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Auto Accessories

Premium Quality AMBER Turn Signal DRL conversion kits, Headlight / HID DRL modules, and
Driving / Fog Light DRLs, also DRL 'Swap' & 'Turn Off' kits, + Pro Grade AMBER LED signal bulbs

Independent Photometric and Scientific Evidence:

Metric based DRL studies PROVE that AMBER Turn Signal-Activated Daytime Running Lights beat Low Beam headlight based DRLs in bright daylight conditions (...as well as on cloudy days)

Photometric PROOF that NOT ALL DRLs ARE CREATED EQUALLY...

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Study: Signal Range of 3 colors of Standard Vehicle Lights

Upper graph - Bright Daylight Results, viewed 3 degrees off axis;
Bottom graph - Cloudy / Overcast Day, same 3 degrees off axis view

(Note that duller conditions increase visual range, as one would expect)

~52 km/h | = 34 mph

80 km/h | = 50 mph

(In each case above, the relative performances of the signal lamps were maintained.)

Major Findings From This Study:

The author of this study on DRLs applied the CIE* recommendations carried out on US school buses, and documented that low beam headlights project a maximum luminous intensity of only 437 candela in direction of oncoming motorists. Notice the low beam headlights entry on the bottom of the white light (blue) curve just above 400 cd

[*CIE is the international authority on lighting standards; a link to their site is below.]

To contrast by comparison:

1) turn signals in the US are targeted to be 700 candela by design,

2) AMBER light appears brighter to the human eye than an equivalent output of white light,

3) turn signals are physically aimed at the eye level of other oncoming motorists [headlights are aimed at the ground 10 car lengths ahead], and

4) turn signals in many cases are designed for better side corner or off-angle visibility.[Notice the turn signal entry on the AMBER light (yellow) curve right at 700 candela.]

THIS MEANS TURN SIGNAL DRLs OUT PERFORM LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BY NEARLY 60%** IN RELATIVE "OTHER ROADWAY USERS" OUTPUT ALONE

(**700 candela output for Turn DRLs versus 437 candela of off-axis output for low beam daytime headlights)

International Commission on Illumination

Graphical Analysis of the Scientific data above shows:

On a bright day, an amber turn signal DRL light of equal intensity to a low beam headlight could be compared with a low beam full power white DRL light. The amber output of an intensity equal to a low beam headlight would be found to be visible approximately 30 meters (about 100 ft [difference; on x-axis]) SOONER than white DRL light at just over 50 km/h (about 34 mph or 50 feet/second).

On a sunny day traveling at 34 mph, the amber output of a DRL equal to a low beam headlight would be visible to the human eye approximately 2 seconds SOONER than white DRL lighting, both lights being of equal intensity (i.e. 100 ft X 50 ft/sec).

Similarly, on a cloudy day, the amber output of an equal intensity turn DRL would be visible at least 75 meters (245 ft) SOONER than white low beam headlight on a vehicle traveling at slightly less that 50 mph (80 km/h or 75 ft/sec).

On a cloudy day traveling at just under 50 mph, the amber output of a DRL equal to that of a full power low beam headlight would be visible to the human eye approximately 3 seconds SOONER than white DRL lighting, both lights being of equal intensity.

The facts above show that AMBER turn signals give a few seconds more reaction time than white headlight DRLs in a multi-party accident situation. These few extra seconds equate to extra reaction time and can potentially be the difference between life and death in dangerous or life threatening collision situations.

Since turn signals have an output that is 60% greater in measurable candela than full power low beams (700 vs. 437) above the horizontal, their range of distance where they can be seen is even greater.

Notice that in each case, the signal range of amber light was superior to both white light and red light, both on clear and cloudy days. Also, the amber curves are always to the left of the white light/blue curves; they are always picked up by the human eye sooner, for comparative red, white, and yellow light intensities being held constant. In a white flushed world, Amber just stands out better.

Other related facts from this author...

The author of the study above discovered that low beam headlights, even though they emit up to tens of thousands of candella of white light output, are not as effective as bright amber turn signal DRLs with output levels of AMBER light output. One reason is they are basically pointed at the ground; the other is the photometric characteristics of AMBER light itself. Here is one of the author's quotes:

"A key point is that most [DRL] effectiveness studies are based on a large proportion of vehicles with low beam headlight DRLs, but photometric analysis suggests that these [low beam headlights at full output] are only marginally effective on all but very dull days.

Recent U.S. research on several types of daytime running lights used in General Motors* cars has shown that bright turn signal DRLs are more effective than headlight DRLs..."

To emphasize this point, in the SAE/GM* study referenced on this site, AMBER DRLs offered a collision reduction rate of 12.40%, where full power low beam headlights offered a collision reduction rate of only 3.23%.

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Background luminance, in study above, for bright daylight was 10,000 cd/m^2; and, as noted above, was 1000 cd/m^2 for a cloudy day. Every 100 meters is just over 325 feet; 80 kilometer/hour equals 50 mph, or 73 ft/sec. (52 kph = 34 mph, or 50 ft/sec) Notice 'GM* turn DRL' at top of each yellow curve, at 1750 CID light intensity. Every different model turn signal housing has its own reflective characteristic output when equipped with standard turn signal bulbs, estimated output range at between 700 to 1700 cid. light intensity. Candela is a scientific measure of measure of light output. Graphical data used with the author's permission. (GM* is a registered trademark of the General Motors Corporation.)

A Key Takeaway...

A key takeaway here is this: The author of this study points out, both here and in other documents, that AMBER Turn Signals are design-targeted at 700 candella. In contrast to this fact, low beam headlights have, by law, a maximum output of 437 candella 'above the horiziontal'.

(Makes sense if you think about it: If Low beam headlights were brighter, they would eclipse or 'mask' your turn signal's visibility with respect to other roadway users.)

For extensive summary DRL study where graphical evidence is referenced, click here, see pg. 20

If link above fails, click here

Other DRL studies and related documents by this author:

Here are some various quotes from these 8 source-linked papers above:

"Bright yellow turn signal DRLs should be encouraged for motorcycles."

"In that [referenced] paper I refer to some USA research that found... bright turn signal DRLs are several times more effective than lowbeam headlights in reducing accidents. This confirms my photometric analysis... which found that low-beam headlights make marginally effective DRLs and this could explain the so-called latitude effect from DRL accident studies (since nearly all these studies involved low beam headlights)."

"...low beam headlights that, by law, have a maximum intensity above the horizontal of 437cd."

"Studies of accident statistics show that DRLs are more effective at preventing... higher severity accidents."

"Daytime running lights reduce daytime accidents by making vehicles more conspicuous to other road users. The greatest benefits are with the more severe accidents, including head-on and intersection crashes and collisions with pedestrians and cyclists."

"Other concerns about the use of low beam headlights are: They waste energy, with most light directed at the roadway..."

"About 30% of struck pedestrians fail to see the car before the accident. Most of these happen during the daytime. Well-designed daytime running lights make the vehicle more conspicuous to pedestrians. It is estimated that DRLs could prevent 12% of all pedestrian fatalities."

"Well designed DRLs do not "distract" other motorists - they instantly make the vehicle more conspicuous. This is an advantage because other road users can devote more time to detecting less conspicuous objects."

Any DRL is better than no DRL at all, but AMBER is superior, both photometrically and environmentally.

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