Road Accidents

13 January 2007

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European research reveals half of all daytime car accidents are attributable to drivers ‘not noticing’ other cars

More than half of all daytime accidents involve drivers not noticing other vehicles or recognising them too late, according to research undertaken for the European Commission by the Dutch SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research.

By driving with lights on during daylight hours (i.e. with daytime running lights) motorists increase their visibility, which can prevent crashes.

Feedback suggests that drivers view vehicles that have daytime running lights as being closer than they actually are. This means drivers take more care and take fewer risks when overtaking and when approaching intersections.

It is for this reason, according to automotive lighting specialists Hella, that a number of European countries have put in place legislation requiring vehicles to drive with lights on during the day and fines can be imposed if this requirement is flouted.

While there is no legislation for daytime running lights in the UK, car drivers can, according to Hella, easily install LED daytime lights that switch on automatically as the engine is started and guarantee increased visibility.

I have thought of an easier and more cost effective way. Simply leave your side lights on all the time come rain or shine, safe in the knowledge that if other drivers can see you, are that much safer.

Jackie Violet

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