• dmention7@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    For the life of me, I can’t figure out the thought process behind DRLs.

    Let’s create a separate set of headlights that are always on for safety and visibility… They won’t be quite as bright as actual headlights, but they are bright enough that you might think you have your headlights on. Oh, and no tail lights for some reason!

    Even my 2013 with headlights that turn off automatically when they are in the ON and the car is shut off, still insists I’m supposed to use the AUTO mode which only activates in low light.

    Nothing about about it makes any logical or safety sense. There is zero reason whatsoever that the standard for 30 years hasn’t been for all standard lights to be on whenever the engine is running, with the specific option to turn them off if desired.

    • zurohki@aussie.zone
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      1 year ago

      Headlights are designed to illuminate the road in front of you. DRLs are designed to be seen by others.

      Headlights deliberately avoid sending light up or sideways towards the eyes of other drivers, so they often aren’t very visible during the day. DRLs send light in all directions and are bright points or strips of light, so they stand out more without blinding other drivers.

      If your DRLs aren’t very good, that’s a different problem. Older ones with incandescent bulbs weren’t. They do have a purpose that headlights aren’t great at, though.

      • kautau@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yeah many modern vehicles do this really well. My car has a bright LED strip that runs over each headlight. Those are my DRLs. They don’t get in anyone’s eyes, they don’t reflect off glass, but they are very clear to see when driving during the day. At night, I have headlights. They do an excellent job at illuminating the road, but they can also shine in people’s eyes going over an incline, reflect in people’s mirrors, etc

    • batmangrundies@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I would agree if cunts didn’t pull out on me all the time in broad daylight. Driving a vehicle with DRLs drastically reduced this.

      I think the lights trigger a response that gets them to look up from their phone momentarily.

      DRLs aren’t for better visible in inclement conditions, it’s in the name. Daytime Running Lights.

      DRLs are usually lower power draw the the bulbs last longer. Driving around with your headlights on all day just means you’re replacing headlights more often.

      There’s also the heat generated by lots of LED assemblies. It’s nice to have lower power DRLs.

      • The weird part is why weren’t tail lights included in DRLs.

        At least Transport Canada, finally thought about it:

        New lighting standard

        As of September 2021 the Canadian Vehicle Lighting Regulation will require that all new vehicles sold in Canada have one of the following:

        • tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights
        • headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark
        • a dashboard that stays dark to alert the driver to turn on the lights

        This standard will apply to all new vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs, 3-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles and heavy trucks).