Daytime Running Lights

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is greatly concerned by the latest European development on daytime vehicle lighting. The European vehicle manufacturers association ACEA has reached a voluntary - therefore unquestionable - agreement with the European Commission to provide for all cars to be manufactured with Daytime Running Lights from 2002.

MAG's concerns are:

1 - The efficiency of day running lamps in reducing accident rates is totally unproven. In Australia for example, regulations requiring daytime riding lights for motorcycles were dropped when it was found they did not reduce accident levels.

2 - The attention given to this tactic diverts attention from the real cause of accidents which is poor road craft.

3 - The effect of automobile day running lamps on vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, could be negative as their relative conspicuity would be diminished further.

4- Daytime lights pose significant negative implications for the environment as their use will increase fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

5 - MAG is deeply concerned by the way in which manufacturers and the un-elected European Commission have proceeded with this issue in the face of such strong opposition and in the absence of overwhelming empirical evidence to support their initiative.

MAG Spokesman Ian Mutch:

'This move typifies the European Commission's arrogance, it is

* Irrational

* Is likely to be counter productive

* Is environmentally unsound

* Has negative implications for vulnerable road users

Letters to MPs making the above concerns but please but keep them polite! Usual Address.