running lights on cars and trucks

[tomman58]

We have driven the USA many, many times in good weather and bad, day and night. There is one thing that really bothers me while doing what I like ....rving. The thing is the lack of cars and trucks that have running lights on in the daytime. I am not sure but seems like GM is the only one that has daytime lights. Point being while on the roads of our country sometime you need to pass a really slow car or truck. I do it often when I want to do the 55mph speed limit as that is slow enough. The problem is the on coming traffic and visibility.
We all know that passing can be doable but we need all the road we can get. The downside is seeing others coming our way at dusk, early morning, or in rainy weather.
The absence of running lights seems to me to be a real and present safety issue.
What do you think ? Should there be a national law to make people safer? Jus' wondering.

[theoldwizard1]

What I do like are headlight that come on when the wipers are on ! Some states have laws, but I wish all cars were just built this way.

[ScottG]

GordonThree wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
DRLs are an option on Ram trucks. All an owner needs to do is have the dealer turn the feature on.

Do you have any supporting documentation on that?

DRL was not an option on my 13 Ram, had two dealers check. The only option they could find was to reflash the computer with Canada set as the sale country.

Gordon speaks the truth.
I had mine changed when I bought it new. No problems with changing the country code. BTW, it's not a "REFLASH" - it's just a setting like cab type or trans.

[97chevor]

I turn on mine while driving. And I'll turn my high beams 4 ways on passing non lit vehicles in bad weather.

A holes wanting to get hit if you ask me.

[LOFAT36]

Fizz wrote:
I don't know what you guys are driving but I haven't touch my headlight switch in years except to dim or high beam.
Driving lights are always on and headlights comes on at dusk or when I enter a garage. GMC Sierra and Mazda CX5

Same here, ours are on AUTO. 2010 Silverado Duramax & 2015 Malibu Turbo. DRL always on and as it gets dark all lights come on. Also we are in Arizona for the winter and there are stretches of hwy with signs reading headlights on and awhile after that the signs read headlights off. Seems odd to me, and you do see approaching vehicles better with their lights on.

[MNGeeks61]

My "new to me" 2009 Ford F-150 has some type of light system - I don't know that it's DRL, because the headlights come on, but are much lower brightness and the rear lamps don't come on.

IMHO, I'd rather not have it mandated on the vehicle - MN already has a law that requires you to turn on your lights in the rain (or at dusk)

And since our other car (2013 Santa Fe) has DRL's that come on and are full brightness, I have to remind myself to turn on the Ford's headlights to ensure my rear lights are visible.

To me, it's accountability. It seems like having the feature on encourages me to forget to actually engage the headlights.

So many years of driving vehicles that didn't have that feature - well, I always made sure my lights were on!

[You_can_t_take_]

You can't take the Fisherman out of this Camper wrote:
It's the law here in Canada.... and my 2006 Chateau does NOT have them!! :S Probably built in the US of A!!

Wow.. interesting responses! I didn't think this was THAT big of a deal!! My Chateau Motor Home does not have DRL's. The first time I drove it on a very foggy day (near Ottawa by the way) my wife had to remind me to turn my headlights on because my other vehicles all have DRL's and headlights that come on automatically at dusk. I've taken the Chateau in for service and I'm told it did not come equipped with the relay required for DRL's! Too bad! At my age my eyes and brain clearly tell me I can see on-coming vehicles better when their DLR's or headlights are on.. so I think I would prefer to be safe rather than sorry... or dead. Even if I am already older than some of my friends who have 'gone on before'!!

[Fizz]

I don't know what you guys are driving but I haven't touch my headlight switch in years except to dim or high beam.
Driving lights are always on and headlights comes on at dusk or when I enter a garage. GMC Sierra and Mazda CX5

[GWolfe]

WTP-GC wrote:


But people are ignoring the most obvious dilemma of all...being that GM vehicles are programmed to only ever have one working DRL at a time, meaning that in low light conditions they look like a motorcycle.

Maybe I am misreading this but GM has both headlights on for DRLs, just not as bright as they are at night. Most GM vehicles have auto lights that sense when it is getting dark and turn on the running lights as well.

[RoyB]

You have to cautious adding ADDITIONAL lights on the front and rear of US vehicles... It seems there are SAFETY laws on how many lights can be ON at the same time. There is also laws on when a light comes on and in most case must be done in conjunction when one turns on the vehicle lights. Cannot be a separate toggle switch somewhere. The lens all have be US DOT approved and will have a DOT number stamped into the lens. Adding lights under the front and rear bumper frames etc also falls into this category. Adding the fancy LED LIGHTS BARS mounted into the front grill also falls into this category.

