Daytime running lights should be required on every car like our friends in Canada have figured out. It's all about being seen, yes, even in bright sunlight.

On the other hand, I've never figured out why a person would light only their parking lights. Do you only KIND OF want to be seen?

 

I've wondered the same thing. Have you noticed that some of the domestics in recent years (like Trans-Am and Corvettes) have daytime running parking lights? Daytime running lights are a good idea. Daytime running parking lights... I'm not so sure of.

Or maybe these people really are just turning the parking lights on during the day. *confused*

 

Always have my lights on... it's safe and cool... pedestrians see you easier... and i like driving fast, so it's important that other drivers know im going by.


Yeah baby!
Alex

 

I always have my lights on, unless it is sunny out. I also have a Silverstone S, and I want to make it easier for people to see me. I have noticed that when I have my lights on, people get out of my way a lot quicker when I am in the left hand lane on the highway, which makes me a happier person because Americans don't realize the left lane is for passing.

 

I only turn on headlamps if its dark, starting to get dark.. or bad weather outside. during normal day, they are off

 

With my previous car (a 98 Civic) I always drove with my lights on even in bright 110 degree weather. My reasoning was that increased visibility and awareness is always good and I remember reading (but could be wrong) that when Sweden made daytime light use madatory overall accidents dropped by 11% over the previous year. Sure, that may not be cause and effect, but since engines produce excess energy it doesn't waste energy to leave your lights on.

With my S 2000 I hestitate a little to run the lights in sunny weather for two reasons: 1) Salesmen have told me that HIDs are not made for continouly turning on and off and that that action decreases their life 2) other drivers can get blinded by the glare of HIDs + reflection from road surfaces and the sun.

My $0.02

 

I have found sales people to be the most un-informed group of people that you are likely to run into. I for one would never believe anything a sales person said. I'm referring, of course, to the product that they are supposed to be selling....cars.

I had to show my sales person how to start our S2000 so that she could drive it off the showroom floor. I ended up educating her about the S2000, she didn't have a clue.

I'm sure that their are some good sales people around, I just haven't seen any yet.

 

Your headlights also will somewhat reduce the effect range of LIDAR. Several years ago C&D showed that a black car with no front license plate and high beams on greatly (%50 I think) reduced the distance at which the car's speed could be aquired.