What is your opinion on DRL's (Daytime Running Lights?) Do you have them on your car, and if so, what do you like or dislike about them?

On our Camry we have DRLs, and they drive me nuts during sunsets. When I'm going down the road all of a sudden my "real" headlights turn on, then a little ways more they shut off because I hit a "bright spot" and then they turn on again until darkness falls. There's no problem with it, it's just one of those quirks DRLs have with the sensors mounted on the dashboard.

A website called Lights Out absolutely hates them, but they do go a little overboard with the reasons why. In fact, their bias is almost unhealthy. DRLs are just something they have to deal with if they hate them so much.

Another thing that bothers me are those who think that if they don't have DRLs, they must turn on their lights and switch them to high beams. I'm taught to turn on the headlights at all times, so that doesn't bother me, but why high beams?

Overall though, my opinions are purely mixed. On one hand I think DRLs are under-appreciated due to their original purpose but yet they are a hassle to deal with when you don't want them on. Again, what's your opinion on DRLs?

~Scott

Daytime running lights are wonderful. I've never been able to understand why some people hate them so much.

Having something that distinguishes a running/moving car from a parked car makes a surprising difference with safety. I'm a fairly aware driver, but the number of times I've not noticed cars just because they didn't have any sort of lights on is rather high. Never any remotely close calls, but usually these "where the hell did he come from" reactions.

The only slight drawback I see is that they can really make the front of a vehicle look ugly. However, it's perfectly possible to institute DRLs in a design with having them barely noticeable. As for glare like that website you posted talks about, well I've never experienced problems with glare during the daytime. Only time lights bug me is when people have their high-beams on for no reason, or their headlights are pointed in the wrong direction so that they blind you as you drive toward them.

I've never understood what the big deal was with DRLs, either. If cars' headlights aren't blinding at night, then how can the "glare" be so unbearable during the day, when one's eyes are used to the brighter ambient light? Anyway, Car & Driver used to make a big stink about them, too. Now they've moved on to bashing hybrid cars...

I've actually come to appreciate DRLs because they compensate for the people who don't turn their lights on when they should--on two-lane highways, in rainy or foggy weather, or at dusk, for example.

I will admit, though, that I don't have any of the vision problems that may affect DRL opponents. If I had astigmatism and couldn't drive at night, DRLs might make it tough for me to drive in daylight, too. Maybe. Then again, if it was that bad, I'd also be completely incapacitated by chrome trim and reverse lights, and I don't see any websites advocating the extermination of them.

-PJ

I have no problem with DRLs either. Virginia also has a regulation about switching on the headlights if its raining, and I think New York has a similar regulation.

I find that different car companies implement DRLs differently. The Ford Focus I'm driving this week (don't know the year yet) has the lights come on slightly dimmed anytime the ignition is switched on. My 2003 Subaru switches on the DRLs only when the parking brake is released. That seems more logical to me but the effect is pretty much the same.

--Bob

I had them on my 2000 Pontiac Montana. I just bought the 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid, and find that they only come on the Canadian models. Yikes! I have to remember to turn on my headlights now?? I've given my daughter the Montana, so I hope she won't grow up thinking all cars' headlights turn on automatically, or she'll be in for a rude awakening. (Kind of like when they installed self-flushing toilets at the daycare center...)

I like them, my car does not have them but I always turn the headlights on. It's a law in Florida as well that headlights must be on in the rain. But there are plenty who do not realize this.

I notice on some cars, like older Saturns, the DRLs are separate, brighter lights that are too bright for night use. Our old 98 SC2 DRLs were blinding at night until the regular headlights were turned on and the DRLs switched off.

I haven't been able to find, and maybe someone can point them out, studies that show daytime running lights prevent accidents.

I understand their use in far northern latitudes where there is limited daylight -- but what about the US?

It seems most information that I hear is anecdotal -- not to discount that, but someone must have done more extensive studies.

I'm also curious if anyone has calculated the cost to put DRL's on all cars, the legislative costs, etc. involved. An interesting link on 'How Stuff Works' does look at the amount of gas consumed if all cars had DRL's: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question424.htm

Just some thoughts -- not for or against.

I noticed in Alaska that few vehicles had DRLs, and I'm far more convinced now that they do increase safety. The number of people that drove in crappy weather without any lights on (and usually in grey or white vehicles...) was astounding. They were nowhere near as visible as a vehicle with some sort of lights on, and I'm amazed you don't get.

Having lights on when wipers are on isn't good enough, as it's when you're driving through fog that the lights become more important than ever.

Well I for one don't like being forced to run those daylights if I don't want them. I think they make your car look uglier and not cool. I think just running the parking lights should be enouf'. I think some chevys do this but they have beaming parking lights instead which look ugly too. I like my 99 Honda Accord. I leave my parking lights on all the time..unless its night and I need headlights...and they turn off automatically when I get out of my car. When I unlock my doors with the remote either my headlights or my parking lights turn on depending on what I had them set to last. Yes I have the option to run no lights if I wish and I feel every vehicle should have that option. I for one am against those beaming driving lights. Don't really think they help in most situations. Might make it worse with all those headlights beaming you all the time.

An earlire poster likely long gone mentioned that without DRLs she'll actually have to turn on her lights. I'm hoping she realizes that the DRLs are only up front. The tail lights must still be turned on.

When GM first introduced DRLs on all its cars they used the headlights. Then everyone complained so for many cars they started using the front parking lights instead.

Quote: I'm hoping she realizes that the DRLs are only up front...

