Originally Posted by
Burton
Something to think about - the daytime running lights used on automobiles are actually LES bright than either the low beam or the high beams. Thats particularly true in Europe where light pollution issues has resulted in very low powered daytime running lights being the norm.
I don't know if that's true in the US. First, running lights are generally high beam lights, so they are aimed higher up (and this can mean that even if the output of the running lights is less than low beams, more of it is reaching your eyes). I googled a bit trying to get a decisive answer one way or the other and couldn't find anything. As far as I can tell, running lights in the US aren't regulated(??).
Without trying to start a US/Europe flame war, I'm not terribly impressed with European running lights. In Europe (France, Switzerland), I drive with my headlights on and this tends to freak out the locals...
Cheers,
Charles