Daytime running lights

[Abacist]

I am surprised at the number of vehicles I see with only daytime running lights on at the front of any vehicle.

What’s the point of front only?

In poor light, rain, mist etc surely it’s important to have rear lights as well?

Just curious!

 

[Figaro]

The lights will be set to automatic so driver gets out of the habit of turning lights on and off or even thinking about them.
In most situations this is ok but conditions do occur that need manual intervention and many don't realise unfortunately.

I think it applies particularly to the youngsters who have never known anything other than automatic lights

 

[Badknee]

In most situations this is ok but conditions do occur that need manual intervention and many don't realise unfortunately.

Yes, mist/fog and water spray won’t switch them on.

 

[Oldrat]

Front only daytime running lights are a right PITA.


If a driver is attentive, they will know what lights they are showing,

If they are not, they see that because the dash is illuminated that think that they have all the obligatory lights on. (front and rear)

Why oh why do manufacturers link the dash illumination to the daytime running lights which are front only.

It's not only useless but bloomin' dangerous.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Front only daytime running lights are a right PITA.


If a driver is attentive, they will know what lights they are showing,

If they are not, they see that because the dash is illuminated that think that they have all the obligatory lights on. (front and rear)

Why oh why do manufacturers link the dash illumination to the daytime running lights which are front only.

It's not only useless but bloomin' dangerous.

Have to admit been caught out by this

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[Barclaybasher]

I drive everything with at least side lights on all the time.

DRLs just on the front? - bonkers

 

[Guigsy]

I think DRL is a good idea, but I do agree that it's been badly implemented.

Visual cues that you need to turn your lights on are that it's dark in front of your vehicle, and it's hard to read the dash. But my DRLs are easily bright enough to light up some road ahead of me, and the dash lights are on all the time.

Meanwhile, I'm driving around with no rear lighting. It's bad user interface design.

 

[Guigsy]

I drive everything with at least side lights on all the time.

DRLs just on the front? - bonkers

My 2020 van, there's only two positions on the stalk. "Off" means front DRLs. "On" means low beams and the green icon comes on in the dash. There's no side lights anymore.

 

[Eddystone]

The lights will be set to automatic so driver gets out of the habit of turning lights on and off or even thinking about them.
In most situations this is ok but conditions do occur that need manual intervention and many don't realise unfortunately.

I think it applies particularly to the youngsters who have never known anything other than automatic lights

This was my reaction to the poor visibility yesterday. The auto lights didn't come on and there was so much spray it was difficult to see the vehicle in front so I turned them on.

 

[gus-lopez]

I noticed only yesterday that on some vehicles drl's now have rear lights on as well. definitely an improvement. whoever thought adding dash lights to front DRL's wants there head looking at

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[David and Sally]

DRLs were originally at the front so that drivers ahead of you are more likely to notice you. The issue of lights in poor conditions is a different matter and it is easy to get the wrong message from the dashboard.
Auto lights are a mixed blessing in my view. They are better than nothing for those who forget their road craft but worse that drivers who use lights intelligently.

 

[tacr2man]

In conditions of low visibility side(parking) lights being on are a waste of time . That's why DRLs are higher wattage . DRL on only,no headlights or rear lights at night is quite common from my observations particularly in built up areas, with street lighting . Not nearly as many as those with front "fog" lights on with headlights in good conditions.

 

[busby]

I am surprised at the number of vehicles I see with only daytime running lights on at the front of any vehicle.

What’s the point of front only?

In poor light, rain, mist etc surely it’s important to have rear lights as well?

Just curious!

As long as they don't put rear fog lights on..BUSBY.

 

[Oldrat]

For me the real issue is that ignorant drivers think that they have their front and rear lights on because they see that the dash is illuminated.

Hence during levels of low light they drive around with no rears on.

Nowt to do with conditions of poor visibility when obligatory lights are … well obligatory.

 

[andysam]

For me the real issue is that ignorant drivers think that they have their front and rear lights on because they see that the dash is illuminated.

Hence during levels of low light they drive around with no rears on.

Nowt to do with conditions of poor visibility when obligatory lights are … well obligatory.

You'd have had a field day in your time. I drive an unlit slow A/B road home. The amount of cars and vans running with bright DRLs and front fogs during dusk or full on night after lighting up time is astounding to be honest. They clearly think that that gives them sufficient light to the front, even though the rear is unlit. Compulsory Chapter 8's - that'll sort 'em out.

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[JockandRita]

I noticed only yesterday that on some vehicles drl's now have rear lights on as well. definitely an improvement. whoever thought adding dash lights to front DRL's wants there head looking at

The trucks I drive occasionally Richard, have side lights and marker lights to the trailer on all the time, even when only the DRLs are in use.
if it can be done on commercials, why not right across the motoring/transport industry as a whole?

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[rod_vw]

Yes, mist/fog and water spray won’t switch them on.

