Daytime running lights

[Mottie]

I saw an old Merc coming towards me today and the owner had fitted 5 (five) DRL's on the front valance in addition to the front side lights. He had three on the rear too.

Having said that, I've got a pair of DRL's that I’ve been meaning to fit on the front of my bike for about 3 years to make me more visible. I've been knocked off of it a few times by people who claimed not to have seen me. Mrs Mottie sides with them - "You mean someone didn’t see you on your black bike wearing black trousers, black jacket and black crash helmet? Get away!"

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Is there a sensible reason for DRLs?

Blame those Swedes.

And hello again, EFL - long time no see/hear. Hope all is well with you.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Is there a sensible reason for DRLs?

Yes. Too many people unaware when they need to turn lights on.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Having said that, I've got a pair of DRL's that I’ve been meaning to fit on the front of my bike for about 3 years to make me more visible. I've been knocked off of it a few times by people who claimed not to have seen me. Mrs Mottie sides with them - "You mean someone didn’t see you on your black bike wearing black trousers, black jacket and black crash helmet? Get away!"

 

[aveatry]

I saw an old Merc coming towards me today and the owner had fitted 5 (five) DRL's on the front valance in addition to the front side lights. He had three on the rear too.

That is the main reason that DRL are dangerous for bikers. Before the stupid EU law in the daytime if you saw a light in the distance it was either a volvo or a biker - really easy to see but now the biker is lost in the sea of ever more stupid fancy pattens of DRL making it more difficult to see the biker that is actually way in front of the lights behind them and is closer than you may realise.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes. Too many people unaware when they need to turn lights on.

No, because the same applies to the rear.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Blame those Swedes.

And hello again, EFL - long time no see/hear. Hope all is well with you.

Hello. Yes thanks. I am on the electrics forum; just don't bother with GD.

 

[aveatry]

Yes. Too many people unaware when they need to turn lights on.

Most cars do it automatically now --- which is another stupid idea because they ( the cars) think its night when they go through a motorway bridge, couple that with the very fast "on" of LED lights when you have come off a slip road and down to the roundabout below it can look like the car approaching from the right has just flashed you to pull out when in fact it was their LEDs automatically coming on under the bridge.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

No, because the same applies to the rear.

I agree. It's my pet hate with cars

But the powers that be, argue that's it's the need to be seen from in front.

To me if it needs lights on, they need to be on all around

 

[aveatry]

I agree. It's my pet hate with cars

But the powers that be, argue that's it's the need to be seen from in front.

To me if it needs lights on, they need to be on all around

Them power's that be are the EU
European Directive 76/656/EEC, as amended by 2008/89/EC, concerning the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Were not in, and haven't been in the EU for a few years now.

Have you noticed how many manufacturers are building to uk specs and not EU specs. ? Any idea why?

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Most cars do it automatically now --- which is another stupid idea because they ( the cars) think its night when they go through a motorway bridge, couple that with the very fast "on" of LED lights when you have come off a slip road and down to the roundabout below it can look like the car approaching from the right has just flashed you to pull out when in fact it was their LEDs automatically coming on under the bridge.

Yes, I've had exactly this. Can't remember what car it was on, maybe a Jag I borrowed. Going under bridges, tunnels, etc with junctions at the entrances. People think you're flashing them to come out. Or someone waiting for you to go through on a narrow bridge, etc gets flashed. First thing I do is switch off any automatic nonsense like lights or wipers.

 

[Avocet]

No.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of daytime running lights (DRLs) - PubMed

DRL fitment can reduce the overall risk of being involved in a non-night-time multi-vehicle crash where vehicle visibility may be a factor in crash causation. Governments should consider a DRL mandate on all new vehicle models, including all variants to accelerate the process of fitment through...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437523000099#:~:text=They%20concluded%20that%20although%20there,injury%2C%20and%20minor%20injury).

Daytime Running Lights: The Studies

 

[Avocet]

It was yet another stupid EU directive with unintended( not thought about ) consequences . And now makes the roads more dangerous for motorcyclists.

I'd be interested to see links to any studies that have found that?

 

[Avocet]

Yep I know DRL have done away with side lights but obviously you dont get them at the back so I just go to main.

What's wrong with dipped beam?!