Drivers confused by daytime running lights

   on 6 December 2018

Totally agree with hissingsid above. Worse still, drivers with daytime running lights (DRLs) may believe that it is unnecessary to switch on their headlights (and therefore tail lights) in conditions of poor visibility.

I always drive with my lights on, (older car without DRLs), especially in the rain, or on motorways etc. in order to maximise safety.

The headlights consume more energy and therefore fuel, than the low wattage LED DRLs.

So, compared to driving on "dipped beam" and tail lights, DRLs would save fuel, but for a REDUCED level of safety !!!

Surely it would be sensible to have both front and REAR daytime lights?

gavsmit    on 7 December 2018

All good comments here, but i also get my driving lights triggering road rage too.

There's a fad with some people (especially boy / girl racers) to drive along with sidelights and fog-lights on instead of dipped headlights at night - i assume it makes their car look lower to the ground and more 'sporty'. This has caused a bit of a backlash from some motorists.

Where the driving light LEDs are set low on my car, thus look like fog lights, I regularly get people flashing at me and shouting "it isn't foggy you idiot" but unfortunately I can't turn them off unless i do something drastic to stop them working altogether.

Another observation is that the LED driving lights on my car are actually brighter than not just the sidelights but my dipped headlamps too - so no wonder some people are driving around at night with just driving lamps on and no rear sidelights (i.e. not understanding how these things work).

Citroenut from Citroenet    on 8 December 2018

On most modern cars, It is possible to configure DRLs so that the side lights come on too when the engine is started.

H-P VERHOEVEN    on 8 December 2018

This is typical of what happens when ill-judged and poorly implemented law (European) meets with half-witted users. As a regular driver on the M25 one sees it all and this lack of awareness of lighting requirements to the rear of a vehicle is widespread. Personally I subscribe to the Nordic rules; if you switch on the engine you switch on the headlights, summer or winter, day or night. Sod the expense.

jchinuk    on 10 December 2018

I think that most cars have 'automatic' lights these days, so the headlights come on automatically in the dark anyway. My pet hate are those folk who switch on their front / rear fog light, but then forget to turn them off, so (usually) early the following morning drive off with every available light glowing.

James Duffin    on 10 December 2018

A lot of cars with daytime running lights also light up the dashboard, making drivers think that their lights are already on. The dashboard shouldn't be lit up unless the actual headlights are on.

Daytime running lights also appear bright enough to be used as headlights by some cars.

The design is flawed and needs to be addressed!

Karen's kars    on 10 December 2018

Is it a good idea for vehicles daytime lights pulling at your eyes,I find most of them annoying and some of them so bright they hurt your eyes. Its typical that this stupid idea has come from the EU, we all have side lights so why do we have to run around in a Xmas tree, there seems to be a race on to see who can provide the best Bejazzle. I read a report last month that some o fthese Bejazzled units cost upto £865 to replace, these are a backward step IMHO.

PaulWoods2    on 10 December 2018

I cannot see a reason for the rear lights to be unlit.
The important thing is that a moving car can be visible by day or by night. The problems created by a car passing from light to shade are present to both front and rear. It should be able to alert all road users that the vehicle is in (or intended to be) in motion, and that a conscious awareness is instilled.

Bill Hawthorn    on 10 December 2018

With a Skoda Octavia ( 2015) (DRL) if the light levels fall to the point where you need to switch on the lights the instrument lighting switches off to remind you to turn on the headlights.
Bill from Hayling

Wisp324    on 10 December 2018

Having run a few cars with DRLs over the past few years, there is a tendency for the instrument panel, even if only the speedo and rev counter, to be lit as well. I suspect that many drivers associate the backlit speedo with lights being on.

Even worse, a family VW Fox had a backlit speedo and no DRLs!