It usually does on my VW T6, don't know about the MAN TGE yet.

 

[Lenny HB]

I am surprised at the number of vehicles I see with only daytime running lights on at the front of any vehicle.

What’s the point of front only?

In poor light, rain, mist etc surely it’s important to have rear lights as well?

Just curious!

Apart from Vovo's I thought vehicles were like that.

 

[Lenny HB]

My 2020 van, there's only two positions on the stalk. "Off" means front DRLs. "On" means low beams and the green icon comes on in the dash. There's no side lights anymore.

Yes there are, after turning off the ignition turn the lights off then back on and side lights are on.

If they didn't have any you couldn't park outside a 30 limit in the dark as the law requires side lights to be on.

 

[tonyidle]

My 2020 van, there's only two positions on the stalk. "Off" means front DRLs. "On" means low beams and the green icon comes on in the dash. There's no side lights anymore.

There may be. AFAIK sidelights are obligatory and often achieved by dimming the DRLs when headlights are turned on.

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[Lenny HB]

Yes there are, after turning off the ignition turn the lights off then back on and side lights are on.

If they didn't have any you couldn't park outside a 30 limit in the dark as the law requires side lights to be on.

Just to add to the above, if over 2500 kg young need sidelights on when parked in a 30 limit at night.

 

[busby]

Yes there are, after turning off the ignition turn the lights off then back on and side lights are on.

If they didn't have any you couldn't park outside a 30 limit in the dark as the law requires side lights to be on.

Think you could Lenny..Police don't even know traffic laws.You can park on pelican crossings around us with impunity..BUSBY

Just to add to the above, if over 2500 kg young need sidelights on when parked in a 30 limit at night.

And your vehicle must be parked with front facing forward the same as moving traffic. BUSBY..

 

[Lenny HB]

Think you could Lenny..Police don't even know traffic laws.You can park on pelican crossings around us with impunity..BUSBY

And your vehicle must be parked with front facing forward the same as moving traffic. BUSBY..

Mostly ignored but sometimes they have a purge.
The coast road by us used to be a 40 limit (now 30) once every couple of years the police would have purge and ticket dozens probably more like a hundred or more of parked cars without lights on.

 

[busby]

Mostly ignored but sometimes they have a purge.
The coast road by us used to be a 40 limit (now 30) once every couple of years the police would have purge and ticket dozens probably more like a hundred or more of parked cars without lights on.

So many laws ignored now because they are not policed..Not 200 mtrs from Derbyshire Police HQ ..a 7.5 tonne horse box was parked in a 40 mph limit facing into the traffic with no parking lights for 6 weeks..Never noticed a ticket on the screen.Probably dozens of police cars passed it every day and night.BUSBY

 

[Lumpy]

Our last car Pug 2008 turned the lights on if the wipers were on, assumed bad weather!!
Our now car Nissan Duke doesn't do that but has a side light setting which leaves the drl's on bright and brings on the rear lights. Front drl's dim when indicators are on, dash only dims if main lights are on, manual or auto select.

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[Notts Archer]

What’s the point of front only?

In poor light, rain, mist etc surely it’s important to have rear lights as well?

That’s been my argument for years. Many moons ago, when I owned a variety of Volvos, they all had automatic running lights, front and rear, to meet Swedish driving regulations. Todays models still conform with the logic of having all corners of the vehicle illuminated.
I‘m not an auto-electrician, but I wouldn’t have thought it difficult to get the rear lights of a vehicle, particularly our Campers and MHs, linked to the front? Has any done it?

 

[Lenny HB]

You can't just connect lights together on modern vehicles as the lights are switched via electronic signals over the CANBUS.

 

[Notts Archer]

Thanks Lenny. That’s something I’ve learnt today.

 

[andysam]

So many laws ignored now because they are not policed..Not 200 mtrs from Derbyshire Police HQ ..a 7.5 tonne horse box was parked in a 40 mph limit facing into the traffic with no parking lights for 6 weeks..Never noticed a ticket on the screen.Probably dozens of police cars passed it every day and night.BUSBY

IIRC Derbyshire police decriminalised parking, which means that they don't control it any more the LA does.

 

[iandsm]

I am surprised at the number of vehicles I see with only daytime running lights on at the front of any vehicle.

What’s the point of front only?

In poor light, rain, mist etc surely it’s important to have rear lights as well?

Just curious!

I really cannot see a problem, automatic DRL's are high intensity designed to alert your presence on the road to other drivers and pedestians when you are approaching them . There is no need for them at the rear of the vehicle as you have already passed by. In poor lighting conditions or in the dark the driver should be using the correct lights for the conditions and not be reliant RL's. It's called being a responsible driver.

I am sure there have been times when on the country roads of Suffolk / Norfolk drivers coming in the opposite discretion to me have been alerted to my vehicle much sooner than had I not had DRL's.

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