Why do motorists have there headlights on when the sun is glaring out in the daytime?

Question

is there a reason ?

Answer 1

If your driving towards a low winter sun the glare can make it very difficult to see oncoming vehicles, by having your headlights or side lights on it makes you more visible to oncoming vehicles and less likely to have an accident.

Answer 2

I usually turn my on anyways.  I think a better question is why don't motorists turn ON there headlights when its raining?  Most of the time when its raining, day or night, its dark outside and its very hard to see other cars when its pouring and dark.  Especially traveling at high speeds...that always pisses me off!

Answer 3

Some Swedish cars such as Volvo and Saab have their lights on whenever the engine is running.

What I hate is when people do not put their lights on in bad weather conditions. They are just so thick. They think that because it's not nighttime, they don't have to use their lights.

Answer 4

Another theory is that it's FOG LIGHTS that some motorists, not just boy racers, have on at all times, which is actually illegal.

Fog Lights should only be put on when visibility is down to 100Mtrs (about 30 car lengths). Highway Code rule 201.

Fog Lights, due to the low wide beam, can be a hazzard to oncoming motorists especially when the road is wet, as the beam reflects into drivers eyes.

So beware and drive safely.

Answer 5

These are usually cars that are equipped with daytime running lights. They make it so that the headlights are on anytime that the engine is on. If you buy a car that is equipped with daytime running lights the insurance company will give you a discount as well.

Answer 6

Daytime running lights are standard on most vehicles

Answer 7

Daytime running lights..........Safety

Answer 8

Some countries make cars that turn on headlights automatically due to low daylight and daylight hours. Volvo cars - for instance- have this facility. As do Saab.

Hope this helps and have a good evening.;-)

Answer 9

yea some cars have automatic headlights, like mine.  they stay on during the day but dimmer, just enough to stand out

Answer 10

this is a saftey issue alot of countries demand that you have your lights on all the time, and alot of mannufactures are making cars where there lights come on as soon as you start the car.....

Answer 11

I think the lights (Low lights are standard on all cars manfactured since the 80's) are meant to grab the attention of drivers who can space out an unlit car after getting into automatic, unaware driving.

C. :)

Answer 12

somecars have automatic headlight, the sensors that control this somtime get it wrong, but have you noticed that most of the time is it on Volvo's and mercs?

Answer 13

Perhaps they started out when it was dark. Or maybe they have just been through a fog or mist.

Or just 'dim'!

Answer 14

If you drive a Volvo, they come on automatically, come rain or shine.

Answer 15

some cars have drl  Daytime running lights and people can not turn them off (like in my work van) others do not think to do so even if they can.

Answer 16

some models including volvos always have there headlights on.

Answer 17

no reason in particular, its just that it automatically happens when the car is turned on.

Answer 18

A lot of them drive without realising they are on, and some cars lights come on automatically when the car ignition is turned on.

Answer 19

To maximise the chance of being seen by others.  When I rode a motorcycle, always had the headlight on.

Answer 20

I recongnise this question from before.

Glaring sun , rain , fog , overcast , snow... whatever

It's better to be seen in all conditions... it happens , the first thing you see when driving , is the lights of other vehicles. Why are you so disturbed by other people's safe actions anyway?