The Drl Legislation - 7Th Feb 2011

[WAYNEOLEEDS]

Ok heres one... anyone that bought a car after 7th feb.. i.e GO owners etc .... are we not supposed to have DRL's fitted as standard?

[Nick Brown]

Ok heres one... anyone that bought a car after 7th feb.. i.e GO owners etc .... are we not supposed to have DRL's fitted as standard?

You tell me !!!!!!

[Duce D]

Ok heres one... anyone that bought a car after 7th feb.. i.e GO owners etc .... are we not supposed to have DRL's fitted as standard?

I thought it was new models only. By "new" i read that as New rather than "existing model with a different name" if that makes sense?

[Jamesbelfast]

The UK guidance applies to new models launched after February 2011. So in essence a vehicle/model which has gained its European Type approval prior to this date doesn't legally need to have DDRL's fitted.

See link below.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

[WAYNEOLEEDS]

Ok heres one... anyone that bought a car after 7th feb.. i.e GO owners etc .... are we not supposed to have DRL's fitted as standard?

You tell me !!!!!!

real helpful

[WAYNEOLEEDS]

The UK guidance applies to new models launched after February 2011. So in essence a vehicle/model which has gained its European Type approval prior to this date doesn't legally need to have DDRL's fitted.

See link below.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

So basically from what I understand its new models only after feb 2011 so anything thats currently still in production pre feb 2011 doesnt have to have these.

Meaning that when the Aygo gets a facelift it has to have them fitted then .. i get it

[Jan&tone]

The UK guidance applies to new models launched after February 2011. So in essence a vehicle/model which has gained its European Type approval prior to this date doesn't legally need to have DDRL's fitted.

See link below.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/info-runninglights.pdf

So basically from what I understand its new models only after feb 2011 so anything thats currently still in production pre feb 2011 doesnt have to have these.

Meaning that when the Aygo gets a facelift it has to have them fitted then .. i get it

Correct. Some manufacturers had already planned in the DRL's on slightly older models - however my understanding is that if a model was already in production before the deadline than DRL's may be an option, only NEW models after the deadline MUST have them.

[MartyB]

What is DRL?

[Jan&tone]

What is DRL?

Daytime Running Lights - same sort of thing you've seen on Volvo's and Saabs for years - now the EU are insisting that we have them as well :(

We now won't be able to pick out Motorcycles instead of cars - more motorcyclists killed from now on, 'cos we didn't see them with all the damn lights on!

imo totally unnecessary - bit like fog/long range lights....

[Parts-King]

imo totally unnecessary - bit like fog/long range lights....

x 2, a waste of time and far too bright, annoying IMHO

Kingo

[Jan van de Wouw]

-1

I actually like DRL. Before I had them on my car I allways had the headlights on,

so on that subject there's no real difference in relation to motorcycles.

Oh wait, there IS... My DRL is mounted lower than the headlights are,

so they're muh more obvious as NOT being on a motorcycle...

Second benefit is that my brake lights are more visible now, as the taillights

aren't on. Same for the indicators. And lastly I save fuel by running

only 12W of electrical power instead of over 130W (at lower effecency)...

[Duce D]

It does mean now it is a lot less safe cycling in built up areas and this will get worse as more and more cars have DRLs as drivers will just look for "lights" rather than for "things".

I (fairly) regularly cycle through central London and the amount of 4x4s and big Audi/BMW/Mercs that now have the DRls has increased quite rapidly recently!

Cycling in twilight hours is even worse as cars pulling out of side roads cant see a cyclists light over a cars DRl. I now have three lights when cycling, a solid white LED, a flashing white LED and a head-mounted flashing white LED. So far only 2 cars have pulled out on me this month (9 days into the month) and both times the driver has said "they hadn't seen me"! Luckily i have good brakes!

I don't think they are necessary really and just mean you will use more fuel in the long run. Admittedly the LED versions only use 10-20 Watts but that is still more than 0 Watts which will be completely wasted on a summers day!

Mini rant over!

[grinner82]

I hope they become a option to fit, I just like the look of them, I would retro fit them, but have not found any that suit at the moment, as soon as I do, will get myself some!

[Jan&tone]

Seems to me that DRL's are going to cause as much discussion as HID's

The problem being that in 10 years or so, maybe earlier, all cars will have DRL's, well most anyway....

I just wonder whether DRL's will go the same way as seatbelts, new cars at first, then retrofit....

I actually find some of them too bright, but as Duce says above, it's summer, i suspect in the autumn/winter they will be much much too bright.

[AYGOgummy]

Some of them are too bright, agreed. But I certainly don't think they're unnecessary. The speed by which light travels means you can see a car earlier than you would if it was un-lit. I still find it easy to judge which vehicle is a motorcycle and which is a car - even when driving amongst Audis and BMWs which already have relatively high-mounted DRLs (i.e in line with headlights). Some, granted, are too glitzy, but overall I think they really add to car design and definitely aid safety.

The only problem is the drivers with this really - I pulled up outside a friend's house a couple of nights ago and we were horrified when we saw one of the latest Ford Mondeos coming round the corner with ONLY its DRLs on - at 10pm! No lights at the rear, the driver really must've been an oblivious fool.

[MartyB]

The speed at which light travels, lol. It all travels at the same speed so a car with or without lights on will be seen just as quick. Light reflected off a car in to your eyes travels at the same speed as light produced from a bulb. Hence big distances are measured at light speed.

I think its a good idea as the amount of dark cars that travel at dusk with no lights on could do with something.

[ormi]

the legislation wont come into play on current models inc those which get a face lift