Let’s start with an admission, I have an Audi RS4, it has optional Daytime Running Lights (DRL) – and on my version, they are standard incandescent (halogen) bulbs.
I will also admit that I do occasionally have them turned on.
There – those admissions are out of the way.
I however, have a bit of a problem with DRLs.
The problem I have with DRLs is how they are almost ubiquitous on new cars and they all have one flaw in common, with a notable exception, Volvo. (maybe the now defunct SAAB)
Interestingly, the reason they are ubiquitious, is EU law.
It’s stated here, which basically states that it is a requirement for all new cars and small vans registered after Feb 2011 must be equipped daytime running lights.
The flaw ?
The requirement is only for the *front* of the car, mainly for pedestrians and cyclists.
So – why is that so bad ?
Well, it isn’t for cyclists and pedestrians, it does give them a greater chance of seeing cars that are coming towards them before they cross the road.
However… let’s get back to other road users, and take a look from behind.
The are a awful large proportion of people these days that have no idea how and when to use lights in inclement weather, and let’s be honest, Britain isn’t exactly known for it’s periods of unbroken stunning sunshine.
This spring for example has seen the wettest April in 100 years, (or Oxford, wettest since records began) – and May hasn’t exactly been better.
The problem with all this rain, at least car related, is that with the large, wide wheels on modern cars, the resultant huge quantity of spray that is kicked up on the motorways can, and regularly does, make visibility horrendous.
Now, as all these people with DRLs go, “I have DRL, no need to turn my lights on, I’m OK”……
HMMM – as so back to the flaw.
DRLs are only on the *front* of the car – which means that all the spray makes the rear of the car almost impossible to see – even more so as these idiots haven’t got their lights on – the proper lights, the dipped lights that actually turn on the rear running lights on a car, the ones that make the rear of the car visible, like they do in the dark at night.
These idiots, I’m not going to call them drivers, as they aren’t, they are passengers with a wheel in front of them, with no clue about what is going on around them, are putting lives of innocent drivers, and any passengers at risk of serious injury or worse, and are effectively got the backing from the EU with the DRL legislation.
Now, the blame isn’t 100% with the drivers of these modern cars.
Some significant blame has to be apportioned to both the manufacturers of the cars, and to the UK and EU legislators for making cars with DRLs that only specify that the DRL are on the front of the car – and not the front and back.
The other issue I have a problem with, and I have seen this more with Mercedes cars than any other cars – is the use of automatic headlights.
There is a very good case for having technology that automates things, but technology has a limit – in the case of automatic lights, there is a sensor that determines how dark it is must be for the lights to be activated.
Trouble is with that there are a number of situations where there is enough light, but visibility isn’t good enough, such conditions can easily be found in heavy rain, with lots of standing water, or fog.
Fog is an interesting one, it can be bright enough to make you squint, but the actual visibility can be horrendously poor – and this is what confuses the automatic sensors on the automatic lighting controls on the cars.
Trouble there – the drivers are so reliant on the technology, they don’t think to do what they must do according to the Highway Code – at minimum, turn their dipped lights on.
They may even think if they have DRL, “I’m ok – I have DRL” – but that isn’t the case – I may be able to see them in my rear-view mirror if they are behind me, however…. and here is, to my mind, the crucial bit………….. I can’t see them when I am behind them.
Volvo know this, their daytime running lights are at both ends of the car… that makes them the safest option.
Question is – why haven’t other manufactures understood this and acted accordingly ?
And the deeper question – why hasn’t the EU realised this, and acted done the right thing and when they mandated DRL for the front of the car, acted with overall safety in mind, and mandated DRL for the read as well ??
After all, the whole reason stated for the DRL EU legislation is safety…
Quoting from the URL ealier,…. “In countries where DRL is already obligatory it has been hailed as a very positive development in the field of road safety.”
Come on people – wake up…
Use your lights appropriately – and EU …… well, slap!, smell the coffee…
