Why do people drive with their headlights on during broad daylight?

Question

Lately, I've noticed this as I drive on the highway from day to day. Usually around noon, under the bright, sweltering sun, people driving on the highway will keep their headlights on. It couldn't possibly be done to SAVE energy nor do they need an extra 4 feet of light since light is virtually everywhere during this time. This has bothered me for quite some time. Does anyone have a rational explanation for this?

Answer 1

Many car manufactures now include this feature, listed as daytime running lights.

It for for visibility - not for the car running the lights, but so others can see them more clearly. Also, in some states, like NY, you are required to turn on your lights if the windshield wipers are running.

Doesn't take much power.

Answer 2

While some cars automatically turn their headlights on while driving, some people choose to do it themselves for safety. This is because it is actually easier to see an oncoming car, even in broad daylight, when its headlights are on.

This practice actually originated in Sweden in 1977 because of low ambient light levels in the Winter months. Closer to home, Canada began requiring Daytime Running Lights, or "DRL" on new cars starting in 1990.

In 1995, the US legalized the use and installation of Daytime Running Lights on all cars.

According to the wikipedia article on DRL's, Europe has found evidence that the use of DRL's increases fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Answer 3

Most all vehicles newer than roughly '96ish have Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). They are like this from the factory and is just for better visibility by other cars. You know they don't have their headlights on because they won't have taillights. At least not until it gets dark.

Answer 4

All of the answers here describing daytime running lights are accurate. It is indeed safer to drive with your lights on during the day, because your car is easier to see. However, another reason is that there is this guy named Tom Leykis in Los Angeles who as a radio show every afternoon, and he has what is called "Flash Friday", and if you turn on your headlights on Friday afternoon, women are supposed to flash their bare breasts at you. So that would account for a portion of the lights you see.

Answer 5

Some cars, like mine, are equipped with daytime running lights. There's no penalty for driving with your headlights on in the daytime. It isn't worth losing sleep over.

Answer 6

Wiykd you believe it, some places this is required by the law.

Theory is, I believe, the car is easier to see at a greater distance if they have lights on. It is a safety notion.

Answer 7

Many vehicles are equipped with DRL or daytime running lights. My car has this feature which I don't particularly care for but that's probably what you are noticing.

Answer 8

It might not be their headlights. It might just be their running lights, some of the newer cars have these. They always come on when you start the car. My sisters car is like that, it really annoys me.

Answer 9

it,s a safety thing some of the cars now of days have there
light come on as soon as they start the motor ,some times
during the day i,ll dry with the parking lights on ,but like i said
it,s a safety thing .

Answer 10

because my stupid headlights wont turn off. I guess its to make you "SEE" me during the day. wELL guess what, its daylight, and my headlights won't turn off because the retard who designed my truck felt guilty for hitting a pack of heat stroking bycyclists. Need to make sure it doesn't happen again you know?