What are daytime running lamps (DRL)?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), daytime running lamps (DRLs) contribute to fewer daytime multi-vehicle crashes for cars and light trucks, reducing opposite-direction daytime fatalities by as much as 5%. Daytime running lights (DRLs) are a standard feature on modern vehicles, designed to enhance vehicle visibility during daylight hours. DRLs are critical to improving driver safety and minimizing incidents.

In this guide, we break down features and regulations you need to know about DRLs, and how innovative technology can help you improve fleet safety and enhance operational efficiency.

What are daytime running lamps (DRL)?

Daytime running lamps (DRL) are automotive lighting devices on the front of motor vehicles that automatically switch on when the engine is running. They are also called daytime running lights.

Not to be confused with headlights, the purpose of the DRL is not to help drivers see the road or their surroundings better. The DRL’s intended purpose is to help other road users see your vehicle better.

Because DRLs in cars are not designed to illuminate the road, they are often made with LED lights instead of halogen headlight bulbs. LED DRLs are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and give off a bright white light.

What is the difference between DRL and headlights?

During the day, most drivers turn their headlights off. A DRL enhances road safety by helping drivers see other vehicles quickly.

DRLs are also not fog lamps. When driving, fog lights cut through fog without causing glare. Typically, vehicles have two sets of fog lights. One is in the front of the vehicle, acting as headlights. The other is located on the rear as a tail light. DRLs are not meant to substitute headlights.

What is the origin of DRLs?

DRLs were first mandated in Sweden in 1977. Other Scandinavian countries and Canada soon followed suit. They became more popular in Northern countries where there is less ambient daylight during Winter months. Vehicle manufacturers Saab and Volvo were the first to implement DRLs.

In 1990, American automaker General Motors (GM) petitioned the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to allow U.S. vehicles to be equipped with DRLs, similar to Canada. After several years of mixed reaction from the public and industry, the same types of DRLs allowed in Canada were permitted but not required effective with the 1995 model year. Since then, automakers in the U.S. market (including Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford, and Audi) began equipping most of their vehicles with some form of DRLs. 

For example, Lexus has installed high-beam or turn signal-based DRLs on several of their models. Honda began including DRLs on their U.S. models in the form of reduced-intensity high beam headlights. 

DRL regulations in Canada and the U.S.

DRLs on cars are mandated in Canada. According to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, all new vehicles made or imported after January 1, 1990 must have DRL. The standard permits the use of reduced-voltage high beam headlamps, as well as any lightbulb color from white, amber, and some yellows.

There are no mandates for DRLs on cars in the U.S. While they are legal to use, they are not required. In 2001, General Motors petitioned to have the NHTSA mandate the use of DRLs on all U.S. vehicles. However, the petition was denied in 2009, with the NHTSA citing that GM’s evidentiary studies and data contained flaws.

While several U.S. states require headlights to be switched on when using windshield wipers, DRLs are not considered headlights in most vehicle codes. Thus, they will not meet this requirement.

What are the benefits of daytime running lamps?

Daytime running lights on cars are important primarily because they significantly enhance vehicle visibility during daylight hours. Here are few of their key benefits:  

1. Improved visibility on the road: DRLs make vehicles more noticeable to other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, especially in situations where it might be difficult to see them, such as during overcast weather, in shadows, or against complex backgrounds.  

2. Reduced collisions: Recent studies, including those by the NHTSA and European safety organizations, have shown a correlation between DRL usage and a reduction in daytime multi-vehicle crashes, particularly head-on and intersection collisions.  

3. Improved awareness in marginal light conditions: Even in seemingly bright daylight, DRLs help vehicles stand out, especially during dawn, dusk, or in hazy conditions.   

How Samsara can help enhance driver safety and improve preventative maintenance

DRLs are critical to ensuring driver safety, so it’s important to ensure they are operational. If there's a malfunction in the DRLs, such as a burned-out bulb or an electrical fault, it could lead to downtime, or worse, incidents on the road. Today, innovative organizations are leveraging fleet management technology such as Samsara’s Connected Asset Maintenance solution to take a proactive approach to maintenance and safety.

With Samsara, you can detect vehicle issues in real time, making it possible to improve visibility and streamline preventative maintenance processes. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are codes generated by the vehicle's onboard diagnostic (OBD) system when it detects a problem. These codes help identify issues with various vehicle components, including lighting systems like DRLs. When a malfunction to the DRLs occurs, Samsara is able to alert the driver or fleet manager to the issue, accelerating resolution and minimizing downtime. 

To learn more about how Samsara can help you improve preventative maintenance and reduce down time, dive into Samsara’s Fleet Maintenance solution and speak to our team today.