I often wonder what advantage day light running has in climes like Nigeria .

This is associated with the american spec cars but isn't there a way to control its usage as its absolutely trival during the bright period of the day.

Some states in America are hotter than sokoto during summer and they don't turn off their drl during the day. So i see no problem using them in the tropics. Its not as if those people have snow or fog all year long.

If I were in Federal Government Position to make policies regarding road use in Nigeria, I would make it a mandatory for all incoming (both new and used), assembled or manufactured cars in Nigeria to have Daytime Running Lights.

Sometime this year, on my way to Enugu from Abuja, I started making an important observation while i was behind the wheel. Around 1 pm, I noticed that I would feel more alert or consious whenever there an incoming car with the Daylight Ruuning Lights. I dont know how to explain this, but you can go out and try this on a highway after about 4 hours of non-stop driving on high-speed.

Daylight Running Lights helps in dealing with fatigue on a long distance driving in day time. With More Daylight Running Lights on our highways, I believe there would less sleep off cases on the highways and that would reduce accidents on our highways too. Trust me. People don't tell the truth about what caused accidents in cars they were driving when the accidents occur, that is, if they survive. No one wants to be blamed for causing loss of lives of putting others in danger. But no matter how good or experience you are in driving, there are times sleep may make an attempt on you and you dont just pull over anyhow on some parts of our highways, otherwise, you may end your jouney without that car or even lose your live. Ask those that it has happened to. My father was once a victim.

By the way, Euro spec cars do come with the Daylight Running Lights as well, not just American spec cars. My 406 V6 has it.

Ikenna

Some parts of Nigeria experiences SMOG, FOGs, DUSTs,HARMMATTARN HAZE and particulate matters in the air regularly and this causes reduction of visibility. Only cars with DRL or drivers who turn on their Headlamps and/or Hazards lights that are easily seen. I prefer DRLs in such low visibility conditions because DRLs are too dim to dazzle oncoming drivers yet bright enough to be easily seen. Besides, I totally agree with MR. IKENNA351 on issue of conspiciousness and increased attention to driving when a DRL vehicle is coming.

Some Nigerian drivers with cars without drl are even so daft that they don't turn on their headlamps when its raining heavily or during hamattan and visibilty is low. Only drl can solve this problem because whether u like it or not ur lights are always on. But then there is a little downside too. My car, a 2005 Honda accord for example has this drl that can never be turned off. So in the case where u need to sneak across a lonely street at night, how do u do it without being noticed?

^^^Most cars that have DRLs have two fuses labelled DRL in their fusible boxes one for left DRL one for right DRL. You can take away those fuses. But I don't recommend such

Alright

This is required as a safety precaution. It is axiomatic that every car/automobile being driven on the motorway needs to be consistently visible to other road users. Daytime Running LIghts affords one the opportunity to stay visible to other road users. Regulatory authorities should make it compulsory for all automobiles to have DRL installed & running whenever they are driven.

DRL is not an American spec. It is a feature on many cars but it is not a must as in other countries where visibility is poor most of the year. That's not the case with Nigeria so I don't think it should be mandatory. What should be mandatory is the time during which headlights must be on...maybe 6pm to 6am. Other laws and safety practices can be more realistic. e.g New York State law makes it mandatory that if wipers are on (due to rain, sleet, hail, snow, whatever) headlights must be on. At OP...if you feel sleepy,...first sign...you should be thinking of pulling over to rest ASAP....not depending on the glare of oncoming headlights to keep you awake....that's putting your life at risk as well as others on or near the road.

Originalsly: DRL is not an American spec. It is a feature on many cars but it is not a must as in other countries where visibility is poor most of the year. That's not the case with Nigeria so I don't think it should be mandatory. What should be mandatory is the time during which headlights must be on...maybe 6pm to 6am. Other laws and safety practices can be more realistic. e.g New York State law makes it mandatory that if wipers are on (due to rain, sleet, hail, snow, whatever) headlights must be on. At OP...if you feel sleepy,...first sign...you should be thinking of pulling over to rest ASAP....not depending on the glare of oncoming headlights to keep you awake....that's putting your life at risk as well as others on or near the road.

Op didnt say anything about feeling sleepy, I did. Is like you didnt read my earlier post well. Try and read it again. It could take 10 mins, 30 mins, 1 hour or more drive to get to a safe place or town on Nigeria highway for you to get some sleep when feeling sleepy behind the wheel suddenly while into a journey. I dont know often you ply on these Nigerian highways to understand what goes on. Because if you really think its safe to quickly pull over any part of our highways and sleep once you start feeling sleepy, then, I would say good luck to that. Most times, its better for people to fall victims or experience things through the hard way for them to learn. My Father was lucky to survive his own encounter, because he did not only nearly lost his vehicle, but his life as well. That was even back in the days the state of security has not gotten bad as it is today. Don't compare Nigerian highways with others, if you want to always get back to your loved ones in complete shape as you left. But then, it's free world. Whatever you feel is best or safe for you, please do.

As for 6pm - 6am suggested time for compulsory Daytime Running Lights. Are you really serious? What does Daytime Running Light means? How come you are suggesting it to be operated when it's already dark?

Like i suggested, take your car for a journey or a long drive in the day time. Do the observation I suggested. Whatever the result of your findings will then prove me wrong or right.


Notwithstanding, what I was trying to point out in my earlier post is that the Daylight Running Light helps to prevent drivers on highway fallen asleep behind the wheels, just like Manual transmission helps too, by keeping one more active.


Ikenna

ZIM DRILL: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/daytime-running-lights.html

Very helpful.

The writer said Euro spec cars have only their headlights and/or rear side light off with DRL. But the writer forgot that all Peugeots (if am not mistaken) with Daylight Running Lights have headlights, front side lights and rear park lights on too.


Ikenna

If I remember aright, it was the Scandinavian countries that first introduced the concept of the perception lights (as DRLs were first termed) back in the 70s or so (back when Nigerians mostly bought brand new cars, an uncle of mine had a Volvo he got new from Sweden with those funny yellow lamps). Now that I'm better informed about weather conditions in Scandinavia (dark days, extra long nights,etc), I see the need for those lamps there, but I don't think that they improve safety in brighter areas, such as Nigeria, both on or off highways. Furthermore, also considering the fact that they increase fuel consumption (albeit slightly), I think that they are of no use down here.

Ikenna351:

Very helpful.

The writer said Euro spec cars have only their headlights and/or rear side light off with DRL. But the writer forgot that all Peugeots (if am not mistaken) with Daylight Running Lights have headlights, front side lights and rear park lights on too.


Ikenna

any new car manufactured from 2008 and onwards now have DRL they can be in two working pattern

1 they turn on the moment you turn your key to postion number one but they shouldnt be bright like the main head lights and they switch off the moment you turn on the side lights or headlights

2 they turn on the moment you turn your key to postion number one but they shouldnt be bright like the main head lights AND they become a bit dim when you turn of the headlights from a distance it looks like only the headlights are on but when you look closer you will see that the head and DRL are on but they are on the same density of brightness .