Raid safety benefits of extra lights challenged

European Commission claims that daytime running lights on cars improve road safety were challenged by an MEP today.

The Commission, unveiling proposals to make permanent lights compulsory for all new cars from 2011, said the increased visibility had demonstrably increased road safety in countries where running lights were already in use.

But British Conservative transport spokesman in the European Parliament Timothy Kirkhope said too much light could distract drivers and put cyclists and pedestrians at greater risk.

Now the Commission says the proven safety benefits should be extended to all EU countries.

EU Industry Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said: “The introduction of Daytime Running Lights (DRL) for cars, trucks and buses makes them more visible, which will increase road safety.

“This will make a positive contribution to our goal of reducing fatalities on European roads whilst being more fuel efficient then existing lights.”

He said available research showed road safety benefited because of swifter identification of approaching vehicles, and car industry chiefs and NGOs had backed the move.

The aim is to have daytime lights on new cars and small vans from February 2011, and on lorries and buses 18 months later, from August 2012.

A Commission statement said that not only did DRL improve vehicle visibility, but modern running lights would be more energy efficient than existing ordinary car lights.

It stated: “The energy consumption is approximately only 25 to 30% of the energy consumption of the normal driving light. When using LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology for dedicated DRL, the energy consumption is reduced to only 10%.”

But Mr Kirkhope said the benefits may not outweigh the pitfalls – claiming too much light could distract drivers’ attention away from unlit objects and other “visual information”.

Mr Kirkhope said: “When the Commission first mooted compulsory daytime running lights, MEPs were inundated with letters from cyclists concerned that daytime lights would make it more difficult for them to be seen.

“If all cars have lights on, there is a concern that drivers start looking out for lights, rather than pedestrians or cyclists.

“At a time when we are pushing for reductions in the use of fuel and resultant emissions, we must be certain we are not causing extra carbon emissions without an additional benefit.”

The MEP called for an independent assessment of the benefits before any EU legislation on vehicle running lights was approved.