posted
Thanks, I just read an article today on MSN about DRL's and how GM, the insurance and oil companies are trying to have NHTSA pass a law making them manditory. It.s total BS!! They see dollar signs. http://slate.msn.com/id/2090493/
-------------------- Member # M02-0968 M6, 35th Anniversary LE #102, Posts: 232 | From: Springfield, PA | Registered: Dec 2002
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FireChicken
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posted
quote:Originally posted by Big A: Thanks, I just read an article today on MSN about DRL's and how GM, the insurance and oil companies are trying to have NHTSA pass a law making them manditory. It.s total BS!! They see dollar signs. http://slate.msn.com/id/2090493/
I disagree. While I have not seen any of the actual studies, I can see how theoretically it is possible for DRL to increase the margin of safety. I always drive with front-end white lights on, simply because I know they attract more attention that cars without running lights, and the fact that other drivers may pay more attention to me means that it may provide a slight to signifigant improvement on another driver's ability to see and avoid me.
This is also remarkably similar to the theory that is used to employ "brake lights". When you see a change in the lighting pattern that indicates the car in front of you is slowing down, it provides an additional set of sensor data that you the driver can incorporate in your reflexive actions while driving. When I see a car in front of me light up its brake lights, I reflexively move my foot from the accelerator and hover it over the brake, preparing to slow down if necessary.
Additionally, some people are forgetful, or careless when it comes to turning on their headlights in low light conditions like storms, sunset, tunnels, etc. If there are running lights that are on all the time while the car is driving, this can counteract the carelessness of the driver, and make the car more visible to other drivers. In ANY low light condition, increasing the visibility of your car to other drivers on the road vastly decreases your chances for an automobile accident, and increases your odds of survivability.
Now I for one, am very conscious of lighting on my car when I drive. The vinyl decals that I use as trim on my car are all made from the reflective 3M vinyl. This is done more for safety than for effect. It makes my NBM car much easier to see from the sides and rear than before, and the lights on the front ensure that drivers coming from the opposite direction will see me. So I for one dont see any major issues with mandatory daytime running lights, albeit a slight increase in cost (perhaps a dollar or two per car for the additional wiring), and at worst it will do nothing, but it is very likely that it will improve safety, even if only slightly.
JMHO
Also: lightbulbs arent very expensive, nor are they difficult to replace in most cases, and the consumption of fuel that goes into powering lights is negligible.
posted
We've had DRL's legislated up here for years. It definitely increases a car's visibility. My Jeep's DRL's are integrated in the low beam headlight bulb, while the Camaro's DRL's are the corner parking lights. It now seems odd when we see a vehicle without them.
My vote is for DRL's. Posts: 2359 | From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Hmm, thought it was already a law...maybe I just heard talks of that. I think it's a good idea. Makes the cars more visible, no matter what kind of lighting.
On a side note, I think our cars stand out the most with our 'orange' DRL during the day. Love the look! JMHO
-------------------- 2004 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe Manual,Sunroof,16" Chrome, Zaino!!! http://community.webshots.com/user/pazbich3 Used to Drive: 2001 Camaro SS #3220 Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Jeesh! I had no idea this was such a controversy. Are we becoming a little too sensitive? I agree, maybe it should not be legislated in the US, but really, I've got bigger fish to fry when it comes to our lives being overwhelmed by the incredible number of laws and corresponding erosion of our freedoms. We should be more concerned about the loss of our freedoms in the name of security, IMHO.
My $0.02
-------------------- '00 SS #6522 Black on Black T-Top MN6
Have You Forgotten How You Felt That Day? Never Forget 9/11/01. Posts: 184 | From: Harleysville, Pennsylvania | Registered: May 2000
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posted
I think DRL's are crap and should not be mandated. They cause vehicles that rely on lights (such as motorcycles and emergency vehicles) to blend in to the crowd and not be seen. Also, stupid people that use them in lieu of headlights at dusk blind all other motorists on the road (in cars that use high beams as DRLs).
What needs to be mandated are people that don't know squat about driving a car. NJ has a "wipers on, lights on" law and signs all over the place... but I see people all the time in limited visibility conditions with no lights, or only drls, or only fog lights.
