[On daytime running lights:]
> It works only as long as MOST cars do not have lights on (or on very
lonely rural
> roads). Just like raised brake lights...they really work when they are
unique, but
> when common they lose their safety factor.

I think the main thing is that it distinguished a moving car from a parked
one. That is important in cities where cars park along the street. It also
helps a great deal in fog, rain, and twilight, when some people wouldn't
turn their headlights on.

But I think they should include a "disable" switch for off-road use. In an
earlier message someone was concerned about the legality of modifying your
car's headlight system, because it could invalidate insurance and/or lead to
liability in accidents. Have there really been cases or was this just
speculation? Surely it's not illegal to have a switch that enables you to
turn your lights off -- until recently, all cars did, and the law (in the
USA) does not require retrofitting of automatic headlight control to older
cars. It's also not illegal to modify your headlight system -- lots of
people add off-road running lights, etc.

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