Studies have shown that cyclists who use daytime running lights are less prone to crash.
Daytime running lights (DRLs) are a type of lighting system that can be used on vehicles, including bicycles, during daylight hours to improve their visibility on the road. DRLs are typically brighter than standard headlights or tail lights and are designed to be more visible to other drivers and road users, even in bright daylight conditions.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of DRLs for bicycles, as a way to enhance the safety of cyclists on the road. The use of DRLs has been shown to reduce the risk of accidents and improve the visibility of cyclists, especially in low-visibility conditions such as fog, rain, or overcast days.
While the use of DRLs for bicycles is not yet mandatory in most countries, many cycling advocates and safety organizations recommend their use as a simple and effective way to improve cyclist safety on the road.
To increase your personal safety while running, you may want to know if it is better to use a daylight running light. This article will help you answer that question.
The Danish Road Safety Council conducted a study in 2012 to investigate the effectiveness of permanent running lights on bicycles. The study found that the use of permanent running lights on bicycles led to a 19% reduction in accidents involving bicycles and cars, compared to bicycles without any lights.
The study involved 6,800 cyclists, half of whom had permanent running lights installed on their bicycles, while the other half did not. The results showed that the group with permanent running lights had a significantly lower risk of accidents involving cars, especially during daytime and dawn/dusk conditions.
The study also found that the use of permanent running lights had a positive effect on the behavior of motorists, making them more aware of the presence of bicycles on the road. The researchers concluded that the use of permanent running lights on bicycles could be a simple and effective way to improve cyclist safety on the road.
There are different daytime running light brands, resulting in various styles and patterns of daytime lights. Also, there are different thoughts on how a daytime light should be, and these lights are different in one way or the other.
While some brands are of the opinion that daytime running lights should be bright, other brands believe that a bright light consumes more energy and therefore requires large and heavy batteries. With this, daytime lights for cyclists are different in their level of brightness.
Speaking on how bright a daytime light should be, some brands strike a balance between here by providing a sensor. This sensor is to determine the level of brightness needed in particular areas. For example, since collisions are most common around corners, these brands design their lights that the sensor can sense corners and produce brighter light.
Another difference in daytime running lights is flash patterns. This is to enhance the effectiveness of the light in drawing the attention of other road users in daylight hours. Brands who use flashing lights claim that such a pattern yields more results than a steady beam.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo: Garry Knight (Flickr)
If you have a daytime running light, you will want to ask if it is enough for visibility without other aids, such as visible clothing.
When Trek, a giant daytime light manufacturer, released its Bontrager light, it joined forces with Clemson University in carrying out research do determine the rate of accidents reduced by daytime running lights, and what other elements were handy to bring down the rate of collision swiftly.
While the research claimed that the rate of collision reduced significantly with the use of daytime lights, the study also found that the task of reducing the rate of accident could not be left to daytime running lights alone.
In its report, Clemson University made recommendations on how to reduce the rate of collision: using a good daytime running light, going out in clothing that highlights moving parts, and choosing gear that fits the environment.
In contrary to the benefits of using a daytime running light, some studies have proven that it is not safe to use daytime running lights. While using a DRL increases the cost of fuel on the owner’s side, other road users also suffer some of the advantages of using these lights.
They cause visual clutter – rather than enhancing visibility, many road users have reported that these lights cause traffic confusion.
They influence distance perception – another complaint often heard of is how daytime running lights make vehicles using them appear closer to other road users.
They discourage cyclists from using standard lights: since daylight running lights are bright enough to light the journey, some cyclists forget to use their standard lights, which causes confusion to other cyclists and motorists. This is more common with rear DRLs, as they can mask brake lights and cause confusion.
There are different opinions on if cyclists should use daytime running lights. This article has provided you with why cyclists should use the lights and why they are not recommended.
RELATED: 5 Best Bike Daytime Running Lights
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