When DRLs first appeared in the '90s, I remember seeing lots of cars with dim-looking headlights and no taillights at night. You'd think they'd notice the pitch-black instrument panel in front of them...

I'd certainly believe that running the headlights imposes an extremely marginal loss of horsepower. However, a car that's totaled because someone didn't see it turning left makes 0 horsepower.

- P.J.

I hate daytime running lamps


#1 because when I drive home from the city I have 3 pitch black intersections that I come to... when I approach these crossroads I turn my headlights off for a second to see if I see any lights coming thus affecting my next move.

#2 because I don't like to advertise myself.

#3 I am a good driver... I know when my headlights need to be on for safety

#4 I am annoyed by vehicles with DRL on a nice sunny day therefore I choose not to annoy others who feel the same as I.

#5 headlight wear is impacted if DRL are incorporated into normal driving lights (hi/lo beams).

#6 some manufactures have DRL who come on always so that in a parking lot while their vehicle is running I am being blinded.

#7 some morons drive with only DRL after dark

#8 I like to drive up my driveway with my LIGHTS OUT!!!

#9 When riding at the local lights festival or in a parade, DRL take away from the effect. DRL certainly don't affect my insurance rates (yet)

#10 This country (USA) is supposed to be a free country but DRL are just another item to add to our growing list of freedoms taken away (and the sad part about this is that the government has nothing to do with it. (yet)


DRL are good for one thing and one thing only!

since drivers licences are so easy to get, there are many many bad drivers on the road today many of these drivers are too dumb to realize that headlights are not just so that you can see to drive but that lights are also necessary to be seen in inclement driving conditions and yet I see people driving a dark gray car in the driving rain with no lights.... these are the people who need DRL.

That is a chance I have been taking for about 20 years now and never had any close calls, negative incidents, or seen any new signs..... Thats a chance I'm willing to take because my "check" system works for me and on many occasions this has alerted me to the presence of an approaching vehicle...

OK here is another issue - MOTORCYCLES.... do you remember when motorcycle companies started putting always on lighting on their bikes that was way before the DRL era on vehicles... motorcycles were much easier to see because they stood out due to their lights now they just blend in.

Not that I want to bore anyone BUT- Just yesterday it was 60° & sunny I was sitting in line at a 3 way stop sign... there were about 10 cars ahead of me...as I watched the cars on my left turn right the DRL equipped vehicles were blinding me when they made their turn- especially the cars that incorporate DRL into the high beam.... it was only 3 cars but for an old-schooler like me it was three too many... OK you can tell me not to look at the lights or something... Great suggestion but that is not realistic.... and truthfully I have no problem with someone who turns their lights on every time they start their car... even DRL for someone who really wants that feature because THAT IS WHAT THEY WANT... but I think it's becoming an annoyance epidemic that the feature cannot be overridden by switch then again the first thing I do when I get a new car is disconnect all chimes, beeps, dings, etc... because I am annoyed quite easily:o)

I know of no vehicle manufacturers that use the high-beam headlights as DRLs. The people you see with "glaring" headlights have more likely tripped the turn-signal stalk by accident and activated their brights (which, on some models, happens whether the DRLs are on or not).

- P.J.

i just bought a car with them and dont understand them, like why can;t i leave them off, during the day with no lights on. the dealer tells me they will be on as long as the car is running. is this true? does it hurt your vehicle? i have never had a car with them. thanks for any info you can g ive me.

If your car has daytime running lights (DRL), you can not turn them off. They will be on whenever your car is running. (In some cases, the lights come on when you release the emergency brake or when you shift out of "park.") DRL is intended to make your car more visible and will not otherwise hurt your car. You may burn out the lights a little more often and you will use a tiny bit more gasoline, but those are the only negative effects.

--Bob

The best data is on the Transport Canada websites, where stats compiled in the 80's/90's indicated-as I recall-about a 30% decrease in accidents in two lane marked but physically undivided hwy. head ons..i.e, Trans.Canada Hwy.
For some reason, it concluded, the brain tends to view approaching objects on a long flat sloping road as relatively equal, and searches for peaks or changes diffrerently, i.e less effectively the longer the potential viewing area is in miles/km., so despite wider spaces of the West in particular, these kinds of areas are where we tire, or or brains don't pick out long range objects, even though you'd think a barren landscape would make for easy pickens!!
I can't stand the fact DOT didn't mandate them for US cars, and think, FWIW, that xenon driving lights should be standard, hell be cost, so that I can show I'm coming around corners with an adjustable driving light beam (Lexus and others are incorporating this update on Citroen turning headlights, but the current designs use HID for the DRIVER's benefit, NOT to warn the traffic coming the other way that doesn't see you and then suddenly gets blinded by your massive hot spots of lumens!!
Waiting for LED lights for my forehead to be surgically sub-implanted for easier swimming and oggling!
John

Look at this site for DRL facts:

www.BestDRLs.com

The daytime running lights run your battery down to the point where a five year battery here in the south is probably good for two years.

Most daytime running lights use too much electricity. Most use 100 watts. How many homes leave 100 watt light bulb on during the day or even all night. Try touching a 100 watt bulb and you will get scorched.

They are profitable for manufacturers. I was forced to get DRLs when I upgraded to Leather seating. The DRLs cannot be switched off unless you rewire some circuit board.

Some nights I forget to turn on my headlights my dashboard stay lit up all day with DRLs.

The manufacturer should give you a disable switch and the ability to switch to 10 watt LEDs. LEDs are cool especially on the new AUDIs. I don't mind paying extra for cool LEDs.