Headlights.. Daytime

I'm wondering how they did their testing in the US. When I drive in the US I see stretches of road that have signs to turn headlights but can't see any particular reason why. Almost no one ever does so if that is where they are getting their data, it can't be very good.

ktosv wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I wouldn`t worry about it. there is no need for DRL`s.

Based on some of the other responses, I am probably beating a dead horse at this point, but oh well. I don't know if I would say no need. How about last week when we got hit with a snow storm and visibility was less than 1/10 of a mile? How about all of the cars going the opposite direction of me with no lights on at all? While my vehicle had DRL's, I turned on my headlights.

You are right, if you are paying attention to the road, you should see the car coming. But what about these people that are so inept in rain or snow to put their lights on so they can be seen? How are the rest of their skills if they can't simply turn on headlights? What happens when someone decides they can make a left hand turn in these horrible road conditions when out of the snow comes a vehicle without their lights on? At least with DRL's you can see the person a little but sooner in these conditions.

absolutely agree. for the OP, I'd go back to ford and see if they can enable the DRL feature. It is required in canada, so it may just be a SW change.

dodge guy wrote:
I wouldn`t worry about it. there is no need for DRL`s.

Based on some of the other responses, I am probably beating a dead horse at this point, but oh well. I don't know if I would say no need. How about last week when we got hit with a snow storm and visibility was less than 1/10 of a mile? How about all of the cars going the opposite direction of me with no lights on at all? While my vehicle had DRL's, I turned on my headlights.

You are right, if you are paying attention to the road, you should see the car coming. But what about these people that are so inept in rain or snow to put their lights on so they can be seen? How are the rest of their skills if they can't simply turn on headlights? What happens when someone decides they can make a left hand turn in these horrible road conditions when out of the snow comes a vehicle without their lights on? At least with DRL's you can see the person a little but sooner in these conditions.

If DRLs save 1 life per year then they are worth it. That one life they save maybe your loved one.

I would rather error on the side of safety.

Most new vehicles today turn on their headlights/taillights when the wipers are on for more than 5 seconds. There is a law in most states that require that if the wipers are on, the headlights are to be on as well.

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/headlight-use/

Well I have never once had any close call that made me say, oh thank go their headlights were on! (During the day!) I don't like having any lights on when it's not necessary! And no one has almost hit me either without having any lights on.

If you need headlights to see an oncoming car then your not paying attention to the road!

rhagfo wrote:

Jerrybo66 wrote:
Personally, I think it's stupid and a waste of energy to power lights in daylight. If my truck had daylight on headlights I would consider it conserving energy and had it disabled. I don't want my fuel to be used to power my alternator to burn unnecessary lights. If anyone can't see a RV size vehicle, or any vehicle, without it being lit up in daylight they shouldn't be driving. It's another government regulation run amok.. IMO.... They need to produce some regulation to condone their existence, no matter how unrealistic. :D

Well "stupid" is a strong word to use.
I will say that it seems to me that you may lack the Common Sense, that running with lights on in the daytime does prevent accidents. This is true not only in bad weather, but also in bright sunny weather. Bright sun in your face a dark shadow, sounds like a miss to me.

As stated before I don't need a law to see the Common Sense in running with my lights on 24/7/365, stated it earlier I have been do this since mid 1966, for got parents taught me to drive with lights on!
I taught my kids to drive with lights on, both still do.

If you are you are worried about Conserving energy, I do hope you also had your A/C disabled also with any other power accessories!! :S

X2!!!!!

Jerrybo66 wrote:
Personally, I think it's stupid and a waste of energy to power lights in daylight. If my truck had daylight on headlights I would consider it conserving energy and had it disabled. I don't want my fuel to be used to power my alternator to burn unnecessary lights. If anyone can't see a RV size vehicle, or any vehicle, without it being lit up in daylight they shouldn't be driving. It's another government regulation run amok.. IMO.... They need to produce some regulation to condone their existence, no matter how unrealistic. :D

Well "stupid" is a strong word to use.
I will say that it seems to me that you may lack the Common Sense, that running with lights on in the daytime does prevent accidents. This is true not only in bad weather, but also in bright sunny weather. Bright sun in your face a dark shadow, sounds like a miss to me.

