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Driving with your lights on in the daytime is already compulsory in many countries. In Scandinavia it has been compulsory since the 1970s! Since February 7, 2011 all new cars in Germany have had to be fitted with daytime running lights. From August 2012 this regulation will extend to new commercial vehicles. Vehicles already approved can be retrofitted with DRL lights. What are the advantages of DRL?

The benefits of daytime running lights

• Vehicles can be seen much earlier, particularly when cornering or in poor visibility
• The distance and speed f oncoming traffic is easier to judge
• Daytime running light reduces the reaction times of oncoming drivers
• It is easier to distinguish parked vehicles from moving vehicles
• Original fitted daytime running lights automatically switch on when the engine starts
• Bikers are not blinded (in contrast to dipped beam headlights)
• Special design regulations mean there is no glare

Conclusion: daytime running lights can help prevent many minor and major accidents.

Daytime running lights with LEDs: nothing lasts longer

LEDs are also suitable as daytime running lights. The special benefit here is that compared with other automotive lighting technologies they have the lowest power consumption – around 4 W per light – and the longest life. They last up to 10,000 hours. That’s 30 times longer than conventional halogen lamps.

• OSRAM product catalog: LED daytime running lights

Daytime running light versus dipped beam

Older cars are not equipped with integrated DRL. The solution is to used dipped beam during the day. The problem is that standard headlight lamps are not designed for continuous use. Their lifespan would be rapidly reduced.

Daytime running lights however have a much lower power consumption than dipped beam lights and therefore a much longer life. Because DRL lights emit forwards they are much easier to see than dipped beams which are angled downwards.

Long-life headlight lamps as an alternative to daytime running lights

If you do not want to retrofit DRL lights you should choose long-life headlight lamps. OSRAM offers ULTRA LIFE headlight lamps which last up to three times as long as conventional lamps. There is then no longer any need to frequent replacements. For these lamps OSRAM is the first manufacturer to offer a three-year guarantee.

• OSRAM product catalog: ULTRA LIFE

Retrofitting made easy

You don’t have a new car but don’t want to miss out on DRL lights. You don’t have to. Most vehicles can be easily retrofitted with DRL lights. Before buying DRL lights make sure they are approved for use. In Europe, for example they must comply with ECE R87. If the DRL lights comply with this standard there is no need to enter the retrofit in the vehicles registration documents.