Daytime Running Lights: yes or no?

My remarks were with respect to my 2010 Prius which does not have a separate DRL system. You can only run your regular incandescent headlamps or parking lamps.

 

The DLR's are LED technology and are very low amperage draw. Just don't turn on your radio.

 

In NZ the 2012 model onwards has LED running lights. They use less power than the audio system and come on when you release the parking brake. Certainly if you have a darker colour car they help with being seen. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

Yes! They turn off when car is shut off. I run them all the time, can't hurt!
I don't run the radio to save energy for the led's!

 

I leave em on. Not only for safety but I like the visual aesthetics that the glow gives off. Not too many other Prius drivers in my area keep em on though. My assumption is that when they turn on their headlights at night, they are used to turning the switch all the back when turning off the headlights, thus turning and leaving off the drl's. I rarely drive at night, so I never really experience this problem.

 

I disabled the DRLs on my 99 Camry that used reduced lowbeam headlights like the current Honda Fits.

However, the Prius painted in Winter Gray Metallic might as well be painted in a flat black radar and light absorbing paint. I have had several close calls from people who pulled out in front of me, changed lanes like I'm not even there, etc. So I definitely would have liked a factory OEM DRL system like the 2012+ models. But I have a 2011, which doesn't come with DRLs.

So I ended up making my own (link in signature below). Now, there have been no close calls where people pull out ahead of me when turning across my path. I definitely feel that DRLs make me much more visible, especially to a driver that isn't 100% attentive.

People still change lanes without checking their blindspot though. For that, defensive driving and my FIAMM Freeway Blaster horns let them know the error of their ways.

SCH-I535

 

On the 2010 Prius we use the fog lights during the day. On the 2013 Prius - it has LED DRL which we use most of the time (some of our roads require daytime lights - $400 fine) but at other times I turn them off. I really like the LED lights (low beams) on the 2013 Prius. I always thought the lights were not bright enough on the 2010 and the LED variety use less electricity and are much brighter.

 

I leave them on all the time, except when I forget to turn the headlights off.

I like that I can turn them off. It's nice at the drive in movie theatre.

 

i don't use them and i don't wear a seatbelt. i do drive the speed limit in the right lane, drive defensively and don't apply my makeup whilst driving.

 

Lucky for you your car has airbags. Sad there are people who still think a seat belt is an infringement of their civil liberties. We see people dying in crashes who didn't have to if they had worn their seatbelt. Instead of yourself think of those you would leave behind. Many also do survive but lose their sight. But it is your choice.

 

Does my 2013 v Five have DRL's?

 

I could have flashing lights and sirens and the nitwits still pull in front of me.

 

Oh, well!

DLR's? What's a DLR?

 

I hope so...

 

I see, if you drive slow enough (25 mph) no need to use them.

 

Not true. They are safer in dim daylights of winter in north Europe and Canada. They also improve visibility of motorcycles. Those are facts. It's true they may do nil during noon of summer sunshine.

Most studies showed benefits, one study did not:

from
IIHS-HLDI

 

What if the car that hit you head on is doing 65?

 

Still not a given that they increase safety if there are conflicting data within studies, at least in the United States. Perhaps they make a bigger impact in Canada and other countries with dim daylights. I agree that headlights greatly improve visibility of motorcycles, but that's because motorcyclists tend to split lanes and they're more visible in the side view mirrors (particularly those with vibrating headlights). Not so with cars, especially with those equipped with low lying DRLs.