Daytime Running Lights = stupidity?

Lum

Paradigm wrote: »

The only reason we notice any vehicle running with lights on during daytime is because it's unusual... it registers as such, so we "see it"!

As it becomes more common we will see it but the brain will disregard it as anything special because it's normal & we're back to square 1.

I've delivered to many building sites where "hi-viz" clothing is mandatory but after a while, the only people that stood out were the ones not wearing hi viz, it's not expected so it registers... so much so that one site I deliver to has changed it's hi-viz from yellow to orange as the accident rate was creeping up because everyone was used to the yellow & didn't "see" it!

Thank you, this is exactly what I was getting at when I compared increased lighting to an arms race.

Paradigm

Lum wrote: »

Thank you, this is exactly what I was getting at when I compared increased lighting to an arms race.

You're exactly right, it is an "arms race"... the idea is to be noticed, by being different, but once everyone is doing the same it will become normal & therefore less effective, our brains will ignore it & we're back to where we are now.

There is a scientific term for what I'm saying... wish I could remember it

A._Badger

Penny to a pound there will be yet more Eurob**lls at the bottom of this idiocy.

Flyboy152

Paradigm wrote: »

I reckon that DRL's will improve safety in the short term but as more & more cars run with them they will have less of an impact.

The only reason we notice any vehicle running with lights on during daytime is because it's unusual... it registers as such, so we "see it"!

As it becomes more common we will see it but the brain will disregard it as anything special because it's normal & we're back to square 1.

I've delivered to many building sites where "hi-viz" clothing is mandatory but after a while, the only people that stood out were the ones not wearing hi viz, it's not expected so it registers... so much so that one site I deliver to has changed it's hi-viz from yellow to orange as the accident rate was creeping up because everyone was used to the yellow & didn't "see" it!

At the end of the day if you can't see a 5 foot+ wide object coming towards you without lights, how will every 5 foot+ object displaying lights help? It still won't be "seen".

It is interesting though that the Swedish haven't experienced this.

Arg

A._Badger wrote: »

Penny to a pound there will be yet more Eurob**lls at the bottom of this idiocy.

Our officials are every bit as bad.

GsGti

This situation has all be caused becaue the driving test and instruction in this country is rubbish.Driving and riding is all down to common sense but the powers that be have sought to legislate the variables out of driving and it just does not work.
I drive and also ride a motorcycle,predominatley ride the bike.Now your old style Volvo DRL's were ok as they were less bright than a M/C headlight,and therefore could be distinguished between.However this new generation of DRL's are either HID or LED and much brighter,on a par with dipped beam on a motorcycle(Which has been legislated to be on all the time)and therefore effectivley when a motorcycle is in a line of traffic it dissapears!In effect it blocks one light of the car and replaces it.But the M/C can be 5,10,15 or 20 feet further forward,i.e,closer to a vehicle than the driver believes this can lead to manovers being made which the vehicle does not have the space or time to complete.They are a bad thing.Drivers should be educated better as to what is safe and sensible when driving.
How many of you drive,in FOG with your rear/front "FOG"lights on(they are poor visibility lights NOT just FOG lights)in fog(Snow/sleight/rain/smoke/smog) when you can very clearly see the normal front/rear and or poor visibility lamps/lights of the vehicle infront/behind you?How many of you queue nose to tail with them on in or out of fog?A motorcycle brake light or even just tail light is lost in a car fog light when it is used when not needed.Check the highway code for when and where to use lights!;)

Strider590

^^ GsGti You touch on what im trying to say.....
Too many idiots on the roads who think "well it's not dark, so I don't need my lights", come rain, come snow, come fog, these fools drive about invisible to everyone!

Flyboy152

GsGti wrote: »

This situation has all be caued becaue the driving test and instruction in this country is rubbish.Driving and riding is all down to common sense but the powers that be have sought to legislate the variables out of driving and it just does not work.
I drive and also ride a motorcycle,predominatley ride the bike.Now your old style Volvo DRL's were ok as they were less bright than a M/C headlight,and therefore could be distinguished between.However this new generation of DRL's are either HID or LED and much brighter,on a par with dipped beam on a motorcycle(Which has been legislated to be on all the time)and therefore effectivley when a motorcycle is in a line of traffic it dissapears!In effect it blocks one light of the car and replaces it.But the M/C can be 5,10,15 or 20 feet further forward,i.e,closer to a vehicle than the driver believes this can lead to manovers being made which the vehicle does not have the space or time to complete.They are a bad thing.Drivers should be educated better as to what is safe and sensible when driving.
How many of you drive,in FOG with your rear/front "FOG"lights on(they are poor visibility lights NOT just FOG lights)in fog(Snow/sleight/rain/smoke/smog) when you can very clearly see the normal front/rear and or poor visibility lamps/lights of the vehicle infront/behind you?How many of you queue nose to tail with them on in or out of fog?A motorcycle brake light or even just tail light is lost in a car fog light when it is used when not needed.Check the highway code for when and where to use lights!;)

They most certainly are not and if you drive with your rear fog lights on in the rain, be prepared to be asked by Mr Plod to turn them off.

Lum

Flyboy152 wrote: »

They most certainly are not and if you drive with your rear fog lights on in the rain, be prepared to be asked by Mr Plod to turn them off.

Oh how I wish this happened more often / at all.

DCFC79

pitkin2020 wrote: »

So its only on new cars basically coming through in time, not something that has to be added to older cars now. If I understand that correctly.

yes its for cars that are produced from whenever its a requirement,