Maybe the answer is to legislate for auto headlights as this is a safety issue?

   on 10 December 2018

I also believe that dashboard panel lights which are illuminated all the time lead drivers to believe exterior lights are on in the dark.

keith higgs    on 10 December 2018

The more we make things 'auto' the less likely people are to engage their brains and actually put THEMSELVES in control. I drive long distances every day in all conditions and there are a significant number of people driving with DRLs with no rear lights on in the pitch dark let alone in poor visibility. Also see loads of people driving on sidelights in the dark/poor visibility! We need to educate people not automate these things. Auto this that and the other just makes people forget they need to be in control. I was even passenger in a car once in the dark and the driver did no know how to turn the lights on. She always had them set to auto, but someone else had driven the car and switched them to manual. We were driving on the A40 in rush hour in london in the dark on DRLs and it was so dangerous.
Equally crap are these new indicator systems that toggle. I constantly see people indicating left then right then left trying to turn them off on dual carriageways. Awful design that is not needed!

Kenneth Gall    on 10 December 2018

DRL's - fog/spot lights - xenon' headlights usually poorly adjusted despite being labelled "self adjusting" . I am frequently dazzled by oncoming vehicles often with the full array of illumination at the front end blazing away. Just shows - you cant legislate for common sense.

Chris Ottewell    on 10 December 2018

Never mind the DLRS, the lights I find annoying, confusing and dangerous are those fitted under the bumpers of VW's Audis etc which keep lighting up on one side or the other according to the steering wheel position. I can't believe that such a stupid idea is legal.

Nick Allen    on 10 December 2018

Never seen the point of running with lights on in good visibility/sunny days, just makes motor cycles harder to spot, DRL,s should be restricted to motor cycles and compulsory .

S91S91    on 10 December 2018

Its about time they removed "parking lights/side lights" from cars to stop idiots driving in town with them.

DUNCAN CAMPBELL    on 10 December 2018

My old Audi has an 'Auto' option on the dash light switch so I just leave it on Auto and let the car system decide. However, when it comes back from various garages I have to check as they seem to switch it off.

Graham Tucker    on 10 December 2018

Its a complete nonsense to switch on front lights without rears !

I just checked my Volvo and see that, contrary to the norm, rears come on with the fronts. I have to admit it never occurred to me that this wouldn't be the case.

Ianmenai    on 10 December 2018

Land Rover in their infinite wisdom have the Discovery, Discovery Sport and Range Rover all having Daylight running lights illuminated at the front AND rear, why then do the latest Evoques only have daylight running lights illuminated at the front only?!
I have made an enquiry through Land Rover customer service and have e been told they can't turn the rears on as well!
To my mind it is dangerous NOT to have rear lights on in the wet weather conditions we are experiencing at the moment, will Land Rover take some responsibility in an accident?

James Dore    on 10 December 2018

I don't know how people can be confused, it's described clearly in the manual for each car.

DrTeeth    on 10 December 2018

I have access to a car with daytime lights. When driving at night, the instrument panel is also illuminated and when I first got the car thought that the headlights were on too as the DRLs are so bright.

Paul Goodchild    on 10 December 2018

My FIAT Tipo has DRL's but they turn on the rear lights as well, I have seen this with a few makes of cars as well. I don't agree with people who forgot that their fog lights were on, they turn of automatically every time you turn off the engine, you have to remember to switch them on! These drivers dazzle oncoming drivers constantly, I spoke to a retired police pursuit driver and he reckoned they caused more deaths than drunk drivers but they weren't sexy enough crime to pursue. Even worse are those that put their "side lights" on with their fog lights. Double fault as they are actually parking lights nowadays and not bright enough to be seen from a distance or at speed.

Nick Bishop    on 10 December 2018

How about manufacturers linking windscreen wipers to headlights too? When you need your wipers on, chances are you need headlights too for improved visibility.

crynshame    on 10 December 2018

As a driver for 58 years I find this nonsense irritating. Anyone who cant see me on the road on a bright sunny afternoon should not be driving period.I have found drivers running with dipped headlights in the afternoon which are blinding.

farmideas    on 10 December 2018

Vehicle lighting regulations are a nightmare. As editor of Practical Farm Ideas I am constantly being asked whether tractor drivers are allowed to use their rear working lights and the answer is an emphatic 'No' though the practice remains common. They want their tractor to not only be visible, but be seen as something big and slow. They have safety in mind. Not the youngster who has dimmed rear lights, and searchlights in front. Or the goon who sprays their car matt grey like a stealth bomber. Or the idiot who fits a loud exhaust, maybe with a backfire valve. These cars need 1. have their illegal lights failed on MOT. 2 be stopped by patrol to check whether the modifications have been registered with the insurance company. I do too many miles to know that driving is a macho sport, and those that still think it is need educating.

gmullen    on 10 December 2018

My car (Mazda 6) was registered in May 2012 and definitely does not have DLS’s.

