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A Fleet Safety Association product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 7, 2006

Trade association supports daylight running lights.

Trade association supports daylight running lights.

According to the DfT, it seems inevitable that UK drivers are going to have to accept the latest EU motoring-related directive - the mandatory requirement to have headlights illuminated at all times when driving, irrespective of the light level.

It seems this is likely to be a legal requirement by 2008.

Whilst this will no doubt require a substantial culture shift by UK drivers, the Fleet Safety Association is hoping that one of the highest risk groups of motorists in this country - high mileage business drivers - will not only accept the added safety benefits of the proposal but also set an example by complying readily.

"After all, what are the downsides of having dipped headlights on at all times? says Association spokesperson Steve Johnson.

"Some so-called experts have claimed that by having headlamps on all the time, fuel consumption rises.

That may have been the case decades ago but, with the advent of new generation bulb technology and charging system management, the added electronic consumption is barely measurable.

"Also, drivers should remember the many other factors that can increase fuel consumption and then put daylight running lights into perspective.

Due to variable tyre rolling resistance you will use more fuel when it's raining, when it's cold and certainly if you don't check your inflation pressures regularly.

"Driving style has a huge impact too and courses run by Association members can pay real dividends in this respect".

There is no question that making it a requirement for all vehicles to have headlights on at all times will provide huge safety benefits.

Thanks to changes in the way road crashes are reported on by the police, we now have a better idea what causes them.

The latest DfT publication "Contributory factors to road accidents" confirms that the most common cause of crashes was 'failing to see properly'.

It stands to reason that vehicles with headlights on will be easier to see and therefore react to.

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