2008 Mustang Bullitt

[SVT666]

Sometimes I want my black car to blend in. Especially if I'm exceeding the speed limit.

Although not a good thing when someone doesn't see you and they pull out to pass.

And if everyone has them on, you don't stand out anymore, which is the point on motorcycles. If everyone uses them, then you defeat the purpose of them both on cars and on motorcycles.

It's only to stand out from your surroundings, not other cars.

[ChrisV]

Although not a good thing when someone doesn't see you and they pull out to pass.

gee I wonder how I've survived without DRLS for 30 years.

It's only to stand out from your surroundings, not other cars.

Your surroundings usually ARE other cars. I've never had or seen a problem when you were the ONLY car in the area.

EXCEPT...

I feel differently about headlights and rainy days.

But again, headlights do the job of making you stand out from your surroundings, and all you need is to turn them on to get the benefits if you feel it's necessary. So you, in a non-DRL car can get the benefits YOU want when you want them by using that factory installed switch (that's been there on pretty much every car with headlights for a century), and I can have them off when I want them off and on when *I* want them on. Without having them mandated for ANYONE.

If you think that DRLs are better than headlights for separating you from your surroundings because they are only half as bright as headlights, then I can only wonder about what logic brought you to that point.

[Vinsanity]

these pics from edmunds reminds me of a brief 6-month stint owning a 1986 V6 Mustang while I lived in south GA





only I was able to do this with just one wheel: 

[SVT666]

If you think that DRLs are better than headlights for separating you from your surroundings because they are only half as bright as headlights, then I can only wonder about what logic brought you to that point.

Chris, you may be a good alert driver, but the vast majority of people are not.  I also live in a part of the world where for half of the year it's dark or dawn on my way to work and dark or dusk on my way home.  I remember the pre-DRL days where at least half the drivers wouldn't turn on their headlights at dawn or dusk and you couldn't see them.

[SVT666]

these pics from edmunds reminds me of a brief 6-month stint owning a 1986 V6 Mustang while I lived in south GA





only I was able to do this with just one wheel: 

[ChrisV]

Chris, you may be a good alert driver, but the vast majority of people are not.

And so you want ME to be mandated to do something because someone else can't? I do not like that socialist, lowest common denominator mindset. It's what gave us the double nickel and all sorts of laws that make sure stupid people stay stupid. If you're mandated to not think for yourself, you lose the ability to do so.

If YOU want to stand out from your surroundings, use the headlight switch. If you want OTHERS to stand out from their surroundings, teach them to use the switch. If they don't, then YOU need to up your abilities as a driver and pay attention to your surroundings to SEE those people at dusk and at dawn (where I tend to drive on MY commute as well).

It's simple. If you want DRLS on your car, turn the switch on and leave it there. If I don't want them, I can leave the switch off until *I* want it on. It's called freedom of choice.

[SVT666]

And so you want ME to be mandated to do something because someone else can't? I do not like that socialist, lowest common denominator mindset. It's what gave us the double nickel and all sorts of laws that make sure stupid people stay stupid. If you're mandated to not think for yourself, you lose the ability to do so.

If YOU want to stand out from your surroundings, use the headlight switch. If you want OTHERS to stand out from their surroundings, teach them to use the switch. If they don't, then YOU need to up your abilities as a driver and pay attention to your surroundings to SEE those people at dusk and at dawn (where I tend to drive on MY commute as well).

It's simple. If you want DRLS on your car, turn the switch on and leave it there. If I don't want them, I can leave the switch off until *I* want it on. It's called freedom of choice.

I understand what you are saying Chris, however this is one of those things that has to do with public safety since there are millions of morons driving cars these days.  I suppose you oppose seatbelt laws too.

[FoMoJo]

And so you want ME to be mandated to do something because someone else can't? I do not like that socialist, lowest common denominator mindset. It's what gave us the double nickel and all sorts of laws that make sure stupid people stay stupid. If you're mandated to not think for yourself, you lose the ability to do so.

If YOU want to stand out from your surroundings, use the headlight switch. If you want OTHERS to stand out from their surroundings, teach them to use the switch. If they don't, then YOU need to up your abilities as a driver and pay attention to your surroundings to SEE those people at dusk and at dawn (where I tend to drive on MY commute as well).

It's simple. If you want DRLS on your car, turn the switch on and leave it there. If I don't want them, I can leave the switch off until *I* want it on. It's called freedom of choice.

Are there seatbelt laws in the US?

[Nethead]

Are there seatbelt laws in the US?

FoMoJo: Oh, yes--fines for anyone in your vehicle not wearing seatbelts while on public highways. I've worn seatbelts voluntarily since I got my first driver's permit. And that was so long ago the Driver's Education car was a '63 Chevy Biscayne four-door sedan with a three-on-the-tree, dual clutch pedals, and dual brake pedals. My fiancee at the time took Driver's Ed two years later and the cars were automatics--and may still be automatics to this day...

