recognition doodad.Or that DRLs aren't really blinding, just occasionally annoying. Pretty much everything is occasionally annoying.
OP, yes there is legislation, though I couldn't point you at it, for type approval.
I'm more familiar with the single vehicle approval requirements (kit cars etc), and there's a set of rules regarding position and visibility, though they're pretty loose compared to something like an indicator.
I'm more familiar with the single vehicle approval requirements (kit cars etc), and there's a set of rules regarding position and visibility, though they're pretty loose compared to something like an indicator.
kambites said:
Ahhh... here come the "it doesn't effect me so clearly it can't effect you" brigade.
I have a problem with my eyes. I have problems with adjusting to changing light and am more easily dazzeld by lights. I also drive a low car so am more in line with lights. I have never had any problems with DLRs or fog lights.I will admit that on 4x4s and some large German cars I find DLRs a little bright when behind me, but nothing more than a little annoying, but there lights are in line with my rear view mirror.
Edited by PaulMoor on Tuesday 9th April 10:17
PaulMoor said:
kambites said:
Ahhh... here come the "it doesn't effect me so clearly it can't effect you" brigade.
I have a problem with my eyes. I have problems with adjusting to changing light and am more easily dazzeld by lights. I also drive a low car so am more in line with lights. I have never had any problems with DLRs or fog lights.I will admit that on 4x4s and some large German cars I find DLRs a little bright when behind me, but nothing more than a little annoying, but there lights are in line with my rear view mirror.
Oh, FFS, here we go again.
Current car - '12 plate Mondeo = DRLs that come on when the ignition goes on, and don't go off until the ignition goes off. Unless the headlights go on, in which case the DRLs go off (it's one or t'other not both at t'same time). DRLs cannot be turned off, by design. Neither are they an option which can be 'unticked' on new cars, as European legislation seems to insist they are fitted to all volume production cars at the factory.
Old car - '52 plate Vectra = No DRLs. If it was very overcast, or starting to get dark of an evening, I had to remember to switch on my sidelights or dipped headlights. Not a problem for me, but seemed to be difficult for a lot of idiots who would drive at upwards of 80 mph at dusk in pouring rain without any lights at all.
Try to think, before jumping on the anti-DRL bandwagon. When you've had a little think, form an opinion based on your own experience, not a regurgitated ball of drivel you happened to see on the internet somewhere. DRLs are here to stay. The only real debate should be about legislation regarding the stupid fools who retro-fit overly bright/badly positioned DRLs they bought in a kit from the local boot sale/ebay.
Consider this situation:
On the motorway, raining, lots of spray, late afternoon. You are approaching a slower car, and want to overtake. You check your mirrors, blind spot, etc. The full drill. Carefully, too, on account of the conditions. As you move out, some moron bowls along the overtaking lane, way above what is a safe speed for the conditions, and he's not bothered to turn on his headlights.
Would you prefer it to be an older model without DRLs, in which case you stand of good chance of not seeing him, and being rear-ended for your troubles? Or, do you see the DRLs in the mirror, safely abort the overtake, and swear at the oaf under your breath, secretly thankful that the decision of whether or not to show light at the front of his car was taken out of his hands by some Brussels-based bureaucrat?
DRLs might be distracting, but I seriously doubt that they are likely to dazzle or blind oncoming traffic, as they are LED emitters, without focusing lenses, and can therefore not throw the light which they produce into a concentrated beam.
Between you, me, and the internet, I don't care much for DRLs either way. I have them because they were fitted at the factory by Ford. If they hadn't fitted them, I wouldn't be that bothered. I was trained to drive properly, and am capable of switching on my lights when the light begins to fade. I do not think that DRLs make a car 'look cool' nor do I think they detract from it's appearance. I trust the manufacturer's design team to come up with an aesthetically pleasing way to incorporate them into a car, and I can make a decision whether or not to buy a particular model/brand for myself.
You may think I am some kind of w
ker for driving around with my DRLs on all day, burning out people's retinas, and leaving great swathes of dead and dying drivers being cut from their crashed cars in my wake. This, surprisingly, is far from the truth. I reckon that there hasn't been a single accident or near miss as a result of me using DRLs since I bought the car in December, and I don't suspect that it's likely that my DRLs will become killers in the future either.
