General Motors’ installation of Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) is a wonderful idea.
My 1996 GM car has them. Before I had this car, I always drove with my headlights on to increase my visibility to other drivers. I have avoided at least two collisions because of this practice.
Eric Peters’ column critical of DRLs (Op-Ed, Dec. 26) is misinformed as to cars with DRLs being mistaken for emergency vehicles. They are not strobes, flashing red or blue lights or any combination of the above; they are not wig-wags, those alternating headlights on emergency vehicles and some hearses. They are merely low-powered headlamps that assist visibility.
Further, Illinois has a statute that requires the use of headlights whenever weather conditions call for the use of windshield wipers. I have never heard of the law being enforced. I do know that in bad weather just about the only cars I see with any lights on are those with DRLs, which are passive and are out of the driver’s control. To assume that any car that has lights on in daylight is an emergency vehicle is ridiculous. At least until cars with DRLs come with sirens as standard equipment.
