Running lights (on cars)

[Polarbear]

Just a question for anyone.

As obviously you are all aware, modern bikes lights turn on with the ignition. Headlamp and tail lights.

So why in god's name do modern cars with running lights only turn on the front and not the tail lights?

I ask because wifie has a habit of driving off to work in the twilight (illuminated street) with just the riding lights on. If the tail lights came on it wouldn't be so much of an issue but they don't.

Is there any logical or legal reason why they do not turn on withvthe running lights?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Robby]

I don't know why tail lights don't come on with running lights, but most modern cars have automatic headlights, where the headlights and tail lights come on when it gets dark (or you go into a tunnel, or under a particularly wide bridge).

So the problem is fixed on modern cars, but in a different way.

[Polarbear]

[doggone]

[blurredman]

Running lights are a scurge.
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 39k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 50k.

[The Artist]

The rules governing daytime running lights are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, which refers to UNECE Regulation 48, which in turn is decisively influenced by the EU. According to the 05 series of amendments to the regulation (UNECE Regulation 48-05), rear lights on new private cars produced after 30 July 2016 must switch on automatically when it becomes dark.

As a result of this amendment, light sensors are to be fitted to all new models so that the rear DRLs are automatically switched on when it becomes dark. The reason why the rear lights, as opposed to the front lights, do not at present automatically switch on as soon as the car is started, is to do with CO2 emissions, which are reduced by rear lights being switched off when it is daylight.

I am pro being eco-friendly but I can't imagine the energy saving from not running rear DRL's all the time is much at all. Seems quite an odd choice. Some cars do have rear DRL's now though.

[Polarbear]

[virus]

[Easy-X]

I'm in the middle of replacing the DRLs on the old Skoda at the moment (waiting on parts) not because of the energy savings but the heat. Over ten years of an always on filament bulb has partially melted one of the fittings. LEDs run much cooler.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Evil Hans]

[Polarbear]

[ThunderGuts]

Some bikes do have DRL (I think the newer KTMs and BMWs?) although not sure if that illuminates the tail lights or not too.

The biggest issue I think are cars from the mid/late 2000s where it seemed to become common to have instrument clusters than illuminate but before the mandatory introduction of DRLs. Presumably the same category of drivers, except this time they've no lights at all but are blissfully unaware as they can see they're doing 40mph in a 30 limit.

Don't get me started on silver cars in daytime/twilight mist with no lights on . . .
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TG.