We OFF-ROAD Truck and Jeep guys knows too well about all of this when it comes to passing SAFETY INSPECTIONs. For years we all got away with it by placing socks over the additional lights - Don't think that is allowed anymore now...

Adding additional lights to the side of the trailers is not a problem.

Chances are very high you will have problems passing State Safety Inspections doing this... You need to check with your local State inspection Station before dumping a bunch of money into additional lights for the front and rear of your units.

Running your OEM installed safety lights during the daylight hours is not a problem. I run my lights during the daytime hours alot when I feel they are needed.

Just saying

Roy Ken

[wa8yxm]

tomman58 wrote:
We have driven the USA many, many times in good weather and bad, day and night. There is one thing that really bothers me while doing what I like ....rving. The thing is the lack of cars and trucks that have running lights on in the daytime. I am not sure but seems like GM is the only one that has daytime lights.

There are a series of ads for a URL "Fordcares.com".. I always laugh at that.

Some years ago there was a study, it clearly showed that DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) reduce accidents,, I can testify that it is far easier to see cars with DRL's than without. Our friends to the north (Canada) passed a law All cars sold in Canada must have DRLs. GM responded by putting DRL's on everything.. Ford, it appears figuring if their cars are more accident prone they will sell more cars because people are idiots and won't change brands, Makes two products, ONe for Canad, one for USA.

I heard that Ford was finally changing and putting DRL's in US products but the proof I've not seen.

There used to be a company in Livonia, MI, ANL (Andrew N Lake) it was a Speed shop or Chrome Shop Not sure which but I think Truck accessories) they sold the SEE-ME DRL.. I installed it on my car at the time.. I've tried to find 'em since. No joy.

Of course There are people who do not like DRL's and want to disable them... Like I said, some folks are loyal to a brand even after the gas tank explodes.

[rhagfo]

D.E.Bishop wrote:
We have four motor vehicles and only one has DRLs. I looked for aftermarket kits for the others and they all seem to have so many other functions I don't want or need and they include LED head lights. Can anyone offer a after market kit that uses the existing lights and wiring?

I can and do add things to my electrical systems in the vehicles and the S&B so it's not a biggy.

I am also looking for a simple lights on when wipers are on kit. I can built my own but really like potted or weather tight products rather than just hanging switches and relays all over the place.

That would be the kit that I have used for the last 48 years, I turn on the light switch when I get in the car, it is called a habit.
In the 48 years I lost one battery because I left them on. now with almost all cars having a buzzer that warn the lights are left on, not a problem.

[tomman58]

Looks like some folks are thinking that running light are headlights..... they are not. Also I am thinking of safety here and that requires participation, so need a law. Some can do and some don't really doesn't work the playing field needs to be level. I thank GM for thinking of safety.

[WTP-GC]

Typical internet "my opinion governs" kinda thread.
So far:
DRL's will save your life
DRL's won't help you
Government should intervene
Government should not intervene
People should use lights when its dark, maybe a law will help that.

But people are ignoring the most obvious dilemma of all...being that GM vehicles are programmed to only ever have one working DRL at a time, meaning that in low light conditions they look like a motorcycle.

[D_E_Bishop]

We have four motor vehicles and only one has DRLs. I looked for aftermarket kits for the others and they all seem to have so many other functions I don't want or need and they include LED head lights. Can anyone offer a after market kit that uses the existing lights and wiring?

I can and do add things to my electrical systems in the vehicles and the S&B so it's not a biggy.

I am also looking for a simple lights on when wipers are on kit. I can built my own but really like potted or weather tight products rather than just hanging switches and relays all over the place.

[rhagfo]

dodge guy wrote:
Not needed. Never found a reason to have them on.

Are you saying you are passing people on 2 lane roads while towing?!!! with or without lights on that's very dangerous! I have been behind slow moving cars while towing and I just wait. much safer than trying to pass at 60 with 60 feet of vehicle!

DRL`s don`t offer much in safety, more of a "make you feel safe" feature.

Do you have an issue with this?
We were following a car out to the coast one time, car was doing 45 to 50 in a 55 zone, road was clear and dry.
Cars were stacking up behind us and after several offers to the car behind me to allow him to pass, we came to a cleat straightaway, and I passed this person.