Daytime Running Lamps

[NAFairlane]

anyone able to shed any light on the purpose of daytime running lamps or just people putting their headlights on during the day? Also why they do they make it so you cant turn them off in some cars? I just dont understand the point.

[fmc351]

Some believe it makes them more visible, whats to understand?

Same reason motorcyclists use the headlight during the day. I always do it on a bike, and the car if the weather is bad.

[NickyN]

It comes down to safety. These daytime running lights increase visibility. Driver's see oncoming cars with their daylight running lights on earlier than without lights on.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Americans were some of the first to introduce DRL's especially on motorbikes etc.

The studies that have been carried out show that the extra visability in the day can reduce the chances of having an accident. I happen to agree with this after travelling many 1,000's of kms on highways and rural roads certain coloured cars just blend in with the horizon, especially silvers and dark greys.

The safest rural cars to have are white or bright red but yes the DRL's can increase visability an extra km or so.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by NickyN

It comes down to safety. These daytime running lights increase visibility. Driver's see oncoming cars with their daylight running lights on earlier than without lights on.

Only in some situations. Other times it is bloody dangerous.

If you are travelling towards something that is bright like the setting or rising sun the the headlights actually diffuse the silhouette of oncoming vehicles making it VERY difficult to see them.

[fairBA]

as useful as rain sensing wipers.

[jamesson1980]

Originally Posted by fairBA

as useful as rain sensing wipers.

.. and look not unlike the string of half busted globes thrown across the top of a circus tent.

[TheInterceptor]

To me, they seem about as effective as turning on your headlights.

[ZA-289]

To me they are just a new name for fog lights but you cant get fined for having them on during the day.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by ZA-289

but you cant get fined for having them on during the day.

You can in Victoria, they changed the law to say "yellow or white fog lights", so the law encompasses all those tossers who drive around with them on, both at day and at night. So here in Victoria they are refered to as "fog lights" coz the law says so.

The law says quite clearly you can have them on during "adverse conditions", meaning fog or heavy rain, etc, day or night time are not considered "adverse" enough.

[psychoticgroove]

It's a warning light.
'****3r inside'

[XRFutura]

My understanding is, daytime running lights are comming in due to the changing of european vehicle regulations, as i understand all new release cars in europe must have these fitted as standard. Studies over in europe have found the risk of being involved in an accident is reduced with vehicles using DRLs compared to vehicles without. Also due to europe having significantly short days during the winter months.

This might be part of the reason why the HSV E2 and E3 range have DRLs is because they would have been sold in england (before the sale of opal/vauxhall which the sale got cancelled), which the DRL regulations have come into effect as well.

[jpd80]

The main areas for DRL are Europe and Canada where daylight conditions tend to be much duller
and overcast than Australia. Once you make something compulsory, the intention becomes
secondary to enforcement and fines.....

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by psychoticgroove

It's a warning light.
'****3r inside'

agree 100% - rep for you

[Brazen]

Telstra is self-insured, all their cars have daytime running lights. That gives you some perspective on their effectiveness on reducing accidents.

[Trevor 57]

Which is contrary to Victorian law, be interested to know how they got around that.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

Which is contrary to Victorian law, be interested to know how they got around that.

Its not against the law to have your headlights on during the day..

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Its not against the law to have your headlights on during the day..

I agree, but that is NOT what Brazen said, he was talking about Telstra and daytime driving lights, which is another term for "white or yellow fog lights"

[mac_man_luke]

telstra just have the headlights wired so they cant be turned off

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

I agree, but that is NOT what Brazen said, he was talking about Telstra and daytime driving lights, which is another term for "white or yellow fog lights"

But as far as i can see, Telstra's version of DRL's are having the headlights wired up to turn on when the car is started, not using any aux lamps.

[Trevor 57]

I think you are right TheInterceptor

[XCwillo]

I always have my headlights on when i drive. For the sole reason it makes the car look meaner and alive!

[Riksta]

I'm one of these people who will turn headlights on if it isn't a bright clear sunny day just to aid visibility of my car.

On a nice sunny day, during the day, I won't, but if its cloudy or darkish, I'll flick them on.

I have been thinking of fitting some LED DRL's to the front of the Zetec just to help in situations where I probably don't need the headlights but would like that extra bit of visibility, LED's last longer than globes and would save the odd globe burning out.

I don't think they are anywhere near as bright or annoying as fog lights. I've had Audi's and the like head towards me on a dull day without too much of a blink, as opposed to the odd XR6 or the like with their foggies on which are much more bright and dazzling.

Interesting to note that they can be classed as foglights, and fine drivers with them on, in Victoria. Don't some cars have DRL's that are on whenever the car is running from the factory? Surely you can't be fined for something that's on because the factory designed it that way? Would almost be like getting a defect in a Lamborghini for your car being too low or something!

[ebxr8240]

Here we go again !!!

[Trevor 57]

I will always run my headlights when on a lengthy trip, but don't turn them on during the daytime around town unless it is pretty ****** weather.

[Dave_au]

I'm sure the next gen of Falcons will incorporate DRLS

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by psychoticgroove

It's a warning light.
'****3r inside'

Agreed. Disappointing to see AU and BA/BF Falcon owners putting them on their rides.

The car isn't a new European car, so why bother? It's like putting FPV badges on an XT.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Telstra is self-insured, all their cars have daytime running lights. That gives you some perspective on their effectiveness on reducing accidents.

Telstra?

The mob that allow V8 Commodores & Falcons as fleet vehicles except those that have upgraded brakes or handling?
The mob that require the use of 91 RON fuel regardless of what the manufacturer recommends?
The mob that excommunicated their largest dealer in the country (Crazy Johns) costing them $300,000,000 in lost revinue over myopic bloodyminded refusal to accept market trends.

Yeh they always make logical and sensible decisions.

Bureaucracy in Telstra makes local councils look efficient and flexible......

About 15 years ago a former employee of mine was working for a contracting company in Canberra investigating various methodologies of reducing the road toll of motorcyclists.
They were told that any data regarding permanently on headlights was to be ignored unless it was supportive as this was a previous policy decission and as such is immutable.

[ebxr8240]

Yep never investigate anything unless you know the result first !!...
I would say
Especially out of Canberra...

[MAD]

Originally Posted by Riksta

I don't think they are anywhere near as bright or annoying as fog lights. I've had Audi's and the like head towards me on a dull day without too much of a blink, as opposed to the odd XR6 or the like with their foggies on which are much more bright and dazzling.

Interesting to note that they can be classed as foglights, and fine drivers with them on, in Victoria. Don't some cars have DRL's that are on whenever the car is running from the factory? Surely you can't be fined for something that's on because the factory designed it that way? Would almost be like getting a defect in a Lamborghini for your car being too low or something!

DRL's can not be mistaken for fog lights.
DRL's turn off as soon as you turn your headlights on.
One method of DRL is to run the highbeams at about 50%. (Honda Accord and VW Golf come to mind)