Kenzie spot-on with headlight plight
Re Why it’s time to discontinue the head
light switch I have driven night and day with my full light system on. I’m just glad they added the bell to remind you, as I have left them on a few times and needed a boost. But the safety factor continues to outweigh any other. I applaud and agree with your article.
Anne C., Mississauga Eliminating these antiquated things needs to be done now. There are far too many people who don’t know they should have their full lights on.
They don’t seem to realize how their vehicles blend in with the roads, making them almost invisible. It is also surprising to me how many police vehicles are guilty of driving in dawn/dusk, raining or other inclement conditions without full lights on. I thought law enforcers were supposed to be trained to drive properly and safely. Apparently not always.
Andy G., Cobourg, Ont. Dear Jim. You are so right. Driving at dusk, at night and during inclement weather with no rear lights is so dangerous. Most of the time the driver is unaware, and there is no universal signal to alert the driver. Flashing your high beams just confuses drivers or irritates them. I am all for removing the headlight switch but think there are some situations, like pulling off to the side of the road due to mechanical failure, where there should be an override switch to give the driver the ability to turn on some or all exterior lights for additional safety beyond using the four-way flashers.
Danny L., Toronto I liked the article and fully support all you have proposed. A couple of thoughts:
I would still want to have the ability to switch on parking lights when the key is off, for situations like stopping on the side of a busy, unlit highway like the 400 series at night, for any reason.
I too have never understood the reason that U.S. carmakers have not accepted the indisputable logic of daytime running lights. We all know an oncoming silver or grey car or truck on a highway in certain conditions can just disappear into the highway. I used to read letters from readers in U.S. car magazines declaring the Canadian decision to mandate DRL as stupid and unnecessary.
Could you undertake to interview someone who can answer the question — why have carmakers and legislators in the U.S. consciously decided to oppose this accident avoidance feature?
Kerry F., North York