For more than just the winter time:

Greater safety with light

MUNICH - Daytime running light (DRL) is already required by law in ten European countries, and in a further four countries it is mandatory in the winter months. As we approach the first major holiday season of the year and the start of the motorcycling season, daytime running light in the summer months is once again a hot topic.

Source: OSRAM

The reason why DRL has been made compulsory in some European countries is that it can help prevent accidents, particularly at junctions and crossroads. This is especially important at the start of the motorcycling season. When turning or overtaking, motorcyclists can see cars that have their headlights on much sooner than those with their headlights off. An additional factor in some countries, such as Germany, is that people prefer to buy cars with dark paintwork, so the majority of cars are difficult to see in many situations even at the height of summer.

An analysis of 24 national DRL studies has shown that if all cars had their headlights on all the time almost two million accidents involving 5500 deaths, 155,000 injuries and consequential damage totalling five billion euros could be avoided each year throughout Europe.

As far as the technology is concerned, the launch of Osram’s new Light@day family of lamps last autumn meant that permanent headlights is no longer a problem. With the new generation of lamps in H1, H4 and H7 versions and the associated parking lights, taillights and number plate lights, car drivers can immediately make their own contribution to road safety. What’s important to remember is that despite being on day and night this new family of lamps does not have to be replaced any more often than conventional lamps.

For further information and a chance to enter a competition (starting from 1 May) go to www.Lightatday.com.

European countries in which DRL is compulsory:
Denmark
Slovenia
Finland (outside towns)
Sweden
Iceland
Czech Republic (winter season)
Slovak Republic (winter season)
Italy (motorways and other major roads)
Norway
Poland (winter season)
Latvia
Hungary (outside towns)
Lithuania (winter season)
Estonia

Holiday-makers who do not comply with the local DRL regulations risk fines ranging from 22 euros (Slovenia) to 108 euros (Norway). DRL is officially recommended in Switzerland.

For more than just the winter time:
Greater safety with light
By driving with their headlights on during the day, even in summer, drivers can make a significant contribution to road safety. Daytime running light is compulsory in some countries in Europe.

Press contact:

OSRAM

Christian Bölling
Tel: +49-89-6213-2597
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: c.boelling@osram.com