Most modern cars are equipped with so-called DRL lights, or Daytime Running Lights.
The function means that the dipped beam is kept close to the advantage of small stylized lights in the front, with the aim of saving energy.
The DRL systems have given rise to a problem that is becoming increasingly common in traffic, reports Sweden’s Radio P4.
Life-threatening mistake in traffic
The problem is that when the DRL lights are on instead of the dipped beam, the tail lights are also off.
This is of course completely legal during the day as long as visibility is good, but can be life-threatening if you forget to switch on the low beams when darkness falls or visibility becomes poor.
Modern cars often have a function that controls the transition from DRL lights to low beams automatically, but according to the traffic police Robben Engdahl and the car inspector Daniel Mörn this goes slowly in many cars.
– We have noticed since a number of years ago when these rules came about these automatic DRL lights, that some cars are very stubborn about switching on the rear lights, they say to Sweden’s Radio Jönköping.
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Researchers have called for a change in the law
According to figures from VTI and Sveriges Radio, as many as four out of five drivers in Sweden drive around with their taillights off during the day, and several researchers have called for a change in the law.
– It can mean the difference between life and death, says the VTI researcher Björn Lidestam to SR.
In a VTI study from 2023, it appears that 76 percent believe that the taillights are on when they are actually off, while 84 percent prefer that others have the taillights on even during the day.
Experiments have also shown that turning on the rear lights during the day makes drivers keep a better distance in traffic.
Can result in a fine of SEK 1,200
Driving a car without DRL lights and taillights off has been legal in Sweden since 2011, but driving completely without lights is not legal.
– If someone misses turning on the candles on a normal candle and a nice day, it’s SEK 500. That is what you risk, you are responsible for your vehicle, say Robban Engdahl and Daniel Mörn to SR.
If you drive without rear lights when the weather requires it, the fine will be significantly higher.
– If it is in the dark or the weather is such that it is required that it be prescribed, then the fine is SEK 1,200, say the police.
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This way you avoid fines
If you want to avoid being fined for having your taillights off, you need to keep an eye on how the car’s light settings work.
Many modern cars have a mode called “AUTO”, which means that the lights are controlled by a light sensor. When it’s bright outside, the dipped beam and taillights are mostly off, and when it gets dark
The problem with many automatic systems is that they have difficulty detecting certain conditions that impair visibility, such as fog, snow and rain, and therefore leave the rear lights off. The solution is to set the light switch to the low beam position, then you can be sure that the rear lights are always on.
In some cars, however, the lights do not automatically turn off in low beam mode when you turn off the car, and you must then switch back to automatic mode so that the lights do not drain the battery.
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