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.