I have always been driving with my head light on during the day. We can have all kind of speculation or explanation but statistics shows that ANY car with head light on during the day reduced their chance of accident to 28 percent. This study is done by countries who change over to the mandatory day time running light. Many more countries are trying to adapt similar rules, as far as I know, Taipei city adding onto sections of the road that requires head light running due to higher accident rate. It appears to be helping.

 

I always use my headlights - day or night.

Been doing it for 3.5 years, with no ill effects on the HID.
(107k miles now, BTW)

We should have DRL standard like the Canada market, but oh well.

 

You are saying that after a little while (what, maybe a couple of blocks) because the guy has his "park" lights on in the rear, you get used to them, so you move up closer? IE, you tailgate? It doesn't matter if you can't decide whether or not he has his brake lights on or just his tail "running" lights on. This should not determine for you that it's OK to tailgate.
Also, when he does put his brakes on, those lights will come on with DOUBLE (or more) the intensity of the running lights. There will be NO mistake.
In my travels through the US, I regularly see many states post up signs that read "Lights ON for safety". I'm sure they realize for those without DRLs (and many US cars are sold with them now), the tail lights also come on with the "running" light setting. The most danger is from ONCOMING (head on type collisions). Collisions due to tailgating happen regardless of lights being on or not. This is just fact.
Oh, I don't think that the lifespan of the HIDs should be of serious concern when increased safety can be promoted. Really, should this have even been a factor?

 

It's also a good idea to run with your headlights on anytime the sun is low on the horizon. If you are driving either toward or away from the sun, a car with the lights on stands out much better against the setting (or rising) sun.

For those of you who run your HID's during the day, is there an adverse effect on your gas mileage? I remember reading somewhere that a truck that averages 12-15 mpg and drives 30,000 miles per year will suffer a hit of nearly $200/year simply by running with the headlights on at all times... it was on the internet, therefore it must be true.

 

I drive my head lights on on 2-lane roads or when the outside light is dim. Other drivers notice me sooner when I have the lights on.

Cheers,

 

For those of you who want some sort of DRL and are worried about "this or that", just install a 50 buck DRL module (do a Google search for where to buy). It will use the highbeam at reduced power and come on automatically with ignition and won't turn on your tail lights.

 

plus its harder to see the guage clutser with lights on during the day, espcially if its in direct sunlight.

 

I will look into it and may get this DRL modules for other cars too.

Thanks

 

Just hold down the + button for 3 seconds and the dash lights brighten.

 

car moving = lights full on IMHO

Silverstone = invisible on pretty much any given day

every little bit helps