I gave no thought to whether my next car had DRLs or not. Important considerations were practicality, performance, handling, and comfort, allied with an appealing shape and exterior finish. Several models fitted the bill with some compromise, but the Mondeo was the least compromised when considered against ALL of the criteria. So I bought one. I drive it. I don't concern myself about the DRLs - they are on, I live with it. Perhaps you should too.
Current car - '12 plate Mondeo = DRLs that come on when the ignition goes on, and don't go off until the ignition goes off. Unless the headlights go on, in which case the DRLs go off (it's one or t'other not both at t'same time). DRLs cannot be turned off, by design. Neither are they an option which can be 'unticked' on new cars, as European legislation seems to insist they are fitted to all volume production cars at the factory.
Old car - '52 plate Vectra = No DRLs. If it was very overcast, or starting to get dark of an evening, I had to remember to switch on my sidelights or dipped headlights. Not a problem for me, but seemed to be difficult for a lot of idiots who would drive at upwards of 80 mph at dusk in pouring rain without any lights at all.
Try to think, before jumping on the anti-DRL bandwagon. When you've had a little think, form an opinion based on your own experience, not a regurgitated ball of drivel you happened to see on the internet somewhere. DRLs are here to stay. The only real debate should be about legislation regarding the stupid fools who retro-fit overly bright/badly positioned DRLs they bought in a kit from the local boot sale/ebay.
Consider this situation:
On the motorway, raining, lots of spray, late afternoon. You are approaching a slower car, and want to overtake. You check your mirrors, blind spot, etc. The full drill. Carefully, too, on account of the conditions. As you move out, some moron bowls along the overtaking lane, way above what is a safe speed for the conditions, and he's not bothered to turn on his headlights.
Would you prefer it to be an older model without DRLs, in which case you stand of good chance of not seeing him, and being rear-ended for your troubles? Or, do you see the DRLs in the mirror, safely abort the overtake, and swear at the oaf under your breath, secretly thankful that the decision of whether or not to show light at the front of his car was taken out of his hands by some Brussels-based bureaucrat?
DRLs might be distracting, but I seriously doubt that they are likely to dazzle or blind oncoming traffic, as they are LED emitters, without focusing lenses, and can therefore not throw the light which they produce into a concentrated beam.
Between you, me, and the internet, I don't care much for DRLs either way. I have them because they were fitted at the factory by Ford. If they hadn't fitted them, I wouldn't be that bothered. I was trained to drive properly, and am capable of switching on my lights when the light begins to fade. I do not think that DRLs make a car 'look cool' nor do I think they detract from it's appearance. I trust the manufacturer's design team to come up with an aesthetically pleasing way to incorporate them into a car, and I can make a decision whether or not to buy a particular model/brand for myself.
You may think I am some kind of w
ker for driving around with my DRLs on all day, burning out people's retinas, and leaving great swathes of dead and dying drivers being cut from their crashed cars in my wake. This, surprisingly, is far from the truth. I reckon that there hasn't been a single accident or near miss as a result of me using DRLs since I bought the car in December, and I don't suspect that it's likely that my DRLs will become killers in the future either. I gave no thought to whether my next car had DRLs or not. Important considerations were practicality, performance, handling, and comfort, allied with an appealing shape and exterior finish. Several models fitted the bill with some compromise, but the Mondeo was the least compromised when considered against ALL of the criteria. So I bought one. I drive it. I don't concern myself about the DRLs - they are on, I live with it. Perhaps you should too.
My Fiesta has LED DRL's fitted in the headlamp itself. They point upwards instead of downwards like the dipped headlights do. Like the guy with the Mondeo says mine are on all the time - when the headlights are on they dip down to act as sidelights. They also dip when the indicator is activated - this is so you can see the indicator clearly.
I think theyre a good idea personally - I struggle to see how they dazzle whilst i notice cars with DRL's fitted more they certainly have never dazzled me. Surely the sun bouncing off of a cars bonnet etc is brighter and more dazzling or are we going to have a rant about that and make sure everyones cars are dirty so they dont dazzle...
I think theyre a good idea personally - I struggle to see how they dazzle whilst i notice cars with DRL's fitted more they certainly have never dazzled me. Surely the sun bouncing off of a cars bonnet etc is brighter and more dazzling or are we going to have a rant about that and make sure everyones cars are dirty so they dont dazzle...
Does anyone know why DRLs are required on the front, but not on the back of cars?
