Experts are warning motorists they risk making this dangerous - and potentially costly - mistake with their vehicle lights. Since 2011 all new cars in the UK are legally required to have ‘daytime running lights’, or DRLs, that come on automatically when the engine is started. These low-wattage lamps are designed to increase visibility and reduce vehicle accidents during the day.
But in many cases the DRL system does not automatically illuminate lights at the rear. And if you’re relying on DRLs in Autumn roads with poor visibility, drenched with water and spray, or during the dark instead of using your dipped headlights, which DO automatically force the rear lights to come on, you’re asking for trouble. Seven common speed camera myths In the worst-case scenario, if you mistakenly rely on your daytime running lights rather than your proper headlights , you could face a £1,000 fine if stopped by the police.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing says: “DRLs have been helping to improve road safety for more than a decade now. “But I’d urge motorists to understand precisely how they work and what job they’re supposed to do. “Here at Select, we’ve heard countless reports of people failing to illuminate their headlights and taillights while driving in poor visibility in recent weeks, and there’s a fear motorists might mistakenly believe that their DRLs are sufficient in those sorts of conditions.
They’re not. “We had a rash of reports durin.