You heard of this? The European Commission will require new cars in the UK to have lights that switch on when the engine is running. It’s not going to be a requirement to retrofit them to older cars.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/sa ... ights.html

A good idea. It does seem odd having to have lights on in the middle of the day in summer, but if retards didn't have lights on when visibility is poor this wouldn't have had to happen. Blame the retards not the EU. Especially the ones in silver cars driving in fog!!!

I was in Denmark just before christmas for a couple of weeks and did a fair bit of driving. Having lights on at all times made the roads safer imo. Now in the UK I have used lights almost all the time over winter. Even on a bright sunny day if someone comes around a corner with lights on I swear you'll register a car faster than if they didn't.

Also most motorcyclists have been doing this for years for self preservation.

With the sun right in front, or right behind me, then I'll use the side lights.
Depends on the light conditions.
This isn't a bad thing, IMHO.

I have not heard of this, but I suspect it will be on the radio a lot.

I think it's a reasonable idea. There are occasions when I thought a car was parked, but actually there was just a very short person out of site driving very hesitantly. Lights mean you know it's "active" at least.

Side lights never hurt anyone. Volvo are probably chuckling about this

As long as it genuinely enhances road safety (and isn't just a gimmick) then I'm all for it.

I've been using headlights during the day for about 15 years now. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, like Austria, forget and it is a fixed penalty fine and 1 point.

There is a safety concern about motorcycle riders. They have had to use daylight running lights for years on the continent and it is strongly recommended in the UK. It certainly makes them more visible, but there are concerns, if cars also run daylight running lights, motorbikes will become less visible again...

Volvo headlights do this anyway.

They once did a test following complaints of wasted fuel to keep the lights on all the time and there was no measurable fuel usage difference between running with lights on and lights off.

And like the others say, if it stops the morons driving around at night with their lights off then it's a good thing.

On motorways I put my side lights on anyway and if in any doubt also put them on. Any extra help in the visibility stakes has got to be good IMHO.

+1

Its a good thing, even in the middle of the day a quick glance in the mirrors will pick up the grey Volvo ahead of the grey BMW.

It's not just Volvo. Lots of German cars have been doing this for a couple years now. Doesn't affect me if there's no retrofit - go ahead.

It was just an example, replace BMW with X.

I’m sorry I have to disagree
As a motorcyclist I have been using lights since I started so that I would be more visible. With cars being forced to have them on bikes will again fade into the background and once again it will be bikers that will be killed

Just because some people are too stupid to know when to turn on / off their lights is not a reason to make them compulsory.

Sorry, I can't see the logic used there.

The fact that cars have lights on does not mean that bikes are less visible. It means that cars are more visible.

Yes, bikers put their lights on so that they can be more easily seen by cars approaching junctions etc... This doesn't change it just means that cars will also be more easily seen.

Following your logic, no biker should ever go out at night because not only do cars have their headlights on but there are street lights also and these will all make bikers less visible.

(some) drivers only see what they expect to see. That is why every time I have been hit by a car the first thing they have always said is “Sorry Mate didn’t see you”. This was not only when I was riding my small bikes but my BMW Tourer with lights on

If all cars have day running lights people will just filter them out as they are the norm and not the exception

Yay, lets all waste petrol for no useful reason.