to wonder why most Audi drivers seem to have their lights on in the daylight?

[MarysBeard]

Sorry, another driving one.

Overactive light sensor, attention seeking, or "Get out of the way, plebs"?

Yes daylight running lights. I used to drive a Volvo that automatically had the lights on all the time as its the law in Scandinavian countries.

My Saab does it too... Although its almost permanently dark in Scotland

flatpack I got it a bit wrong, it was 50%, I heard 75 somewhere but think it was a small country/area, but can't find it.

Research indicates that such a measure could make a significant contribution to reaching the target of a 50% reduction in road traffic fatalities in the EU in 2010 compared to 2001.
Taken from the initial consultation paper.

And it is obviously a waste of energy, too.

Apparently LED ones (like Audis have) use around 8w of power.

That's a lot less than your radio uses so may I suggest you stop using that in order to prevent needless energy waste.

The Road Safety Authority in Ireland had a campaign asking motorists to drive with lights on in daylight as it "reduces the risk of a collision."

Haven't seen the research they based that on but am assuming they are going by actual evidence.

I always have the lights on in the daytime. Much much safer. have a 'background grey' coloured car that is easily overlooked otherwise.

dontlaugh

flatpack I got it a bit wrong, it was 50%, I heard 75 somewhere but think it was a small country/area, but can't find it.

^Research indicates that such a measure could make a significant contribution to reaching the target of a 50% reduction in road traffic fatalities in the EU in 2010 compared to 2001.
Taken from the initial consultation paper.^

I've read the paper you linked to. It claims that it could save between 1,200 and 2,000 lives per year across the entire EU, which would contribute towards their target of 25,000 fewer deaths per year.

However, that isn't 50%, or 75%. There's no indication that it will save any lives. So there is no empirical evidence, anywhere, to indicate that this will save lives.

And the EU commission wonders why people despise it.

Yep, mine doesn't have them but more often then not I turn them on anyway. As previously mentioned, it's the law in Sweden so maybe it's the Swede in me :)

Let's just carry on then flatpack as we are, and assume this initiative is simply to piss us all off. After all, how on earth could dipped headlights during daylight hours make drivers more visible? Pssst, the thought of it....

all new cars are made with day time lights EU law NO 2million and counting.

I thought it was a silly waste of energy when I saw it too, particularly in the sunny south of France where I live, but having had a couple of near misses with cars coming towards me from a shady patch without their lights on while I was in bright sunlight (it really was very difficult to see them) I have come round to the idea.

Particularly for black cars, but then that might make legislation a bit tricky...

I hate them.

They're jealous of Volvo drivers.

I'm grateful for the automatic lights. Came in handy when someone knocked a family member of their motorbike and tried the whole "it was dark, you didnt have your lights on and I didn't see you" line. Nice try, but the lights came on when the engine was started.

it was dark, you didnt have your lights on and I didn't see you

Even so, you can't easily see bikes and motorbikes in the dark, even with your lights on, if they don't have lights and reflective stuff.

I think the level of energy they use is pretty negligible tbh

No, not compulsory in Germany but should be everywhere, imo.

I get really cross at people driving around in the rain in UK without lights on.

Much easier to see cars with lights on in bad weather conditions.

^^ absolutely Mme

my (german) driving instructor told us to always put lights on in rain, fog, winter, on the motorway. I just put them on automatically when I start the car. no forgetting this way.

True Whatmeworry, but this was a built up area, at a junction where they were both driving at about 20 mph. I don't think the driver did see the motorbike, but it was down to the driver's lack of concentration, not the biker's lack of making himself visible which the driver immediately tried to accuse the biker of.

It's because they like to show everybody how blinding their bi-xenon ImAcunt lights are. All day.

It's the law in Finland too. I was pretty confused when I first noticed it, but I think it is sensible.