All new cars and small vans manufactured in Europe are now being fitted with automatic daytime lights, so-called daytime running lights a new bid to raise road safety. Already in effect from February 7, all new cars and light vans are being fitted with the daytime running lights that automatically switch on when the engine starts.

The RSA says research shows daytime running lights reduce the likelihood of multi-party daytime collisions, therefore helping to save lives, prevent serious injuries, and reduce the societal and economic cost of collisions.
The commission says road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, detected vehicles using daytime running lights more clearly and quickly than those equipped with dipped beam hid headlights.
The technology used links the daylights to the engine. As soon as the engine is turned on, the lights come on as well. The implementation of the new regulation will be followed in August 2012 by the adoption of a similar regulation for buses and trucks.
By implementing the new regulations, the European Union hopes to bring down the casualty numbers on its roads.