Do you want your vehicle to be visible to other road users during the day? Then you should install daytime running lights. DRLs are incorporated into the vehicles existing taillights and headlights and usually shine white at the front and red at the rear end and make vehicles more visible to other road users. These lights automatically switch on when the car engine is running and will go off when the main headlights are being used, for instance, at night.
DRLs act like reflective safety devices that are meant to catch the human eye so that other road users are aware of your presence on the road and this lowers the probabilities of accidents. This is important because vehicles that are involved in collisions are usually the ones that the other driver failed to notice.
Many new vehicles have instruments that are illuminated at all times and this makes it challenging to notice when the headlights are switched on. In such cases, daytime running lights are ideal failsafe as they ensure that the vehicle is clearly visible at all times. DRLs are also safer than low beams and they come with extended lifespan of 15000 hours or even more.
Studies carried out around the world have shown that daytime running lights can lower collisions by 5 to 10%. A Canadian research report from 1997 confirms a 5.7percent fall in vehicle crashes for automobiles fitted with DRLs. Additionally; a 2000 American study puts this figure at 7%. This issue was not investigated by the EU until 2003, but they suggested a reduction of between 5 and 15%.
This information is convincing enough and all automobiles sold in most countries are legally required to have these lights installed. However, the research carried out by the Japanese government had a different conclusion than that of the U.S. and Japan will necessitate automatic headlights fitted on all new vehicles sold from April 2020 onward.
DRLs are low beam headlights that are on during daytime driving. They are turned on by a module or computer that utilizes a light sensor to detect the surrounding or ambient daylight. They automatically illuminate to offer an added layer of safety to vehicles.
These lights run at lower power settings compared to when the headlights are illuminated for nighttime driving. They also take a form of a line of LED light that appears like an eyebrow on the front of the vehicle. They can also be low bean headlights while on normal power, fog lights that run at lower power or specialized lights functioning for this purpose.
Daytime running lights were previously a preserve of upmarket German vehicles, but today, a wide range of new models have these lights fitted. EU legislation dictates that newly launched vehicles released since February 2011 must have daytime running lights. DRLs became mandatory for buses and lorries in August 2012.
In some states like California and Alabama, you are legally required to have your headlights turned on whenever your wipes are on. This is because when the wipers are on, then it means that the weather is terrible and so is visibility. Check local headlight laws to determine whether this applies to your state.
The fact is that your fuel consumption will get a bit higher when you utilize DRLs. However, LED DRLs keep the energy consumption levels at a minimum because these lamps consume just a fraction of the electricity used by standard headlights. This is what makes LED DRLs a popular choice among vehicle owners across the world.
With a wide range of options to choose from, LED or halogen DRLs are a perfect way of adding a stylish edge to your car. If your car does not have DRLs fitted, you can always add then to your car using a DRL kit. The process of installing these lights is a little challenging compared to headlight bulbs and it is good to check the user manual or seek assistance from a mechanical technician.