NHTSA Proposes Reduced Glare From Daytime Running Lights In Motor Vehicles

NHTSA
August 3, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 39-98
August 3, 1998
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today proposed changes to the vehicle safety standards for lighting to reduce the problem of glare from some daytime running lamps (DRLs).

"Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater. "The improved ability to be seen provided by daytime running lights is possible without annoying and unnecessary glare."

NHTSA is proposing a three-step solution. The first step is to require that DRLs based on upper beam headlights be reduced in intensity by more than half in newly manufactured vehicles beginning one year after the final rule. Two years after the final rule, lower beam DRLs on newly manufactured vehicles would be limited to about half the currently-permitted intensity . Finally, four years after the final rule, DRLs on all newly manufactured vehicles would be limited to about one quarter of the intensity of today's brightest DRLs.

"These changes are a response to hundreds of complaints from the public about glare from these optional devices," said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. "Older drivers should be particularly pleased with the proposed change because their eyes tend to be more sensitive to glare."

General Motors, Saab, Volkswagen and Volvo all provide DRLs as standard equipment on their vehicles. The change is in line with DRL intensities established in Europe, and, depending on the hardware chosen by the vehicle manufacturer, is compatible with Canada's mandatory DRL rule.