Better Visibility Improves Road Safety

As further steps towards improving road safety in Europe, reflective tape on trucks and daytime running lights (DRL) on passenger cars will improve visibility in road transport from next year onwards. From February 2011 on, special daytime running lights will become mandatory for all new cars. This measure is aimed at a clear reduction in the number of road accidents, as is the introduction of 'retro-reflective contour marking' on trucks. Although so far these markings have been voluntary, TÜV SÜD warns that from July 2011 onwards, all new trucks of 7.5 tonnes and upwards must have them.

Rain, fog, darkness – poor visibility is high on the list of causes of accidents. Seeing and being seen is an important prerequisite for maintaining adequate safety distance from other cars and reacting correctly. TÜV SÜD welcomes the new provisions aimed at improving visibility, which will come into effect next year. Bernhard Kerscher, CEO of TÜV SÜD Auto Service, comments, "Retro-reflective contour markings on trucks are a simple and relatively cost-effective approach to boosting visibility, immediately improving road safety." The same can be said for the introduction of daytime running lights (DRLs) for new passenger cars up to a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes from February 2011 onwards.

Without Major Efforts

An EU regulation demanding that daytime running lights (DRL) must be part of the original equipment of a new car from February 2011 onwards – a requirement already fulfilled by numerous automobile manufacturers – will be implemented in stages next year. For commercial vehicles, this requirement will apply one year later, from August 2012 onwards.

Nevertheless, truck visibility is to be improved as early as next year, from which time retro-reflective markings will be made compulsory. These 'contour markings', which have been permitted in Germany for years, will become compulsory from July 2011 onwards for new commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes and upwards and new trailers of 3.5 tonnes and more, as set forth in EU Directive 2007/35/EC (adaptation to technical progress concerning the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles).

A fast and cost-effective process, affixing the adhesive tape to a solid or tarpaulin truck body could hardly be simpler. From October 2011 onwards, the adhesive foil will become compulsory across Europe. However, like daytime running lights, retro-reflective markings will also only become compulsory for new vehicles, and the retrofit will not be made mandatory for cars already registered.

Daytime Running Lights Offer Many Benefits

Why not simply make it mandatory for cars to have their headlights on during the day, similar to motorcycles? "Daytime running lights are optimized for the requirements of daytime driving and offer many advantages compared to normal headlights", explains Günter Schmid, TÜV SÜD. Firstly, for example, the lights are not brighter than the headlights of motorcycles or other weaker road users such as cyclists, and thus do not reduce their conspicuity. Secondly, they need very little power and only marginally increase fuel consumption. By comparison, when driving with daytime running lights (DRLs) all other lights including rear lights, licence plate lights and so on are switched off, unlike driving with dipped headlights (mean additional fuel consumption 0.1 to 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres). As a result, DRLs consume only 20 to 30 per cent of the energy consumed by headlamps. And if LED systems are used, energy consumption amounts to a mere 10 per cent of that consumed by headlights. Thirdly, the vehicle can be seen more clearly by other road users, particularly in poor light, and the speed of other road users is far easier to assess. A Look At Our Neighbours
A look at our neighbouring countries shows that irrespective of the new European regulation, headlamps during the day are already mandatory in many European countries. While driving with the lights on during the day is only a recommendation in some countries, such as France and Switzerland, it is compulsory in others and drivers that violate this rule must expect expensive fines – motorists caught with their lights off during the day are called on to pay 53 euros in the Czech Republic, for example, and as much as 190 euros in Norway. In these countries, motorists whose cars have not yet been equipped with the new daytime running lights may switch on their headlights instead.

Retrofitting

Given this situation, TÜV SÜD offers a tip on retrofitting: in most cases car owners who do not plan to buy a new car in 2011, yet want to improve their visibility and comply with the state of the art, can retrofit their cars. The retrofit is available from 50 euros upwards. Motorists purchasing daytime running lights should look out for the E-test mark and the letters RL on the glass of the lamp. "The lamps must also be approved as per ECE-R 87 (European Regulation for Daytime Running Lights)", explains Schmid. A word on technology: when purchasing daytime running lights, car owners should give preference to LED systems. LEDs consume far less energy, which is good for the environment.

As an additional benefit, these lamps are smaller and therefore easier to install. As installation involves the electronic system of the car, drivers wishing to retrofit DRLs should go to a specialist garage.