Regarding drivers and passengers not reading the now often very thick car handbook (or online document info if paperless)......have you noticed how many cars now drive around at night with no rear lights on. This is due to the EU regulations for DRL's (Daytime Running Lights - front lights only) many drivers now think because the front of their car is lit up (along with the LED dash illumination) they have rear lights on. Most cars now have an auto lights setting which would put the main lights on at night without having to remember....but you have to be aware of the function to set it.
Short trip from Sheffield to Leeds this weekend, three cars in the failing daylight doing this very thing. One was oblivious to it even when flashed by other drivers. I think it would help if the dash didn't light up with the DRL's.
yup I had one last night. he was sat there waiting to be let through a gap, I blocked the gap and flashed him. no response. flashed again, no response, held it on a few seconds, still nothing
possibly he thought I was saying 'go through' but I had also blocked the gap so I guess that confused his obviously tiny brain
f.cks sake.. roll down window and shout LIGHTS! as I went by. he's probably still oblivious
Yes, waste of time flashing lights, etc. now....that used to work because drivers then looked down at their unlit dash in total darkness and realised they had no lights on....but now with DRL's most modern cars dash/screens are lit by LED's even in daytime and seeing the front bright LED DRL's on, makes them think all their lights are on. (Many drivers are clearly unaware that DRL's on means the rear lights are off).
EU should have included rear lights in their DRL regs.....too late now as their new DRL daytime 'safety' lighting regs have actually made driving in the dark less safe than it was!
Edited by mab01uk, 28 October 2025 - 07:47 PM.