The rear lights are there already, and you'd be ble to tell if a car parked at the side of the road had it's engine running and was therefore more likely to pull away. A handy thing to know on a road with lots of street parking.
The rear lights are there already, and you'd be ble to tell if a car parked at the side of the road had it's engine running and was therefore more likely to pull away. A handy thing to know on a road with lots of street parking.
yellowjack said:
I gave no thought to whether my next car had DRLs or not. Important considerations were practicality, performance, handling, and comfort, allied with an appealing shape and exterior finish. Several models fitted the bill with some compromise, but the Mondeo was the least compromised when considered against ALL of the criteria. So I bought one. I drive it. I don't concern myself about the DRLs - they are on, I live with it. Perhaps you should too.
For goodness sakes man what are you saying, this is piston heads, DRL's are dazzling hateful things that kill millions of people and cute small fury creatures every single month!They are the scourge of this pleasant land and will have us tumbling into the abyss in the imminent future!
I cant understand why we don't get threads started by f
ktards who cant cope with the thought of other people having active corning lights too. I have both uber bright LED DRL's (similar in light output to the sun so i am led to believe) and also active cornering lights that blind people and drivers to my left and right when i turn corners, do i care, do i fk. I can afford to run new cars, so i do and as you correctly point out these features come as standard and thus are fitted. You can't un-spec them so i am not entirely sure what all these sad bloody moaners expect those of us who have them fitted to do?Perhaps we should all cover them up in tape until MOT time, them we can remove the tape, get the ticket and retape just so that i don't cause people to go blind....
AW111 said:
It would be interesting if someone could dig up a link to answer the OP's original question, what are the regs re brightness, pattern etc. I am not looking to join an argument about DRL's, just curious about what the maximum legal brightness is (UK / EUR).
I can find no mention of DRLs in Schedule 1 of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (UK Law). The only version of RVLRs I could find on the web is the original document without revisions. I assume that legislation regarding DRLs would be written into a revision of the RVLRs, or manufacturers would find themselves at odds with the law. Also, to include something new as standard costs money, so a car maker probably would not fit something such as DRLs as standard unless they were required to by law. ETA:
I lie like cheap Japanese watch. I had another quick look and found this...
http://www.businesscarmanager.co.uk/the-law-and-da...
...which does not quote WHICH law is relevant, but does appear to come from a reliable source, and gives guidance regarding the dates from when DRLs became a requirement on NEW vehicles.
Extracts from the article:
"To increase road safety, the European Commission has decided to introduce dedicated Daytime Running Light (DRL) on all new types of motor vehicles from February 2011 onwards."
"The introduction of dedicated DRL became mandatory from 7 February 2011 onwards on all new types of passenger cars and small delivery vans. Trucks and buses will follow 18 months later (August 2012)."
Much of the remainder of the piece is conjecture/opinion, but may be worth a scan.
Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 9th April 11:51
Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 9th April 11:52
Captain Muppet said:
Does anyone know why DRLs are required on the front, but not on the back of cars?
I guess because rear lamps are barely visible in daylight there would be no point. They couldn't make them brighter either, as it would mask the brake lights. You are also unlikely to be hit by a car travelling away from you. 
Some BMWs from about 2007-2012 had the rear lamps lit as part of their DRLs, but apparently it was a mistake and a software update turns them off.
I personally think DRLs are a brilliant idea - there is no doubt they make cars more visible.
David87 said:
Captain Muppet said:
Does anyone know why DRLs are required on the front, but not on the back of cars?
I guess because rear lamps are barely visible in daylight there would be no point. They couldn't make them brighter either, as it would mask the brake lights. You are also unlikely to be hit by a car travelling away from you. Some BMWs from about 2007-2012 had the rear lamps lit as part of their DRLs, but apparently it was a mistake and a software update turns them off.
I personally think DRLs are a brilliant idea - there is no doubt they make cars more visible.
Captain Muppet said:
Does anyone know why DRLs are required on the front, but not on the back of cars?
The rear lights are there already, and you'd be ble to tell if a car parked at the side of the road had it's engine running and was therefore more likely to pull away. A handy thing to know on a road with lots of street parking.
The rear lights are there already, and you'd be ble to tell if a car parked at the side of the road had it's engine running and was therefore more likely to pull away. A handy thing to know on a road with lots of street parking.
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