Running lights cut accidents - study

4 January 2002: A study funded by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found 3.2 percent fewer multi-vehicle daytime crashes for vehicles with daylight running lights, and the results have prompted General Motors to call for mandatory such lights on all cars sold in the US. The call, however, has been criticised by the US-based Center for Auto Safety, which claims it is simply a 'PR ploy' and says running lights are only 'marginally beneficial.
       
GM requested the lights in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which will review the proposal and respond within 120 days. A GM spokesman said said the lights have reduced daytime collisions by 5 percent, and daytime, single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities by 28 percent.

Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo Group and BMW already install such lights in the US, while Chrysler installs the lights in some US fleet vehicles and all Canadian vehicles. Running lights are mandatory in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Hungary and Canada.

January 2002