DRL or Daytime Running Lights are they 'legal'

[Kev]

From what I read re ADR (Aust Design Rules) daytime running lights are front facing white lights that are on when the headlight if off and off when the headlight is on, and they must be under a certain wattage. My interpretation of that is that it is aimed mainly for cars?

As the ST1100 has a lowbeam headlight that is always on, does that mean that one cannot legally use aftermarket daytime running lights?..

Does anyone use DRL on their bikes? and what type?...LED or other?....and what sort of reception do you attract from the law?

There has/is alot of discussion on the 'net re this subject, but I prefer to hear it from people who actually use these things.

Cheers 

Kev

[tj189]

I use the Clearwater led ones.  Have had no issues from the local constabulary. 

[Poppy Dave]

Kev,

I've got a couple of 55w non-LED's down by the mudguard side reflectors. All the guys in the BK claim that they are VERY visible and look good. I've wired them up to the low-beam, so I have 3 x whitelights facing forward.

I've been seen by heaps of traffic vehicles and never been spoken too about them.

Good luck,

Dave                                                       

[Down Under]

Kev,

Further to the info you've got just make sure that the lights you use are approved by the ADR's as a DRL.  The lens has to be marked for it to be compliant with ADR 76/00,  ECE Reg No.87.  The manufacturer should be able to tell you if their lights comply as they would've had to have their product certified to meet the DRL standard.

Usually, the only time you'll come under notice is if the lights are that bright they dazzle other motorists.  If they are genuine DRL's than this shouldn't be a problem.

My understanding is that retro fitted DRL's are legal in NSW but if you live outside of NSW it would pay to check with the appropriate authority to make sure they comply.

Tony   

[Brock]

I dont think you need wory too much, the Coppers dont seem to worry about the fog lights being on, and they are only supposed to be used in reduced visability. IE fog, heavy rain or snow. Day time or night time aint reduced vis....

[Down Under]

Kev,

They look great but do they comply as a DRL as per the ADR's?  Wouldn't mind a set for myself.

Tony

[Whizz]

Brock, I have to take issue with the comment about Mr Plod not taking any notice of fog lights being on. Some weeks ago a uniform took the time, whilst his mate was booking some other bloke for something or other, to come across the road, stop me (in my tin top) and give me a ticket for having my Fog Lights on at 6;00 pm, just before it got dark. Gave me some drivel about not having fog lights on when it is not inclement weather. Cost me $40!. Complete waste of time and trouble, but hey, he helped his quota, right?

Not helped by me seeing at least 5 other cars, that evening also with their Fog Lights on, but they didn't get stopped!

Cheers
Whizz
 

[Brock]

Sorry you got booked Whizz, but it are in the rules. Personaly I dont like them on, as most are mal adjusted and point into the eyes. I really hate those bloody red things on the back, no need for them in Oz, except for those who live in the snow line maybe.

[Poppy Dave]

Sorry you got booked Whizz, but it are in the rules. Personaly I dont like them on, as most are mal adjusted and point into the eyes. I really hate those bloody red things on the back, no need for them in Oz, except for those who live in the snow line maybe.

Yeah Brock, that's why they're a no-no, being FOG lights, they're designed to throw the beam UP under the fog. Result being that if it's not foggy, or the like, oncoming drivers cop an eye full. Same goes for the back ones, only to be used in fog etc.

I normally just tell em to turn them off but if memory serves me correctly it's a $100 fine in WA

[terrydj]

About the lights??
When the lights on Motorcycles started to be wired into bikes so they turned on with the ignitioin, a mouth piece we know, who rides, put forward that because all Motorcycles now had headlights on, that drivers of cars would be looking not for a bike but for a headlight??????
Hmmm Psych's who reckon they know stuff, say that Vehicle drivers don't see bikes simply because they are looking for cars????? Me I look for cars and, and, and, and

[alans1100]

Not sure how you'd go in SA as regards to a bike but these dimensions taken from page 37/38 from here http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/lz/c/r/road%20traffic%20(vehicle%20standards)%20rules%201999/current/1999.235.un.pdf suggest that it applies to a bike.


However, a pair of daytime running lights fitted to a motor vehicle under
1300 millimetres wide may be fitted with the centre of each light not under
400 millimetres from the centre of the other light.
(4) When on, a daytime running light must:
(a) show a white or yellow light visible from the front of the vehicle; and
(b) not use over 25 watts power.

Noting also that DRL's are at the same height as the main headlights (on a car)

Note—
The third edition ADRs only allow white daytime running lights.

Also this on page 34

(3) A motor bike may be equipped with a headlight modulation system that:
(a) varies the brightness of its high-beam headlight or low-beam headlight, but
not both, at a rate of at least 200 and at most 280 flashes a minute; and
(b) is designed to operate only in the daylight.

The only issue I have with my 1100 and it's lights on all the time is if the alternator fails which I've had on my previous CX500. Only options are to remove globes until you get back home or install a seperate on/off switch.