EU: Car lights should be on during the day

MOTORISTS may be forced to switch on their headlights when driving in daylight under European proposals aimed at improving road safety.

The European Commission wants all EU states to set a common date for making daytime running lights mandatory. It is also proposing that all new cars be fitted with lights that turn on automatically whenever the engine is started.

It claims that this will save between 1,200 and 2,000 lives a year across the EU, because cars will be more conspicuous to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

The Government opposes the idea, but admitted this week that it was losing the argument and would be unable to veto a European directive.

The Government is also concerned that daytime running lights would increase fuel consumption and pollution.

Motoring groups claim that fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions increase by 3 per cent when drivers use dipped lights.

WTF? This is the most stupid thing I have ever heard. I can see cars perfectly well in day time. Why would you need cars to have lights on when they are already lit up by the daytime?

Is it really worth it even if it does only increase carbon dioxide emissions by 3%?

This is complete madness.

It might be a good idea in places like Scandinavia where it is dark a lot but it isn’t needed here and the fact that we can’t veto it just makes it seem more and more idiotic.