Warning over Daytime Running Lights

Daytime Running Lights, which will soon be compulsory in Europe and are appearing on an increasing number of cars on Australian roads, were designed to improve road safety by attracting attention.

But they've been attracting the wrong kind of attention locally, with police in most states and territories stopping cars unnecessarily because they've mistaken them for foglights.

Owners of HSV's new E2 range have reportedly been stopped by police in most states and dealers have resorted to advising distressed customers to show police the owner's manual.

One senior Mercedes-Benz Australia executive was also stopped while driving a car with DRLs but avoided a ticket after he pointed out that they're a safety feature and pass the Australian Design Rules.

It is yet another example of where the latest technology has either overtaken the rules, or the rules have not kept up with the latest technology.

It opens the question: should it be the responsibility of federal regulators to issue memos about new technology to authorities? Or should the onus be on car makers?

In the interim, several car makers are in the process of drafting a formal letter to the various authorities in each state and territory so their customers are not unnecessarily harassed.

Driving with fog lights on in clear conditions is an offence in most states and territories. But this law could have a shadow cast over it now that DRLs, which can be brighter than foglights, are allowed by law.

Using foglights at night in clear conditions would, however, still be illegal.

The HSV E2 series is the first locally made vehicle with DRLs and it seems HSV is paying the price for being a pioneer.

"To date, we're not aware of any of our customers being issued fines but we have had reports that some customers have been stopped by police," says HSV spokesman Simon Frost.

"Fortunately, commonsense has prevailed and the police have been reasonable and understood the explanations from our customers."

The irony is that with the HSV E2 range, the addition of DRLs means the foglights have been replaced.

Other cars with DRLs include the new Audi range, most new Mercedes-Benzs, BMWs and Porsches, and the new Volkswagen Golf.

DRLs are said to improve safety because they increase the visibility of the car to other traffic, especially on shadowy, tree-lined roads and at dawn or dusk.

DRLs have been mandatory in Scandinavia since 1977 and will be compulsory in Europe from 2011.

Their brightness ranges from 400 to 1200 candelas. The HSV E2 lamps appear to be particularly bright but are in fact well within the limits, with a maximum output of 950 candelas.

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