[NEWS]
Daytime Running Lights on cars and trucks from 2011
In an attempt to reduce accidents on the roads the European Commission will introduce compulsory Daytime Running Lights for all new cars and trucks from 2011. PTW are not included in the Commission's proposal. If the European Parliament approves the new rules, they would come into effect for cars on February 2011, and for trucks and buses 18 months later.
Dedicated Daytime Running Lights are special lamps which are automatically switched on when the engine is started. They substantially increase the visibility of motor vehicles to other road users, and have a low energy consumption compared to existing dipped-beam head lamps. In countries which have already made DRL obligatory the experience in the field of road safety is very positive.
The aim of the directive is to make cars, trucks and buses more visible, increasing road safety and contribute to the reduction of fatalities on European roads whilst being more fuel efficient then existing lights.
According to available research, Daytime Running Light (DRL) is important for road safety. All road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, can detect, recognize and identify vehicles equipped with DRL, better and earlier.
ACEM welcomes this measure as it aims at making the European roads a safer place for all users. The mandatory introduction of DRL by 2011 will ensure that the uncertainty of the potential safety implications of a mixed environment, with lit and unlit vehicles, is reduced to the minimum.
Since 2003 ACEM manufacturers introduced the "Automatic Headlamp On" solution to make PTWs visible at all times of day.
A majority of EU countries require by law motorcyclists to have their headlight on at all times, for safety reasons. In order to ensure the respect of this measure and improve PTW safety across Europe, in 2002 ACEM manufacturers began to fit their models with the “Automatic Headlamp On” solution. By June 17th 2003, all new vehicles produced by ACEM members complied with this specification. Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) is an industry standard allowing the headlamp to illuminate as soon as the engine has started. ACEM supports that this industry standard would be enshrined into EU legislation in order to cover 100% of PTWs sold in Europe.
The Motorcycle Industry has also engaged a large scale research project on a methodology for evaluating PTW conspicuity, which could lead to new lighting treatments.
Links:
[INDEX]
MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER DAY IN FRANCE
ANESDOR LAUNCHES IRT IN MADRID
INTERVIEW WITH HARLEY-DAVIDSON CEO
How do DRLs work
On vehicles equipped with Daytime Running Light, this light is automatically switched on when the engine is started. When it is dark the driver has to switch on the driving lights manually. In this case the DRL goes off automatically.
From an environmental point of view, dedicated daytime running light is an effective solution to improve visibility and conspicuity of vehicles. As the technology is especially designed to be used during daytime it is much more effective and efficient than existing lighting devices. The energy consumption is approximately only 25 - 30 % of the energy consumption of the normal driving light. When using LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology for dedicated DRL, the energy consumption is reduced to only 10%.