[FoMoJo]

FoMoJo: Oh, yes--fines for anyone in your vehicle not wearing seatbelts while on public highways. I've worn seatbelts voluntarily since I got my first driver's permit. And that was so long ago the Driver's Education car was a '63 Chevy Biscayne four-door sedan with a three-on-the-tree, dual clutch pedals, and dual brake pedals. My fiancee at the time took Driver's Ed two years later and the cars were automatics--and may still be automatics to this day...

I wasn't sure.  I imagine that there was a lot of the same sort of objection when those laws were introduced.  Personally, I'm for safety laws.  Statistically, seatbelts can save our lives. Statistically, so can DRLs...as well as someone elses.

[The Pirate]

Are there seatbelt laws in the US?

Yes, all front seat passengers need a seatbelt at all times.  Rear seat passengers can opt not to wear one once they are above a certain age.  This age varies from state to state, I think.  In New York state, it's either 16 or 18 (I can't remember, I always wear a seatbelt, and I require my passengers to do the same).

[The Pirate]

I understand what you are saying Chris, however this is one of those things that has to do with public safety since there are millions of morons driving cars these days.  I suppose you oppose seatbelt laws too.

Though I'd prefer not to have DRLs on my vehicle, I agree with your point, and wouldn't necessarily oppose such legislation.  Like you said, lots of idiots on the road today, and I'm all for something which is going to give them the jump on seeing a potential hazard.

I always turn my lights on when it's raining, or any other time visibility is compromised. 

[Danish]

How much more can they possibly cost than a no-DRL car?? Bulbs last for ages these days, I don't have to replace a headlight more than once every 3-4 years for $20.

I take it you don't have SilverStars

[Raghavan]

If you can't see other cars because they don't have their headlights on then you're blind.

[The Pirate]

If you can't see other cars because they don't have their headlights on then you're blind.

In certain weather conditions (ones that might not exist in California), visibility can be shit.  Mid-morning (8 am or so), it's light out but there will still be a lot of fog around here.  Without lights on, you may not see a car til it's 40 feet away.  I'm far from blind too.

This is fairly common too, it happens a lot on my commute.

[r0tor]

well, if its foggy outside the smart thing would be to have your lights on so you don't wail the guy pulling out of the sidestreet that doesn't see you because your driving in a fog bank with no lights on...

[SVT666]

well, if its foggy outside the smart thing would be to have your lights on so you don't wail the guy pulling out of the sidestreet that doesn't see you because your driving in a fog bank with no lights on...

Like I said before, there are a lot of morons on the road these days who won't do that, and I don't feel like not seeing a car because he didn't turn his headlights on and getting killed for it. 

[Raza]

in the US, motorcycles need to have their headlights on...

...at night.  Most bikes I see ride with headlights off.

[Raza]

In certain weather conditions (ones that might not exist in California), visibility can be shit.  Mid-morning (8 am or so), it's light out but there will still be a lot of fog around here.  Without lights on, you may not see a car til it's 40 feet away.  I'm far from blind too.

This is fairly common too, it happens a lot on my commute.

When I had the E320 (DRLs off) I would turn my inside lights on in overcast conditions and at early dusk or dawn. That's when visibility is supposedly the worst. 

[The Pirate]

When I had the E320 (DRLs off) I would turn my inside lights on in overcast conditions and at early dusk or dawn. That's when visibility is supposedly the worst. 

The interior light?  What is that going to accomplish?

[Danish]

In certain weather conditions (ones that might not exist in California), visibility can be shit.  Mid-morning (8 am or so), it's light out but there will still be a lot of fog around here.  Without lights on, you may not see a car til it's 40 feet away.  I'm far from blind too.

Two days ago, at 830am, due to the fog out here, some guy in a tanker hit the Bay Bridge

It can get bad out here too

[MX793]

Are there seatbelt laws in the US?

Not at the national level.  Most states require them, some do not.

[MX793]

...at night.  Most bikes I see ride with headlights off.

Then the owner has (illegally) modified the bike.  Every motorcycle sold in the US since like 1975 has the headlight hardwired to the ignition.  If the key is on, the light is on.  This is mandated by federal safety regulations.

[TheIntrepid]

I believe that DRLs are required for all cars, but not required to be activated.  My E320 was said to have DRLs, but the default position was off.  I could turn my DRLs off in the Passat by simply buying a Euro-spec light switch.

I disabled my DRLs.

[Raza]

The interior light?  What is that going to accomplish?

Oh, didn't explain that well enough.  The E class had four lamps, two outer headlamps that are the main beams, and two inner lights that are smaller and used as daytime runners or singularly as parking lamps. 

[Raza]

Then the owner has (illegally) modified the bike.  Every motorcycle sold in the US since like 1975 has the headlight hardwired to the ignition.  If the key is on, the light is on.  This is mandated by federal safety regulations.

Really?  I'll keep an eye out then; it always seems like I see bikes without the headlight on.

[93JC]

I disabled my DRLs.

I'm pretty sure that's illegal in Ontario...

[Raza]

I'm pretty sure that's illegal in Ontario...

He also removed his front plate.  He's sticking it to the man.

[Soup DeVille]

He also removed his front plate.  He's sticking it to the man.

Don't make me laugh like that raza: coffee and keyboards don't mix.

[93JC]

He also removed his front plate.  He's sticking it to the man.

WHOA.

Badass...