Create a New Forum Owner Login Contribute & Create Your Member account VoyUser Login (see contribute) VoyForums Directory/Categories No-ads: Completely remove ads from your forum VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News Help Desk VoyForums Exchange FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Search VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4 ]

Subject: BMF call for a ban on daytime lights for other vehicles

Author: Bob

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 11:51:12 10/12/07 Fri The British Motorcyclists Federation BMF is increasing pressure on the Government over the threatened EU imposition of Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) for all vehicles by calling for a ban on the daytime use of dipped headlights for vehicles other than motorcycles. Writing to Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly MP, the BMF quotes recent experience in Austria where there was a disproportionate 46% increase in motorcycle accidents following the introduction of compulsory daytime running lights for all vehicles. The BMF also point out that because of conflicting and confusing evidence on the merits of DRLs in all their many forms, it has held a long standing opposition to daytime running lights on motor vehicles, (a position supported by the previous Minister for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman), but now that all vehicles could be compelled to use such lights, the motorcyclist would be lost in a ‘sea of light’ say the BMF. Although the UK does not currently require daytime running lights on any vehicle, for several years all new motorcycles sold in Europe have been supplied with ‘automatic headlights on’ (AHO). This move would now be negated if all vehicles were so equipped say the BMF and has called on the Secretary of State to ban the use of dipped-beam headlights during the hours of daylight, except for motorcycles. Commenting, BMF Government Relations Executive Chris Hodder said: “The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations already prevent the use of headlamps which ‘may dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users’ so it would only require a small alteration to the regulations to extend this to dipped-beam headlights. If this is not done, I fear the motorcyclist would become lost in a sea of light and suffer for it.” The Austrian government is now planning to introduce a law to ban the use of dipped beam hea dlights during daylight for all motor vehicles except motorcycles and only allow dedicated, low-power LED style daytime running lights. Note: The Austrian 2006/07 DRL experiment was associated with a 12.2% increase in accidents. Overall: 24,850 injured (+11%) and 324 fatalities (+17%). Children all casualties +13% Cyclists all casualties 2,814 accidents + 43 % Motorcyclists all casualties 1,400 accidents, + 46% [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]