The History
It was the early 1970’s, and a significant number of accidents would occur in the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and more. There was a growing need to provide a safety element that was easy to implement and could be worked into the automobile industry quickly. Since it remained dark for so long in the daytime, the road visibility was practically null, and there was an obvious problem.
The daytime running light (DRL) provided the first-hand benefit to driving in a near-permanently dark environment. Compared to the United States, the safety benefit of having daytime running lights in a dark Nordic country is almost three-fold. As moonlight levels increase, the potential safety benefit decreases unless you ride around with those awesome DRLs. Ever ridden a motorcycle? Did you notice that the motorcycle’s low beam headlight seems to illuminate when you start it up? It is a common (and voluntary) industry practice in most countries to ensure that a motorcycle’s low beam is always on when the bike is running.
The implementation of daytime running lights reduced accidents considerably, and no doubt, saved many lives.
The Purpose
Another question, ever seen a beautiful Audi with their incredible daytime running LEDs? They are quite noticeable during the day and strike at the answer to why we should even have daytime running lights. Let’s dive a bit deeper for those who see the vehicle already having headlights and questioning the purpose.
Some may propose DRLs are just an adornment for a vehicle that already has headlights installed. That’s just not true. Daytime running lights have a crucial function of adding visibility to the car whenever the engine is running, regardless of the time of day. Simply put, if the vehicle poses a threat of moving at a dangerous rate of speed or present a safety risk to pedestrians, the lights are on. After all, safety is the reason we use lights in the first place.
The Design
When designing daytime running LEDs, you need to create a pattern that illuminates exceptionally well and provides that crystal clear indication to others that you are there. Using the Audi described above, you would be hard-pressed not to see it driving around you day or night. They simply stand out, and their beaming daytime running lights accentuate the car’s style. DRLs are some of the most trendy and fail-safe exterior components of the vehicle that a consumer should invest in. They save lives and look cool doing it.
These beautiful car accessories are made of high-quality material. The LEDs are installed in a tube pattern without any gaps, which give it a laser-like appeal while illuminating.
Daytime running LEDs add a unique, stylish look that brings your vehicle to the cutting edge. Your vehicle appears to be fitted with the luxurious automotive accessories only available for the highest quality of car. Check the legal limits on different colored lights in your state. These lights look incredible in different colors. Some color examples would be xenon white, ice blue, and amber.
They make your car look high-end with a unique style of its own. From the moment that engine starts, the light presence makes your car automatically stand out amongst the rest of the road.
The Benefit
Going right back into safety again, go ahead and dismiss the naysayers and understand that daytime running LEDs are so well constructed nowadays that the environmental impact is minimal. Their use has been encouraged globally, mainly when illustrating that the use of DRLs come built into expensive luxury vehicles. If your car doesn’t come fitted with a set of DRLs, automobile shops everywhere provide selections of DRLs to fit your vehicle. Be wary of buying from shops that are upselling you a product that isn’t going to last. Underground Lighting specializes in lights. It’s always a safe bet to go with a specialist for your lighting needs because of the safety element. It would be tragic to spend hundreds on new lights getting fitted for your vehicle only to end up back in that same shop less than a year later for replacements or wiring fixes.
Another benefit of DRLs is brightness. These lights are bright but not blinding. You, as the driver, benefit from having the ability to cruise in all weather conditions. Sun, rain, or snow, you’re driving safely. These types of lights are a perfect solution for drivers and non-drivers alike. Everyone can see you going, and the flip side is you can also see them.
The Industry
It’s said that daytime running LEDs can be found at a great deal now because the industry has boosted the development of LED technology. Remember, always check with a professional before your purchase and learn about the product you’re going to put on your vehicle. There are a wide variety of options in today’s automotive lighting industry. This includes the daytime running LEDs and full daytime running LED kits, and LED strip kits.
So daytime running lights that operate automatically are a legal requirement in some countries, but headlights should always be used in reduced visibility or low light conditions. DRLs provide the primary purpose of making the roads safer during the day at the expense of a small fuel economy decrease. Even then, this decrease is almost negligible in today’s power-usage standards.
Troubleshooting Tip
One last note, if your DRLs are not functioning correctly, it may only be one side of the vehicle causing the problems. This is often because the bulbs share functionality. Before you go too far into troubleshooting, take a look at your owner’s manual. If that’s not cutting it, reach out to one of our professionals or a local expert. Safety is what lights are for, but go ahead and be safe by adding some style with some beautiful daytime running LEDs.