Side Lights / Day Light Running Lights / Wipers

[Deadloak]

I've been wondering why the following has not been implemented:

Day tine running lights to include the 'rear' lights too:

- My concern is that many drivers do not know that the rear lights are not on with Day time running lights, and also just use them in low light conditions and misty/foggy conditions.

Side lights to come on when intermittent or onward wiper selections are selected by the driver:

- This because it would be considered low light conditions, and comply with the safety and law.

Just a couple of thoughts to throw out there :)

[PhilipK]

I think that the problem with having rear lights permanently on in daylight is that there would be reduced contrast change when you are braking. I know that some cars (BMW) have 2 levels of brake lights, depending on how hard you are braking, to emphasise to following drivers whether you are braking hard.

I'm also not convinced that rear DLRs would add anything to road safety - if you can't see the car in front of you in daylight without it having its lights on, then perhaps you shouldn't be driving.

I'm (personally) not that convinced that front DRLs are that effective, either. If I recall correctly, much of the research into DRLs was done when only a few cars (SAABs and Volvos) had them, and the daytime accident rate was found to be lower for such cars. However, I suspect that the reason that the accident rate was lower was because these cars were different to all the others, and stood out. Once every car has DRLs, there's no longer any differentiation, and, as a driver, you now just have the distraction of a range of weirdly shaped LED lights on the front of all oncoming traffic

No problem with the idea of lights coming on with wipers. I'm sure that I've read of at least one manufacturer doing this.

[Deadloak]

The downside of the DTRL's is them being used exclusively in conditions where rear lights are required, like in fog. I do agree that you should be able to see the car in front :) But in bad conditions being able to see further ahead to where the traffic is, and being able to maintain a safer distance because of it, is preferable.

I think for many years now, all cars have had high level brake lights, which would give the contrast.

[Roscobbc]

Despite people having reservations about front daytime running lights I believe that LED fronts with a higher intensity 'pin point' illumination ARE a safety benefit - on basis that they ARE really noticable by other road users and pedestrians.

[Deadloak]

The lack of rear light usage, no issue with the lights in themselves, and when first out (in LED format), on the Audi quite quirky.

It's the numpties not realising the rear lights are not on in bad weather that are additional irritation. Not the DTRL's. :)