DRL's are DOA

[VAMike]

THIS!!!! If for no other reason, this is why I don't like DRLs. I've pulled up next to cars at lights more than once, reached out, knocked on the passenger window, and told the dimwits that they were "running dark" as I like to call it.

...and that's why in the ranger they only activate when the lights are set to auto. the bigger problem then DRLs is lighted dashboards--in the old days, if your lights were off, you couldn't see the dash. at this point cars should just default to auto lights, and require action to turn that off: there are just too many morons driving around with their headlights off.

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[P-38Ranger]

This post reminded me that many many years ago. I drove an F150 on a morning commute on two lane Desert Roads in twilight. After leaving the lights on and the battery dying twice. I tapped into the Canadian headlights on with the ignition on circuit in the truck and was using that without the Dimmer module.

 

[Motorpsychology]

It's happening less now, with automakers installing led "eyebrows" or other patterns for DRLs, but "Driving With No Tail Lamps" violations was a popular gotcha ticket for a while around here. people couldn't fake "my headlights are on, officer!" with the law written that way. Reading through our county weekly newspaper, a mild DRL or license plate light out pullover often leads to Open bottle, suspended/revoked license, warrants in another county/state, etc.

 

[LaBalbe]

...and that's why in the ranger they only activate when the lights are set to auto. the bigger problem then DRLs is lighted dashboards--in the old days, if your lights were off, you couldn't see the dash. at this point cars should just default to auto lights, and require action to turn that off: there are just too many morons driving around with their headlights off.

I don't know. Make something more "idiot-proof", and reverse Darwinian evolution will produce a bigger idiot.

A few years back, I read an op-ed piece where they argued that if you wanted to make roads a safer place, you should ban automatic transmissions, and force everyone to use a standard shift transmission. The basic gist of the argument was that if you have to have the left hand on the wheel, the right on the shifter, the left foot on the clutch and the right on the brake/gas, then you don't have any limbs available to you to mess around with your phone, tablet, etc. and coordinating the movement of four limbs would require more focused driving; more stringent driving exams would mean less half-assed drivers on the road - let them use public transit. This extended to the rest of tech in cars too; in short, less tech in cars = more focused and generally better drivers. This is an over-simplification of the entire op-ed piece, but you get the general idea.

 

[AzScorpion]

THIS!!!! If for no other reason, this is why I don't like DRLs. I've pulled up next to cars at lights more than once, reached out, knocked on the passenger window, and told the dimwits that they were "running dark" as I like to call it.

I saw this all the time in AZ. I swear that 50% of the vehicles were running dark way past dusk. I always hated DRL”s and disable them in the menu day one.

 

[Chris M]

I saw this all the time in AZ. I swear that 50% of the vehicles were running dark way past dusk. I always hated DRL”s and disable them in the menu day one.

Hmmmm....I kinda like mine.

 

[Big Blue]

I saw this all the time in AZ. I swear that 50% of the vehicles were running dark way past dusk. I always hated DRL”s and disable them in the menu day one.

Personally, I wish they would do away with the headlight switch entirely. They would always be on automatic and the DRLs would include tail/marker lights. If you wanted to use the "PARKING" lights it would be a dash menu selection and would reset as soon as you started the vehicle. Same thing with turning them off. It has always been a pet peve of mine, people driving at dusk with no tailights.

 

[AzScorpion]

Personally, I wish they would do away with the headlight switch entirely. They would always be on automatic and the DRLs would include tail/marker lights. If you wanted to use the "PARKING" lights it would be a dash menu selection and would reset as soon as you started the vehicle. Same thing with turning them off. It has always been a pet peve of mine, people driving at dusk with no tailights.

This is why I turn mine off, IMHO they're useless without having the taillights on. Besides most people driving have no clue how to use their mirrors (rearview/side mirrors) so I don't buy the reasoning someones going to see you better with DLR's on. They're the ones usually driving after dark with no lights on! But to each their own and I personally don't like them and disable them.

 

[Big Blue]

This is why I turn mine off, IMHO they're useless without having the taillights on. Besides most people driving have no clue how to use their mirrors (rearview/side mirrors) so I don't buy the reasoning someones going to see you better with DLR's on. They're the ones usually driving after dark with no lights on! But to each their own and I personally don't like them and disable them.

Agreed, that is why I changed mine to include parking lamps. Very easy to do in Forscan. What is the issue with having lights all around all the time. Yes, at dusk/dawn you don't need them to see by, but they are also for other people to SEE you.

