Should the Headlights Always be on??

[Carlitos_92]

At least once a week I see a car with no headlights on driving at night on the highway. I don't get it how they can't tell they have no lights on, it is always newer model cars. Maybe they just have really good vision...

I don't think it is a surplus of vision, but rather a lack of intelligence.

For the record, I am MUCH more concerned with their complete lack of taillights than I am how well they can see. I don't drive as much now, but when I commuted more, in the winter I used to see oblivious drivers on the freeways at about the same frequency. I have literally tailed them flashing my lights, gotten in front of them and turned OFF my taillights, pulled up beside them and honked, and even shone a spotlight at their car... just to watch them continue on without a care.

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[bikemendel]

I turned the headlights off as DRLs through Forscan and instead changed it so that the yellow indicator lights are always on as DRLs. I think it’s so goofy that the XL and XLTs only utilize half of the assemblies. It looks so weird to me seeing a maverick with bright DRLs coming towards you during the day. The lights are so low in the assembly it looks like it has googly eyes. My thought is that the yellow markers might be more visible just because it stands out more than bright blue lights, and I think it gives the truck a better look. Not that I ever get to see it though… lol

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I turned the headlights off as DRLs through Forscan and instead changed it so that the yellow indicator lights are always on as DRLs. I think it’s so goofy that the XL and XLTs only utilize half of the assemblies. It looks so weird to me seeing a maverick with bright DRLs coming towards you during the day. The lights are so low in the assembly it looks like it has googly eyes. My thought is that the yellow markers might be more visible just because it stands out more than bright blue lights, and I think it gives the truck a better look. Not that I ever get to see it though… lol

I like that idea.
I have switchbacks, so mine would be white light. I don't have a cable or ForScan.
If Ford wanted us to have DRL's. Ford should have given us true DRL'S Like the Lariat.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

DRL are PROVEN to reduce the risk of dummies running into you. That fraction of a second faster of registering "Car!" may keep them from pulling in front of you.

Many cars use high beams with low voltage to do DRL. I like that better than using turn signals which get burnt out fast.

And with all the digital instrument clusters, many dummies don't think about their lights not being on.....

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

This semi driver probably didn't have his headlights on.

 

[Montana]

The headlights are LED, with about a 70-year life expectancy.

Lets not get carried away. That is perfect scenario stuff and there are more variables that come into play. Temperature and voltage being two that change that life expectancy, and the boards used for them along with any lack of silicon in just one spot can all cause that early failure that we see so often going down the roads. One headlight DRL is on, the other isn't lol.

They should last a long time, but they don't. The LED technology is great, but the cheap manufacturing process is the kicker.

That said - turn your lights on. Any lights. Something. It's just safer. But auto manufacturers could be doing A LOT more to make these headlight housings user replaceable LED's instead of having to replace the entire housing or break it open and DIY the repair.

 

[Brianx]

As a bicycle rider I can vouch that when I turn my head to look behind before turning, DRLs help

 

[TwoTone]

To those saying they don't do anything
Why would the state waste money on signage requiring headlight use at all times on some sections of long straight 2 lane roads that are affected by low sun and certain points of the day.

 

[Johnny maverick]

I just recently turned my DRLs back on when traveling on a two lane 55mph back road the driver drifted over the double yellow into my lane head on. I swerved squealing the tires just "missed him by that much."🤏. As said run your lights. it's Anything to protect yourself from crazy people. I wear a seatbelt and helmet on motorcycles for the same reason. Lot of people texting these days.

 

[SLJ]

Got rid of the always on amber turns. Now the switchback turns are also white DRLs and brighter than the low beams.

 

[Leuf]

At least once a week I see a car with no headlights on driving at night on the highway. I don't get it how they can't tell they have no lights on, it is always newer model cars. Maybe they just have really good vision, I could not see to stay on the road without lights on, this is on a 4 lane highway with no street lights and mostly through dark farmland areas.

I've done it before going down the highway during the transition from day to night when I was much younger and had rarely ever been driving during that time period. This was before DRLs so there was no light coming from my car at all. I was just cruising along and could see the taillights in front of me just fine, cause ya know they had theirs on... It just never occurred to me to turn them on until I got to my exit and suddenly couldn't see a damn thing. Especially on older cars, low beams don't really light up a whole lot of highway so as long as there is light from other cars and somebody somewhat near in front of you it's not really that huge of a difference when darkness has snuck up on you while you were driving. You also never have any headlights pointed at you to screw up your night vision on a divided highway.

 

[oysterville]

I turned off my DRLs and instead just lean my head out the window and yell "hey yo, I'm drivin' heyah" repeatedly.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...The headlights are LED, with about a 70-year life expectancy.

I see vehicles with burned out LED DRLs almost every time I drive. Just yesterday, I saw an F-150 with only one working DRL. One headlight assembly for the Maverick is over $1,000.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

.

I see vehicles with burned out LED DRLs almost every time I drive. Just yesterday, I saw an F-150 with only one working DRL. One headlight assembly for the Maverick is over $1,000.

I have also seen newer cars with burned out LED's both front and back
but, not very often.
The 70 year lifespan, is just a projected lifespan. Simulated under laboratory conditions.
As far as a study showing the DRL's save lives. Studies have also shown that if you never get into a car and drive. Chances are phenomenal that you'll never be an auto accident and die.
Life has risks.
You have choices of how you want to mitigate those risks.
Be safe

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