Effects of 24-Hour Headlight Use on Traffic Safety

Status: Complete
Report Date: 11/15/2010

Summary:

Daytime running lights -- generally low-wattage headlights that turn on automatically when a vehicle's ignition is started -- are a safety feature intended to reduce multiple-vehicle crashes during daylight hours by making vehicles more conspicuous to other drivers. In some countries, such as Canada, they are required to be standard equipment on all vehicles manufactured; in the United States they are permitted but not required, and were standard equipment on about 27 percent of new vehicles manufactured in 2005 (NHTSA, 2008).

Final Deliverables:

Report #TRS1009