 

[TJC]

Another point to consider from the "Penny Pincher that I am". All lights will eventually fail. The less you use them the longer the replacement interval. When bulbs could be replaced it was not such a big deal, but with integrated lights into lenses it has become a major expense.

 

[LaBalbe]

Agreed, that is why I changed mine to include parking lamps. Very easy to do in Forscan. What is the issue with having lights all around all the time. Yes, at dusk/dawn you don't need them to see by, but they are also for other people to SEE you.

I get what you're saying, but having ridden a motorcycle in my younger days, back then, motorcycles used to put on our headlights to give us increased visibility to other drivers (like you describe) during the day, and especially around dusk and dawn. Now, living in a jurisdiction that requires DRLs, every vehicle is lit up from the front no matter the time of day, so even though I still keep a sharp eye out for them, motorcycles are a lot harder to spot than they were when they were the only ones lit up outside of darkness. In essence, the presence of DRLs on EVERY vehicle, actually DECREASES the ability of motorists to see the most vulnerable of road-users. This is the second major reason why I don't like them.

 

[VAMike]

I don't know. Make something more "idiot-proof", and reverse Darwinian evolution will produce a bigger idiot.

that's a great excuse for never doing anything, I guess

 

[Big Blue]

I get what you're saying, but having ridden a motorcycle in my younger days, back then, motorcycles used to put on our headlights to give us increased visibility to other drivers (like you describe) during the day, and especially around dusk and dawn. Now, living in a jurisdiction that requires DRLs, every vehicle is lit up from the front no matter the time of day, so even though I still keep a sharp eye out for them, motorcycles are a lot harder to spot than they were when they were the only ones lit up outside of darkness. In essence, the presence of DRLs on EVERY vehicle, actually DECREASES the ability of motorists to see the most vulnerable of road-users. This is the second major reason why I don't like them.

That right there is the reason the US does not have a national DRL law like Canada has. It was the motorcycle lobby that got it shot down. I have been a cycle rider for 50 plus years and beleive me being the only ones on the road with your headlights on does not make you any more visible. I have had people I can see look at me and still pull out in front of me. People just don't look/see something the size of a single cycle, whether it has lights on or not. In my years of riding, I have learned that you have to be aware of every other vehicle near you and expect them not to see you and do dumb things. You have to constantly be planning evasive maneuvers. If anything being a cycle driver has made me a more observant and safer driver no matter what I am driving.

 

[AzScorpion]

That right there is the reason the US does not have a national DRL law like Canada has. It was the motorcycle lobby that got it shot down. I have been a cycle rider for 50 plus years and beleive me being the only ones on the road with your headlights on does not make you any more visible. I have had people I can see look at me and still pull out in front of me. People just don't look/see something the size of a single cycle, whether it has lights on or not. In my years of riding, I have learned that you have to be aware of every other vehicle near you and expect them not to see you and do dumb things. You have to constantly be planning evasive maneuvers. If anything being a cycle driver has made me a more observant and safer driver no matter what I am driving.

This! When I first started driving road bikes (I always had a dirt bike since I was 6) my best friends older brother gave me some good advice. Never assume others see you coming and always be aware of who's around you. Also when pulling up behind another vehicle at a stop leave plenty of room between yourself and that vehicle and always keep eye on your mirrors. One day he was at a stop light (with another car in front of him) and had to adjust his helmet. Next thing he knew he was flying across the car into the intersection because some dimwit rear ended him and sent him flying. I remember him picking gravel out of his legs for months after that. You learn how to drive defensively (in any vehicle) from there on that's for sure.

I rode all the way up until about 10 years ago when I moved to AZ. As much as I'd have loved to have a bike there it was just getting to dangerous. To many people distracted now by their damn cell phones! Heck I had more than enough close call in my truck never mind being on a bike now.

 

[Chris M]

That right there is the reason the US does not have a national DRL law like Canada has. It was the motorcycle lobby that got it shot down. I have been a cycle rider for 50 plus years and beleive me being the only ones on the road with your headlights on does not make you any more visible. I have had people I can see look at me and still pull out in front of me. People just don't look/see something the size of a single cycle, whether it has lights on or not. In my years of riding, I have learned that you have to be aware of every other vehicle near you and expect them not to see you and do dumb things. You have to constantly be planning evasive maneuvers. If anything being a cycle driver has made me a more observant and safer driver no matter what I am driving.

Just like truck drivers have to do. Prepare for stupid people to do stupid things on the spur of the moment.

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