Motorists will face increasing fuel bills and vehicle emissions from 2012, but possibly fewer crashes, after the government and a number of safety organisations lost their battle to stop daytime running lights becoming compulsory on all new vehicles.
Although daytime running lights (DRL) seem a safety benefit, giving motorists higher visibility, many road safety groups, including RoSPA, argue that motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians will be in more danger as the glare could be a distraction, and make non-DRL users less visible.
However, using headlights at all times could increase fuel usage by up to 1.5%, a Department for Transport report has claimed. Motorcycle user groups have welcomed this outcome.
However, from early 2011, all new types of passenger cars and light vans will have to be fitted with dedicated daytime running lamps in accordance with the relevant European directive. By summer 2012 all new vehicle types will have to be so fitted.
I just don’t get this. If they are arguing now that motorcycles will not stick out from the crowd so much if every car was fitted with daytime lights, then why would this change in a few years time?
Apparently there is substantial evidence that the mandatory use of DRL would provide a net accident reduction, however, the evidence concerning the magnitude of the effect and particularly the relationship with accident severity is considerably weaker.
Does that mean by 2011 Britain will be plunged into darkness, as global warming gets closer?
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet