DucDude

So you're perfect then...that's great for you. Unfortunately for me, I'm human and I realize that I have limitations. For example, turning left while riding straight in to the low lying sun on the horizon, or changing lanes with the sun at my back shining directly in to my mirrors. It's much easier to spot a vehicle with DRL's than one without, and that is to my advantage.

I'm well aware motorcycle crash statistics - I've been riding both on the street and on the track for many years. What I fail to see is how making vehicles, regardless of size, more visible to everyone, is a negative for those of us riding motorcycles?

timlocke

VCDS will let you have the rear lights on with the DRLs which is not required in Canada ( where we have had DRLs for 20 years now) but is safer still at those times when the Auto lights have switched off or not yet switched on.

ELEVENS

No, far from perfect and I certainly don't want to provoke an internet fight, which is about the biggest waste of time I can think of.

The website in the link below will explain it far better than I ever can. Years ago (early 70's) I fought against the nation energy speed limit by joining the spearhead of the opposition, the NMA. Check out their page on DRLs. If nothing else, it might point out an alternative view:

Daytime Running Lights

DucDude

After reading through the link you provided I have to say, it all sounds like environmentalist hippie nonsense to me.

I really like how they suggest that the use of low wattage DRL's all but eliminates the visual distinction of flashing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles. It sounds like something concocted by some low-life ambulance chancing personal injury attorney.


Oh well, to each his own, I guess.

ELEVENS

Yea, I hear ya. There's no shortage of environmentalist hippie nonsense. Though the NMA is pretty much pedal-to-the-metal gearheads

Dalancroft

Short take: You, and everyone around you, is safer running DSLs.

As they used to say on BlogWorld, that is all.

SJGQ5

I like the option of 'on' or 'off'. My 06 IS350 only had the 'on' option..unless you had the dealer get into their service menu and turn them off..which I did.

Flashing 3rd brake lights are supposed to make things saver too..but I find they highly annoying..

underwhirled

This is an interesting discussion, indeed.

I live in NWA where we have a massive Bikes, Blues, and BBQ rally every fall. I go to the festivities every year. I'm mixed on the analysis of DRL's in the link provided by Elevens only because half the custom bikes have many extra LED lighting effects.

Seriously, you should see all different glowing lighting schemes available to bikers - it is awesome.

Each year they publish accident data after the Rally. Last year they estimate that about 400K visitors attended adding 35 million to the local economy. I think there were about 2 accidents a day - most not serious. Really only a few arrests for public intoxication.

We have a lot of people running DRL's here, and I think I'm more likely to hop a curb looking at some of these amazing machines running down the road, than they are to hit me. Most of the bikers are very careful as their bikes are not cheap!

Plasticar

As far as increased safety, this has obviously been covered on both sides here. For me, the DRL, especially the light-pipe style, is a signature of Audi. Although others are copying the look, we were the originator and still lead in distinctive lighting. As far as wearing out the "light tubes", that pretty much won't happen. They are actually specially developed plastic (polycarbonate or acrylic) with properties and shape design that cause the light to travel along the tube shape and leak out the sides in a particular manner. The only active element is the LED that provides the light. We all know that LEDs last for a very long time, so I wouldn't worry about that at all.

NorthValley

Anyone running without DRL's nowadays is doing a disservice to road safety!