Spe    on 10 December 2018

DRL's are one thing it's drivers in daylight but foggy conditions that are a menace, They have their main lights on auto and assume, wrongly, that they turn on when it's foggy, which they don't.
At least with DRL's they have front lighting of sorts, as for the back forget it.

big mal    on 10 December 2018

I think the issue is more to do with digital dashboards! In theold days your speedo was a “mechanical clock”. It was only illuminated at night, when your front & rear lights were on. So if you were driving around at night, and couldn’t see your speedo, it was a visual clue you’d forgotten to put your lights on.

But today’s digital dashboards are illuminated both day and night (ok, maybe different brightness levels). So someone forgets to put any lights on, doesn’t get a visual clue from the dash, and by chance their DLRs are at least giving some front illumination.

AQ    on 10 December 2018

It was the Scandinavian winters (seldom gets very light) that led to daytime lighting being mandatory in those countries (all year, not just winter), but front and rear lighting has been the requirement there - very sensible - and they light up with the ignition. So why on earth did the EU legislation only insist on front DRLs ?

Ultimately, it is vehicle drivers who need to think about the driving conditions and switch on their lights when it starts to get dark or if it is dull, or even just raining, rather than relying on either DRLs or their automatic lights.

This is the danger of too much automation being fitted to cars - drivers are not using commonsense or judgement to decide when to switch on lights or wipers. I have also come to the conclusion that some seem to think their indicators will switch on automatically when needed.

   on 10 December 2018

The regulations for DRL on new cars changed in jan16 to include the rear lights because drivers were using DRL well into dark because they are ok to drive with, in towns. This then causes a problem when towing a caravan, because it lights 8 inefficient tungsten bulbs in the day. This wasting fuel. And the big white blob of a van doesn't need day lighting.

Robert McAuley    on 10 December 2018

I'm even more worried about the numerous motorists who in poor light have zero lights. I keep my car on AUTO and the sensors turn on the lights as it dulls in rain, mist, dusk.

Mickey Blue    on 10 December 2018

DLRs undoubtedly make spotting a car coming towards you SO MUCH easier, particularly dark coloured cars. Even two cars doing 30mph are approaching at 60 mph. Rear lights not so necessary as the approach speed is much less but there is obviously a case for having DLRs at the back as well.

It has to be said that any driver that does not realise they need to turn their headlights on in the dark and poor light should not be on the road.

TedTom    on 10 December 2018

One practice that annoys me are drivers who at night have a bad habit of keeping their foot on the break peddle casing the driver behind being blinded by their break lights. Have some courtesy for your fellow drivers.

Jeff Turner    on 10 December 2018

I have driven Volvo's for years and my first was 1978, 144, it had DLRL front and rear. Why has it taken so long for everyone else to catch up and then get it wrong?

   on 11 December 2018

You state they have been mandatory since 2011? My car is late 2012 and no DRL's. Also does anybody else find them a distraction? I find them too bright and my eyes always seem to be drawn towards them! I wish we didn't have them.

Wisp324    on 11 December 2018

The answer to the issue around brake lights on or off and engine on or off particulalry with autos is in the hands of the manufacturers. My Golf R had auto hold which applied the brakes and turned the engine off when in queuing traffic.
Our BMW 218 Tourer does not have that feature, it's an extra cost, very tiresome and no fun for the car behind.

