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Daytime running lights don't illuminate rear lights - why?

My neighbour has recently taken delivery of a new Vauxhall car with automatic lights. Recently, during heavy rain, I watched her leave home and put her headlights on due to poor visibility. I was horrified to see that no lights at the rear of the car were activated. Having now seen many other new Vauxhall cars in similar weather conditions all with headlights on, but no rear lights at all, I fear for their safety and legality. Is this normal with automatic lights or just a problem with Vauxhall cars?

Asked on 19 May 2012 by HS, Ludlow

Answered by Honest John
These are daytime running lights, not headlights. They normally go on when the car is started and stay on all the time. If the car has automatic lights and these are activated, a dusk sensor switches on both headlights and tail lights.
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