Just my $0.02 - and you folks can verify this for yourself very easily.
The next time you're out on the freeway, look around you, which cars are more visible the ones with DRLs or the ones without? For me, it's the one's with DRLs.
Second test - if you have no DRLs - on your next freeway trip, drive with the lights both on & off and find out for yourself how much additional fuel is burned when the lights are on - please bear in mind that when you run with the lights on, you're burning more electricity than you would be with DRLs, because there more lights on - DRLs use just the headlamp low beams, and you also have the tail lights, marker lights etc.
The site linked to states ...
"The analysis found that DRLs have no statistically significant overall effect on the three target crashes. When combining these three target crashes into one target crash, the drl effects were also not statistically significant. When examined separately for passenger cars and light trucks / van (LTVs) , drls in LTVs significantly reduced LTVs involvement in the target two vehicle by 5.7 percent. However, the remaining drl effects on these three target crashes were not statistically significiant. Although not statistically significant, drls might have unintended consequences for pedestrains and motorcycles. Particularly, the estimated negitive effects for LTV's were relatively large and cannont be completely ignored.
Please pay attention to
When examined separately for passenger cars and light trucks / van (LTVs) , drls in LTVs significantly reduced LTVs involvement in the target two vehicle by 5.7 percent
Look closely - what it says is that daytime running lights in light truck vehicles significantly reduced light truck vehicle involvement in the target two vehicle (accidents) by 5.7%.
I've outlined two very simple ways for you to prove to yourself whether the two main arguements against DRLs are valid - that they don't improve visibility, and cause added fuel consumption - don't be misled.
The third arguement - the effects of glare - is a lot harder to prove either way - I won't suggest any unscientific tests, but I will ask one question - is the car coming at you dazzling you running a) DRLs, b) fogs c) HIDs in fog lamp housings, and I will point out yo you that of the three DRLs are the only one permitted by law during good weather, and the HIDs are illegal at any time.
Did you notice it does not state what the estimated negative effects for LTVs were?