As stated before I don't need a law to see the Common Sense in running with my lights on 24/7/365, stated it earlier I have been do this since mid 1966, for got parents taught me to drive with lights on!
I taught my kids to drive with lights on, both still do.

If you are you are worried about Conserving energy, I do hope you also had your A/C disabled also with any other power accessories!! :S

Jerrybo66 wrote:
Personally, I think it's stupid and a waste of energy to power lights in daylight. If my truck had daylight on headlights I would consider it conserving energy and had it disabled. I don't want my fuel to be used to power my alternator to burn unnecessary lights. If anyone can't see a RV size vehicle, or any vehicle, without it being lit up in daylight they shouldn't be driving. It's another government regulation run amok.. IMO.... They need to produce some regulation to condone their existence, no matter how unrealistic. :D

Does your truck also have hand crank windows to save the fuel necessary to power electric windows?:h

blofgren wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I wouldn`t worry about it. there is no need for DRL`s. The U.S. decided years ago after extensive testing and reports they didn`t help with accidents. I can see oncoming cars just fine with or without DRL`s. Somehow Canada decided (probably with GM`s input) that they were necessary. GM tried years ago to get the U.S. to buy into it, but said no go. I for one am glad that was never approved.

But if you must have it, they can be programmed by the dealer!

Nope. Canada followed Scandinavia's model when it made DRL's mandatory. GM then petitioned the US govt to adopt them on the Canadian model but were turned down. There have been big changes since that testing was done in 1990. Most new models are now using separate LED's for DRL's and when a turn signal is operating, the DRL on that side goes out so it makes the signal even more noticeable, not less.

North America has always been behind when it comes to making changes in automotive lighting. We were still using tungsten sealed beams ver a decade after Europe went to asymmetric cut-off halogen lights. Thankfully Canada got with the program on this issue at least.

X2
I have been driving with head lights on 24/7/365 since I got my Drivers license in 1967! I don't go through a great amount of bulbs, I did loose a battery when I left lights on for two days once.
Even on bright sunny day, you have shadows and sun glare. Head light on always makes a big difference.

x3. I find it is VERY useful in driving in the prairies. And silver vehicles blend into surrounding terrain very well.

x4. our family has been driving with lights on in daylight since the 60's. Virtually every study has shown it reduces accidents. It isn't so I can see, it's so other see ME especially in shadows.

rhagfo wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
I wouldn`t worry about it. there is no need for DRL`s. The U.S. decided years ago after extensive testing and reports they didn`t help with accidents. I can see oncoming cars just fine with or without DRL`s. Somehow Canada decided (probably with GM`s input) that they were necessary. GM tried years ago to get the U.S. to buy into it, but said no go. I for one am glad that was never approved.

But if you must have it, they can be programmed by the dealer!

Nope. Canada followed Scandinavia's model when it made DRL's mandatory. GM then petitioned the US govt to adopt them on the Canadian model but were turned down. There have been big changes since that testing was done in 1990. Most new models are now using separate LED's for DRL's and when a turn signal is operating, the DRL on that side goes out so it makes the signal even more noticeable, not less.

North America has always been behind when it comes to making changes in automotive lighting. We were still using tungsten sealed beams ver a decade after Europe went to asymmetric cut-off halogen lights. Thankfully Canada got with the program on this issue at least.

X2
I have been driving with head lights on 24/7/365 since I got my Drivers license in 1967! I don't go through a great amount of bulbs, I did loose a battery when I left lights on for two days once.
Even on bright sunny day, you have shadows and sun glare. Head light on always makes a big difference.

x3. I find it is VERY useful in driving in the prairies. And silver vehicles blend into surrounding terrain very well.