Question of the week: Why don't daytime running lights activate the taillights too?
Fri, 06 Feb 2026
Dear Honest John,
"Do you know if the people who introduced daytime running lights now realise that there are millions of drivers every day driving in poor weather conditions (and even when it is dark) without their car rear lights on?
Has the Motor Industry/AA/RAC, raised enough concern so that in future the rear lights will automatically be linked to the front (daytime running lights) so that they come on at the same time?
Before daytime lights were introduced, we just used to have side lights which switched on both front and rear lights at the same time?
Please tell me this matter is being addressed. The amount of poor standard motorists who drive around (in poor weather/light conditions) without a clue that their rear lights are not on is unbelievably high."
- ID
Dear ID,
Daytime running lights became mandatory for new vehicles in EU countries in 2011 and studies have concluded that their contribution to reducing multi-vehicle accidents is anywhere between five and 15%.
What the legislation cannot account for is the intelligence or otherwise of the driver. Even before the introduction of DRLs, automatic headlights were optional or standard on many vehicles and are almost universally fitted to new vehicles, but that does not account for drivers who choose to have them switched off.
It could be argued that DRLs should active taillights at the same time, but in brighter daytime conditions they could be mistaken for brake lights, which has the potential to cause confusion.
Ultimately manufacturers and legislators want to make safer vehicles, but it could be argued that in creating more automatic functions some drivers are taking less responsibility for their own actions to the detriment of others.
