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Daytime Running Lights

30 messages, Last post on Feb 17, 2008 at 3:54 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety

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#1 of 30 Daytime Running Lights by dranoel Oct 28, 2006 (1:00 pm)
What's the story with DRLs, some have been around since 1995 ? There are many kinds: high beam, low beam, parking light, dedicated DRL, fog light, low power, mid power, high power, yellow, white, etc.--no standard. The NHTSA has allowed this confusion to exist for over 10 years. Also they evidently have insufficient data as to the effectiveness of DRL as they have never been mandated. Replies to this message: nortsr1 (Oct 28, 2006 2:42 pm) dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 6:26 am) nortsr1 (Oct 31, 2006 7:24 am) and 1 more... bumpy (Oct 31, 2006 10:29 am)
#2 of 30 Re: Daytime Running Lights [dranoel] by nortsr1 Oct 28, 2006 (2:42 pm)
Replying to: dranoel (Oct 28, 2006 1:00 pm) I believe they are mandated in Canada. I also believe all GM cars now come standard with DRL. Some studies have been made...but...I cannot refer any of them to you. Perhaps if you Google DRL studies???? Replies to this message: dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 6:26 am) nortsr1 (Oct 31, 2006 7:24 am) dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 9:18 am) bumpy (Oct 31, 2006 10:29 am)
#3 of 30 Re: Daytime Running Lights [nortsr1] by dranoel Oct 31, 2006 (6:26 am)
Replying to: nortsr1 (Oct 28, 2006 2:42 pm) Yes they have been mandatory in Canada for over 10 years. Also some Baltic countries also require them. I guess the thing that bothers me is the lack of direction by the NHTSA. GM petitioned the NHTSA in the early 1990s to allow them to experiment with DRLs, and they were granted permission.--well here we are better than a decade later and the industry is still experimenting-- as mentioned in my first post-many different DRL configurations-intensity, location, color, etc. I'm not convinced we need DRLS, if you need lights, there is always the light switch, however if DRLs are to be mandated there is the low to mid intensity yellow dedicated DRL seems to be the best in my opinion Replies to this message: nortsr1 (Oct 31, 2006 7:24 am) dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 9:18 am)
#4 of 30 Re: Daytime Running Lights [dranoel] by nortsr1 Oct 31, 2006 (7:24 am)
Replying to: dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 6:26 am) I cannot give you an opinion as to the "low to mid density yellow"; however, my wife drives a 2006 Caddy SRX and I , prior to just purchasing a PT Cruiser, had a Chevrolet Cobalt. Both the SRX and the prior Cobalt came with DRL's. My new PT does not have them. Personally, I am in favor of them, and now find myself turning on my parking lights during the daylight hours, when driving. The PT's in Canada have the DRL's, and yet, I have not found any PT forum that can provide any info as to retrofit the Canadian DRL's into the USA models (I know, made in Mexico). It seems we are not getting any other 'posters"? Replies to this message: dranoel (Oct 31, 2006 9:18 am)
#5 of 30 Re: Daytime Running Lights [nortsr1] by dranoel Oct 31, 2006 (9:18 am)
Replying to: nortsr1 (Oct 31, 2006 7:24 am) nortsr1, My experience with attempting to discuss the DRL issue with anyone, is most people have no real interest and/or understanding of the subject. The NHTSA has some anecdotal evidence that says DRLs reduce some type of auto and pedestrian accidents, but insufficient hard evidence to mandate DRLs. What type of DRL if any, is most effective? Why has is taken over 10 years and yet no results ? If the DRL is not the answer, let's get rid of it, if it is the answer then mandate it . We kill about 45,000 people a year in auto accidents--is anyone awake ? Now that I've got that out of my system I feel better----
#6 of 30 Re: Daytime Running Lights [nortsr1] by bumpy Oct 31, 2006 (10:29 am)
Replying to: nortsr1 (Oct 28, 2006 2:42 pm) I also believe all GM cars now come standard with DRL. The trucks do; I long ago stopped counting the number of late-model Colorados and Silverados I see with one of the parking light bulbs burned out.
#7 of 30 I am in favor of daytime running lights by john500 Oct 31, 2006 (11:36 am)
I agree that some standardization must be done. I believe that the lights should come on automatically at 100 % intensity(front and rear - as would happen if the light switch were used). I'm not sure how effective lights are, however, the absence of headlights has been stated to be the causative factor in countless accidents in the rain, on overcast days and at twilight. Therefore, the oral statement of "I didn't see the car because the lights weren't on." would be a thing of the past for insurance companies to consider (barring malfunction of the light). The rain sensors and optics sensors would be unnecessary if the lights simply came on. I've heard some motorcyclists allege that when DRL's are commonplace, a saturation effect occurs rendering them less useful (presumably a new level of driver awareness the dilutes the effectiveness of the lights). I am not in favor of the annoying chop lights or strobe lights (rapid off an on) that motorcyclists use to overcome this alleged saturation effect. Replies to this message: nortsr1 (Oct 31, 2006 1:27 pm) phastphil1 (Dec 22, 2006 6:12 am)
#8 of 30 Re: I am in favor of daytime running lights [john500] by nortsr1 Oct 31, 2006 (1:27 pm)
Replying to: john500 (Oct 31, 2006 11:36 am) I do not know what the law is in other states, but in NJ and Florida, when it is raining,(daylight hours) you must have your headlights on.Of course, I would recommend having them on at night.
#9 of 30 drl by oldharry Nov 05, 2006 (8:03 pm)
I believe DRLs should have some light at the rear. My car has them, and automatic headlights, but on fairly bright rainy days there are no automatic lights in the rear. Harry Replies to this message: john_324 (Nov 06, 2006 3:01 pm) dranoel (Nov 12, 2006 2:27 pm) dtownfb (Nov 13, 2006 9:07 am) joewalls (Jan 17, 2007 3:41 pm) and 1 more...
#10 of 30 Re: drl [oldharry] by john_324 Nov 06, 2006 (3:01 pm)
Replying to: oldharry (Nov 05, 2006 8:03 pm) I'm still waiting for when we finally switch taillight colors, so they light up yellow when the car is in motion, but switch to red when the driver hits the brakes... Replies to this message: dranoel (Nov 12, 2006 2:27 pm) dtownfb (Nov 13, 2006 9:07 am) joewalls (Jan 17, 2007 3:41 pm) 210delray (Jan 17, 2007 6:36 pm)

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