Model Flyer    on 11 December 2018

I find it hard to believe that drivers take the amount of extra fuel it takes to power the headlight s into account when using headlights for safety reasons . The statement that drivers eyes are drawn to the DRL is a proof that they draw attention to the car behind them . DRL's are a brilliant idea and yes the rear lights should be switched on as well , Manufacturers please note . The number of cars I see in bad weather driving without lights is scandalous . Perhaps more police patrol vehicles pulling drivers over for no lights or defective light would be a good idea or is that just wishful thinking?

Craig_    on 12 December 2018

Any issues with DRL should be directed towards the car manufacturers. A driver cannot control wheather rear lights come on along with front DRLs.

Edited by Craig_ on 12/12/2018 at 09:52

   on 12 December 2018

I drove back from a Durham midday on Tuesday, it was generally overcast which later became foggy with limited visibility. The number of cars driving with no rear lights was very worrying. As I passed them the majority had daytime running lights on. Should the police be publicising this problem and could the HA use the warning signs to remind these daft drivers to switch their lights on

gordonbennet    on 12 December 2018

I'm with some of the old school views here, this fad for lights and brighter than everyone else is getting beyond the joke. As someone said above, if on a normal day sunshine or not in Britain, if you can't see a car approaching unless it's lit up like blackpool then maybe its time to walk down the nick and hand your licence in.

Not only are motorcycles and cyclists now disappearing behind this wall of light (some cyclists are fighting back with super nukem whiter than ever lights, which is helping no end :-) now the poor old pedestrian hasn't got a hope in hell of being spotted.

It wasn't so many years ago that when driving in London at night we were all on sidelight only, this enabled night vision to be kept and unlit objects ie pedestrians, didn't vanish into the stark dark beyond the end pattern of these increasingly brighter, and far too camp, lights.

Don't get me started on umpteen million candlepower led brake lights currently favoured by high image German cars, so bright in fact with fast flicker (some can see this effect some can't) leds which are almost impossible to detect rate of deceleration when following, so don't get any ideas super nukem lights make you any safer, because they don't.

But this is the lights wars, each new must have model must have more camper brighter lights still, sooner or later some clot will come up with a design where the whole bodyshell becomes on massive led.

These new cars full of electronic tat are not easier to drive for drivers, they are designed for people who don't know how to drive, ie electric parking brakes and hill hold, if you can't control a modern car on an incline what on earth are you doing with a licence.

It's gone beyond ridiculous now, we are entering the time of the surreal.

Edited by gordonbennet on 12/12/2018 at 21:19

Andrew Greening    on 15 December 2018

Drivers confused by day running lights....Don't make me laugh. The vast Majority of Motorists are complete and utter idiots in the extreme.
Here are my reasons:-
1. No idea of where their light switch is.
2, No idea of what or where the dipswitch is.
3. No idea of reading the vehicle manual.
4. No clue as to switching off the front or rear foglights when reduced visibilty is NOT reduced at all but crystal clear.
5. Using foglights when there is no fog outside but is between their ears.
7 Keeping mainbeams on when opposing traffic is coming their direction.
I could go on and on but there's only so much time.and patience

Manufacturers Faults.

Putting all these stupid additions on vehicles for these absolute clowns to misuse.
Putting dashlights to come on when the ignition is switched on.
Failing to make light switches the source for dashboard illumination.so as to give the idiots a clue no lights are on in darkness
Thinking the braindeads out there will read your stupid manuals.
Expecting motorists to have any clue.but relying on some clever dick idea to save their miserable hides which in the main has the opposite effect.
Anyone who wants to take issue please do as I would be only too happy to come with you and point these few irritations out personally

Johnd44    on 31 December 2018

I have a 2015 Picasso which has Daylight Running Lights and really like them but I have to remember when to turn on the headlights, I try NEVER to drive on side lights, only with DRL's or dipped/main beam, side lights should be for parking only in my view.

I had assumed when I bought the car that it had rear DRL's as well, it does not. My previous Picasso did not have front or rear so I had them fitted and the Car electrician found that there was fittings for the rear ones but not in use for UK spec cars.

I am now having rear DRL's fitted to my current Picasso next week as it seems totally wrong as mentioned earlier not to have them.
JohnH44