Conference turris::scandia

476.0. "Headlights on at all times in rural areas" by TLE::SAVAGE () Mon Aug 12 1991 17:39

    From: [email protected] (Annika Forsten DC)
    Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
    Subject: Re: Driving with headlights on in Denmark
    Date: 9 Aug 91 19:02:46 GMT
    Sender: [email protected]
    Organization: Abo Academy, Finland
 
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Jim Barnes) writes:
 
>   While on my recent vacation in Denmark, I noted that (nearly) all
>   vehicles had their headlights turned on at all times, even during
>   the daylight hours.  My friends said that this was to increase
>   the visibility of vehicles on the road and that the number of
>   traffic accidents had decreased since the new regulation went into
>   effect.  Are there any Danish residents out there that have access
>   to the traffic accident statistics?  Has the number of accidents
>   actually declined?
 
>   Incidently, while nearly all drivers in the smaller towns/cities and
>   in the rural areas always had their lights turned on, my quick (and not
>   scientific) estimate in Copenhagen was that only 1/2 or 2/3 of the
>   cars had their headlights turned on during the day.
 
    The law in Finland, Sweden and I suppose the same goes for Denmark,
    says that you have to keep your headlights on outside built-up areas.
    Inside built-up areas you don't have to, but many do anyway. Norway
    too?
 
    I don't have any statistics, but it sure is a lot easier to spot cars
    when they have their headlights on. And I feel a lot safer with mine
    on. The risk is that when somebody's forgotten to switch them on, you
    may not see the car so easily as you're expecting all cars to have them
    on.
 
    annika forsten, finland

    
    From my time in Sweden I can remember that the 'lights on' rule was
    a great help. Owing to the latitude, the sun was frequently low in
    the sky and always seemed to be shining into your eyes. The lights
    made it much easier to spot oncoming traffic.
    
    I still drive with my lights on here in Holland. When I first arrived 
    here five years ago, oncoming drivers would frequently flash there
    lights at me to tell me I'd forgotten to turn mine off. Now about
    40% of cars have their lights on and I can't remember the last time
    someone flashed me. The Dutch government are considering bringing in
    a law to enforce it here too.
    
    Pete

    We have just had the first stastics published; but I can't find the
    figures right now. All I remember is that I was surprised to se that
    the decrease in accidents was higher then when they lowered the speed
    limits.
    
    By the way you don't have to have your headlights on, if you have
    special "driving lights" installed, which has a luminance between parking
    lights and head lights. All Volvo and Saab models have this driving
    light installed from manufactoring.
    
    Claus