We need better enforcement of existing safety laws, and perhaps better or more testing for driving priveledges. With that we are all safer and drls are a non-issue.
quote:Originally posted by JohnS: We've had DRL's legislated up here for years. It definitely increases a car's visibility. My Jeep's DRL's are integrated in the low beam headlight bulb, while the Camaro's DRL's are the corner parking lights. It now seems odd when we see a vehicle without them.
My vote is for DRL's.
DRL's have been law in Europe for many years and in Canada since the 1986 / 87 model year. They reduce accidents period. I can obtain the stats if anyone really wants them, that's why they're on M/C - they work!
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I did Craig Leres' mod to get rid of the DRL's and the automatic headlights as soon as I bought my car.
I hate "idiot" features on cars. I want to be able to turn my lights on and off when "I" want to. How the hell are you supposed to go driving through a neighborhood to enjoy Christmas lights when you can't shut off the headlights?
DRL's look like crap too.
Thanks GM for that nifty feature...now maybe you can get the temp gauge and the remote hatch release to work properly....
-------------------- 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe RS/SS 350 - Quasar Blue, LOADED and just happens to be my pride and joy. 2002 BMW 540i 6-speed - Jet Black, nicely optioned (Daily Driver) 2000 BMW 323i 5-speed - Titanium Silver, nicely optioned (Wifes car)
posted
I think automatic heah lights are a good thing. You always have the idiot who dosen't turn his lights on til its pitch black. When most people have their lights on and on e doesn't, you can't see the car without head lights. I think its great.
-------------------- http://community.webshots.com/user/sscamaro02 AMERICAN CAMARO ASSOCIATION 2002 SS (M02-2022)(Build Date 9/10/01) T-Top,Bright Rally Red,Ebony Leather,Hurst Shifter,SLP Options: 345HP,SS Grille,SS Floor Mats,Personalized SS Rear Deck Mat,17"X 9" ZR1 Type Chrome Wheels,SS Cover,Engine Plaque. Additional Mods:GMMG Chambered Exhaust,FLP LT Headers,SLP CAI,K&N Filter,Silver Hood Stripes, Silver Letters on Rear Facia and Spohn Performance LCA, Panhard,SFC and Adj. Torq Arm w/Drive Shaft Loops.384/rwhp and 381/rwtq
1969 SS396 Olympic Gold.Unrestored,L34(350HP),M21 close ratio 4-Speed,Cowl Hood,Spoilers Front and Rear,Console w/Gages.Second owner since Nov.1971. 1 of 2018 Produced Posts: 828 | From: Denver,PA | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by sscamaro: I think automatic heah lights are a good thing. You always have the idiot who dosen't turn his lights on til its pitch black. When most people have their lights on and on e doesn't, you can't see the car without head lights. I think its great.
I agree with Ralph but if you must, check out this site
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posted
I HATE DRL'S.....plain and simple. As a motorcyclist, I believe that headlights on are good for MC's. That way they stand out more. And if you can't see a car in the daytime without its headlights or running lights on, YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING!
Governmentlegislation should only go so far as to tell manufacturers to make certain things available (as options) but not to mandate their use. Case in point is AIR BAGS......I detest air bags. My wife has to drive with her seat all the way up and until we got a car with "depowered" air bags, I disconnected them on her other car. Air bags may save lives, but a racing harness would do a better job. Air bags cause all kinds of injuries (and deaths) when they go off. But you never hear about the injuries....just the deaths.
-------------------- Dave S Black 2000 Camaro SS Posts: 502 | From: Fort Mill, South Carolina....Charlotte | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by SS_CarGuy: I HATE DRL'S.....plain and simple. As a motorcyclist, I believe that headlights on are good for MC's. That way they stand out more. And if you can't see a car in the daytime without its headlights or running lights on, YOU SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING!
Governmentlegislation should only go so far as to tell manufacturers to make certain things available (as options) but not to mandate their use. Case in point is AIR BAGS......I detest air bags. My wife has to drive with her seat all the way up and until we got a car with "depowered" air bags, I disconnected them on her other car. Air bags may save lives, but a racing harness would do a better job. Air bags cause all kinds of injuries (and deaths) when they go off. But you never hear about the injuries....just the deaths.
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