Driving w/lights during day
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Not sure if any of you are motorcyclists, but if you are or care about some who is, you should think twice about promoting the use of daytime running lights on cars.
You see, almost all motorcycles have employed daytime running lights for years because
"Daytime running lights are effective in drawing other drivers' attention to motorcycles because they increase the contrast between the motorcycle and the background against which he or she is viewed."
While it might be nice for us, in a car, to increase our visibility, its a matter of life or death for a motorcyclist. If everyone drives around with their headlights on, or with DRL, then any benefit of increased contrast is list, and motorcycles (and cars for that matter) blend back into the background.
There's a bunch of research / reading available on the topic (e.g. there are lobbies fighting to outlaw DRLs on cars) if you want more info, I know I've been brief and a bit simplistic.
Dinnyin
You see, almost all motorcycles have employed daytime running lights for years because
"Daytime running lights are effective in drawing other drivers' attention to motorcycles because they increase the contrast between the motorcycle and the background against which he or she is viewed."
While it might be nice for us, in a car, to increase our visibility, its a matter of life or death for a motorcyclist. If everyone drives around with their headlights on, or with DRL, then any benefit of increased contrast is list, and motorcycles (and cars for that matter) blend back into the background.
There's a bunch of research / reading available on the topic (e.g. there are lobbies fighting to outlaw DRLs on cars) if you want more info, I know I've been brief and a bit simplistic.
Dinnyin
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From: Orange County
Originally Posted by Rogazilla,Aug 4 2005, 05:03 AM
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.
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From: Orange County
Originally Posted by xviper,Aug 4 2005, 07:16 AM
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?
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?
I'll stop defending my argument, because nobody will buy it unless it's happen to them. You drive along behind a guy with his tails on during the day. The sun is at your back and washing out his lights. He makes a stop and for a split second in the glare, your reaction time is slowed as you try to subconsciously discern if it's still just his tails.
Everyone do as you see best for your car.
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From: Cary
Doesn't GM claim that the adoption of DRL has reduced their fleet fuel economy?
How stuff works: DRL & gasoline
How stuff works: DRL & gasoline
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From: Scatterbrainia
Originally Posted by msechrest,Aug 4 2005, 10:58 AM
Doesn't GM claim that the adoption of DRL has reduced their fleet fuel economy?
How stuff works: DRL & gasoline
How stuff works: DRL & gasoline
What's frustrating is that none of this (DRL's) is really necessary but is only brought about by absentminded drivers spending more time dreaming about key lime pie than paying attention to the road and other cars.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Calgary, AB
I actually have my DRL's disabled. They're ugly 
But if I feel I'm in a situation where I want others to notice my car, I'll turn on my HID's. I always do this when it's heavily overcast or raining.
But if I feel I'm in a situation where I want others to notice my car, I'll turn on my HID's. I always do this when it's heavily overcast or raining.
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From: Sunnyvale
Originally Posted by Sideways,Aug 4 2005, 10:17 AM
Just hold down the + button for 3 seconds and the dash lights brighten.
I was waiting for someone to mention that with your headlights on the instrument panel is much less easy to see. However, if holding the "+" button for 3 seconds makes it brighter then that's great news.
Two Questions:
1) Does it make it as bright as if the headlights were not on?
2) Does this method permanently make the instrument panel this bright? As in, if it becomes night time and it's too bright, can I reverse this change?
I'm fascinated!
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From: Sunnyvale
Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8,Aug 4 2005, 12:13 PM
Ah... that's the article I was referring to earlier.
What's frustrating is that none of this (DRL's) is really necessary but is only brought about by absentminded drivers spending more time dreaming about key lime pie than paying attention to the road and other cars.
What's frustrating is that none of this (DRL's) is really necessary but is only brought about by absentminded drivers spending more time dreaming about key lime pie than paying attention to the road and other cars.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,106
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From: PNW
I too only have my headlights on during the day when I am driving faster.. If I am mobbing on the freeway, I have them on so when cars changing lanes in front of me at least see me a little more and think twice about getting in front of me as I approach quickly... If there's any chance for benefit, I'll do it. Plus they look just plain pimp. And I'm normally passing other cars so I don't care about the back as much.