Newslink November 2020

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Technical briefing MSA GB Western’s Guy Annan looks at the history of daytime running lights, and ask whether enough motorists understand why they are there, and whether their presence only on the front of cars causes confusion and negates their safety purposes Running free Daytime running lights – what are they? Put simply, they are lower wattage lights to help drivers be seen but not to help them to see. However, many drivers are unaware that cars do not have daytime running lights at the rear! They are compulsory for new cars sold after February 2011 in Europe but only for the front lights. This absence at the rear often goes unnoticed, however. Some falsely believe they do not need to have their main lights on in dull weather because they think they have daytime running lights front and rear. Volvo originally started incorporating daytime running lights around 1974 when the 240 model was launched. These were 21w front lights, proper daytime running lights, while the side light were only 3w, but at least you had lights all round. 40 Shining a light on the issue... Yet the ‘modern’ Volvo (since 2010), with the latest day running lights, does not have any rear lights! Car manufacturers began to use bright LED DRLs and it soon became a craze, often being incorporated into the styling of the vehicle. Many people see these bright LEDs and forget that they are front showing only, not a side light. This becomes the biggest problem, with people often forgetting they are not displaying rear lights, along with the problem of people who never switch their lights on, just leaving them on AUTO, unaware of whether their lights have come on or if they are indeed showing rear lights. That’s why it is a good idea for owners of all modern cars to check their vehicle to see if they have daytime running lights at the rear, and if not, to use their dipped main lights when required. Here are some good ideas for our technological age... n Headlights and taillights that turn on automatically at dusk. n Dashboards and gauges that stay dark during the day. n Tail lights that come on when daytime running lights are on. n A dashboard warning light or sound that signals when headlights are off at night. n So why don’t tail lights just stay on all the time? While DRLs are clearly bringing a very valuable safety benefit to the UK’s roads, it would be good for every driver to take just a few minutes to make sure they know whether the vehicles they drive have them or not and if they do, then check to see if they have them at the rear as well as the front. This way those that do not have them at the back will be far more likely, in poor daylight visibility, to switch on their dipped lights to make their vehicle more easily seen from behind. Having your headlights on during these periods can make it infinitely easier to spot oncoming traffic and any other cars around you. Even though it’s the daytime, headlights that are more easily visible by other drivers can prevent a collision, especially when going into a shaded area. Why do people lack the common sense to turn their lights on during reduced visibility? The reason is that we’ve come to rely on technology and common sense isn’t so common anymore. I was always taught – ‘wipers on, lights on!’ A friend of mine had a 1995 Volvo which had sidelights illuminated all round instead of DRLs. After 19 years and 185,000 miles he had to replace NEWSLINK n NOVEMBER <strong>2020</strong>
For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com one of the bulbs for the first time. It had ‘made in France’ stamped on it. The replacement is from China; I wonder if it’ll last another 19 years? It is common sense but if common sense were so common, people wouldn’t keep making these mistakes. Canada made automatic daytime running lights mandatory on new vehicles built after December 1, 1989. Studies had shown that front lights reduced collisions because they made oncoming vehicles more easily seen – from as far as a kilometre away – by drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. But those studies also found that daytime rear and side lights did not make a significant difference to the number of crashes, mainly because they are not bright enough to be seen from a distance during the day. Transport Canada says: “Even if those daytime tail lights were brighter, cars travelling at normal speeds can see vehicles in front of them in plenty of time – from about 150 metres away – to avoid a rear end collision during the day.” Volvo is an exception. If lights are set to auto, then the tail lights will come on with the front DRL. Also, when in auto mode, the car will switch off the DRLs when it gets dark, and switch on dip/ main beam subject to any light input. For 30 years it has been recommended that drivers turn on low beams during the day, even if they have DRLs. While front DRLs make cars more visible from the front and reduce head-on collisions, there is a dark side, because those lights are only in front, you do not get any added visibility from the rear. With 33 per cent of crashes being rear-enders, having your taillights on makes you more visible to the other vehicles around you, especially as it starts to get dark. The idea that tail lights ‘desensitise’ drivers to brake lights is indeed “an old wives’ tale.” - Fleet Trainer Editor’s note – Sweden changed from driving on the left to the right on 3 September 1967. Drivers were required to use lights dipped headlights during the day. This was to remind pedestrians that vehicles will be initially approaching from the left, hence no need show lights at rear. Domestic car manufacturers Volvo and Saab began to build this automatic system into their vehicles. This was later adopted in a wider market. ‘First-of-its-kind’ assisted driver grading system launched A new grading system has been launched to help drivers better understand autonomous emergency driving and other assisted driving features on modern cars. The ‘first-of-its-kind’ system has been launched by Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP in response to the “dangerous misconception” that motorists can purchase a self-driving car today. A grading of very good, good, moderate or entry is awarded to cars – depending on their performance during a number of tests. Cars are marked on three criteria: vehicle assistance (how effective the systems are), driver engagement (whether the car assesses if the driver is still in control of the vehicle) and safety back-up (whether or not the car protects the driver in the event of an emergency). One system that’s assessed is Highway Assist. The feature uses Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Centering (LC) technology to help drivers maintain a steady speed and keep a safe distance from other cars when driving on a motorway. Thatcham Research warns there is “significant potential for car makers to overstate the capability of their current assisted driving technology and for motorists to misuse it.” Matthew Avery, Thatcham’s director of research, said: “The systems that are currently allowed on our roads are Driver lane assist is one of systems graded in the new test there to assist the driver – but do not replace them. Unfortunately, there are motorists who believe that they can purchase a self-driving car today. “This is a dangerous misconception that sees too much control handed to vehicles that are not ready to cope with all situations.” After the first set of assessments, three cars were awarded a ‘very good’ grading – including the Mercedes GLE, which topped the scoring with 174. The BMW 3 Series (172) and Audi Q8 (162) were also given the top ranking. Meanwhile, while the Tesla Model 3 was the best for vehicle assistance and safety back-up, the all-electric car lost points for overselling its ‘Autopilot’ system, which was found to discourage drivers from engaging when behind the wheel. This saw it awarded a score of 131 and a grading of ‘moderate’. Mr Avery added: “The first batch of results show some car makers have developed robust assisted driving systems and that’s good to see. But there are also significant gaps in capability on other vehicles.” “Clarity is therefore required to make sure drivers understand the capability and performance of current assisted systems. “It’s crucial today’s technology is adopted safely before we take the next step on the road to automation. There are safety and insurance implications that must be considered seriously.” www.msagb.com 41
Page 1: msagb.com Newslink The Voice of MSA
Page 4 and 5: Inside this issue 06 12 20 36 News
Page 6: News Shock as Government announces
Page 9 and 10: For all the latest news, see www.ms
Page 12 and 13: News Nine down, 357 to go DVSA rele
Page 14: News Rishi dips into the coffers ag
Page 19 and 20: Government in bid to bring mobile p
Page 23 and 24: Members’ helpline For all the lat
Page 26 and 27: Special feature Clean air and savin
Page 28 and 29: Comment Rod Came MSA South East Wha
Page 30 and 31: Hazard Perception Europe needs to c
Page 32 and 33: Regional News Softies or toughies?
Page 34 and 35: Regional News Covid confusion - and
Page 36 and 37: Regional News When you can, do, but
Page 38 and 39: Regional News Does your tuition car
Page 42 and 43: Motoring Clio’s back with a bang
Page 44 and 45: Meet the ADI Continuing our series
Page 46 and 47: Membership Welcome new ADIs We’ve

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