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Daytime Running Lights

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

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#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)
#11 of 30 Re: drl [john_324] by dranoel Nov 12, 2006 (2:27 pm)
Replying to: john_324 (Nov 06, 2006 3:01 pm) Well this is only #11 post since 10/28/06, and I've done 3 of them, I guess there's not much interest in this unadultrated mess of DRLs cause by inaction of the NHTSA--so be it. Replies to this message: dtownfb (Nov 13, 2006 9:07 am) joewalls (Jan 17, 2007 3:41 pm) 210delray (Jan 17, 2007 6:36 pm)
#12 of 30 Re: drl [dranoel] by dtownfb Nov 13, 2006 (9:07 am)
Replying to: dranoel (Nov 12, 2006 2:27 pm) DRL are standard in Canada and other Baltic countries because of the sun and how it shines on countries north of us. having the lights on at all times, makes it easier to see cars during certain times of day when the angle of the sun can blind you. (I read this years ago) While this may be beneficial in the northern US states, it is not so much the case in our southern states which is why I believe the NHTSA has been slow/hesistant to require this feature. GM made the decision to include DRL in all cars as a cost saving/quality control move. Much easier to make this feature standard on all vehicles. some manufacturers have followed suit, most haven't. but if it is important to you, it is easy to search for vehicles that have DRL.   Personally, I would love to see this feature standard. It is unintrusive and I haven't seen it burn more bulbs (or use more fuel; yes opponents of DRLs claim lower mpg) in any of my cars that have had it. If it has proven to save even one life and it doesn't hurt me or the car, I'll take it. It gets crazy on these roads. Need all the help i can get.
#13 of 30 I like current GM practice... by john_324 Nov 13, 2006 (10:30 am)
...having the parking lights as DRLs. Looks elegant, and much better than the original version.   I used to own a mid-1990s Chevy Beretta that came standard with DRLs. Problem was they were simply the high-beams illuminated at 50% power. It looked terrible I thought, and I would constantly get people telling me that "my lights were on" (which they were, of course).   Even worse though was they were coupled to a sensor that automatically turned on the head lights to "normal" when it determined it was dark out. Being a typical GM product, the sensor was overly sensitive, so a cloud going over the sun briefly would result in the DRLs going out and the low beams coming on. Replies to this message: dtownfb (Nov 15, 2006 9:42 am)
#14 of 30 Re: I like current GM practice... [john_324] by dtownfb Nov 15, 2006 (9:42 am)
Replying to: john_324 (Nov 13, 2006 10:30 am) My Olds Intrigue uses the turn signals. I like it except they screwed up the design of the passenger side turn signal. Every few years you need to replace the socket.
#15 of 30 DRLs and tickets by bryan Dec 13, 2006 (12:02 pm)
I drive every weekend from Northern VA to the Delaware shore. Headlight usage is mandatory on Route 404, a two-lane highway that runs from Maryland through Delaware.   I have DRLs on my current GM vehicles. However, my 95 Cutlass convertible did not have DLRs, so I routinely turned on the parking and fog lights. About four years ago I was stopped on Route 404 by the State Police because I did not have the headlights on, and when I said I thought the parking and fog lights would suffice, well, let's say that dog did not hunt!   However, because all the car's occupants were seat-belted, I got off with a written warning. I think it was really a click it or ticket-type stop, and the "no headlights" was the excuse used to stop me. When I traded that car almost three years ago, it was mandatory the replacement had DLRs, and not the amber parking light type you see on the Caddy SRX and CTS. I bought a Pontiac instead of a Caddy for just that reason!   I have encountered several state and county police on that road since, and never had another problem. I also can see their safety value. I have not had any headlight bulb burnouts either, so as far as I'm concerned, DLRs are fine.
#16 of 30 Re: I am in favor of daytime running lights [john500] by phastphil1 Dec 22, 2006 (6:12 am)
Replying to: john500 (Oct 31, 2006 11:36 am) John500, as a motorcyclist, I do not like DRL's. I can attest that drivers are less prone to seeing my lone headlight as more cars come with DRL's. I now ride with my high beam on during daylight hours, and people still miss me, and I'm not a small person, and I ride a 750cc bike. It's the same as when the center stop lamp came out. You noticed the few cars that had them until all the cars had them.

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