Here are the advantages** to AMBER Turn Signals as DRLs, as outlined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Federal Register nearly 10 years ago!

(Docket NHTSA 98-4124; Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 152 / Friday, August 7, 1998, pg 42357, paragraph 2)

"From a lighting safety perspective, the use of front turn signals as DRLs

is desirable, because it:

• Eliminates all possibility of turn-signal masking by other [headlight/white light] DRLs,
• Increases the angles at which the DRL can be seen (visible at 45 degrees) which should increase the benefit at intersections,
• Virtually eliminates glare [with respect] to other motorists,
• Prevents incidents where drivers forget to turn on full headlights (with tail lamps) in inclement weather or at twilight because the headlamp DRLs provide so much light, and
• Allows motorcycles (with headlights on) to keep a unique conspicuity signature.

Additionally, non-safety benefits are that turn signal DRLs offer:

• A fuel economy benefit of up to 0.5 m.p.g. compared to headlamp DRLs (according to 1990 test data),
• Lower cost of replacement bulbs (compared with replacement costs for headlamps or headlamp bulbs), and
• Lower cost than reduced intensity lower beam headlamps, according to the 1995 Economic Evaluation of DRLs performed by Transport Canada*."

NHTSA's bottom line on this subject...

• "NHTSA explained that: The two chief considerations in this regard are that the lamps not create excessive glare, and that their use does not mask the ability of the front turn signal to send its message."  (from page 42348, paragraph 14)

and more...

• "...the agency (NHTSA) believes that practical and low cost solutions can be achieved that permit manufacturers to modify their DRL modules, and use more turn signal lamps as DRLs*." (from page 42352, paragraph 6)

 

• "However, NHTSA does not want to discourage the installation of DRLs. Research indicates that DRLs do improve vehicle conspicuity..." (from page 42356, paragraph 2)

Conclusion: *Seems like even NHTSA is on record as wanting to try to encourage motor vehicle manufacturers to use more turn signal lamps as DRLs. AllQuality believes the DRL-2005 is the simplest system mentioned above, and is the long term solution to DRLs in North America.

(For the Federal Register link, click here)

*Disclaimer: By way of mandate, the US Government/NHTSA and Transport Canada cannot endorse any individual product or company. This is only NHTSA's acknowledgement nearly 10 years ago of an emerging technology and its potential benefits to the automotive world and mankind, and Transport Canada's findings on the lowest cost DRL type from an economic standpoint.

1997 Jeep Wrangler Truck / SUV with Turn Signal Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)

Add AMBER turn signal LED bulbs or lamps to the AllQuality PlanetSafe DRL product, and even more costs are eliminated:

DRL consumables are virtually eliminated forever, and increased fuel consumption/greenhouse gases due to higher-power DRLs becomes virtually non-existent!

We believe this product is/will be the low cost DRL solution mentioned by NHTSA in the Federal Register, once produced in mass quantities.