Daytime Running Lights to replace fog lights

Forums › Off topic › Daytime Running Lights to replace fog lights - legal?

jarledb

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#139508 11-Feb-2014 16:19

I am considering adding daytime running lights to my car, and I have found what seems to be a good product that will replace the fog lights.

Anyone know if its allowed to remove factory fitted fog lights and replace them with daytime running lights in NZ?

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#984243 11-Feb-2014 16:21

AFAIK, No, Ony if its a condition for the car to have them. Best to consult local VTNZ agent.

Addition to:

My BMW i removed the fog lights and passed a warrant completely fine. Its only a requirement if its part of function with headlights etc.

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#984244 11-Feb-2014 16:21

i don't know about legality but i have seen a lot of random idiots blinding me with crazy lights. some are normal driving lights aimed directly at my eyes, the rest are "driving lights" fast and furious style.

driving an SUV when travelling nowadays has made it better but getting back in a normal car on the open road at night is blinding!

(PS of course i have no idea if my "auto levelling" HID lights are blinding others - i have no control over my lights nowadays)

scuwp

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#984253 11-Feb-2014 16:28

Why not have both?

The requirements are here: Check out the summary tab.
http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof/general/lighting/daytime-running-lamps

Main thing is that they must turn off when you turn the headlights on.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Bung

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#984256 11-Feb-2014 16:31

joker97: i don't know about legality but i have seen a lot of random idiots blinding me with crazy lights. some are normal driving lights aimed directly at my eyes, the rest are "driving lights" fast and furious style.

Most of these "driving lights" are factory fitted fog lights and legally can only be used in fog or similar poor conditions. Any that are not fog lights are classed as additional main beams and shouldn't be on when the head lights are dipped or should be dipped.

A daytime running light has to switch off when the headlight dip or main is on so it would need a bit more than just the usual fog wiring.

jarledb

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#984267 11-Feb-2014 16:38

scuwp: Why not have both?

The requirements are here: Check out the summary tab.
http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof/general/lighting/daytime-running-lamps

Main thing is that they must turn off when you turn the headlights on.

Well, both would mean I would have to add extra lights and its bound to not look all that great. So replacing the fog lights (that I "never" use) would be a way to go I think.

Seems to me like I would be allowed to do it, as long as they are not on with the regular headlights.

BTW: In Norway the normal headlights come on when you start up the car - so they are always on by default (with exception of cars that come with daytime running lights factory fitted and setup to operate as the rules are for Daytime running lights are here).

From what I can understand it is legal to drive with headlights on at all times here in NZ, but it seems like there is quite a lot of people flashing their hight beams when I have tried driving with them during the day.. :)

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#984272 11-Feb-2014 16:44

I have one of these cars. It looks so much better with the 2 outer lights on. As illegal as it maybe having headlights on during broad daylight. (I misread the post above its legal lol..)

jarledb

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#984282 11-Feb-2014 16:51

TimA: I have one of these cars. It looks so much better with the 2 outer lights on. As illegal as it maybe having headlights on during broad daylight. (I misread the post above its legal lol..)

Where do you get that is illegal from?

This is what it says on nzta.govt.nz:

"On the road

Dipped beam headlamps should be used during the hours of darkness and whenever visibility is poor. Because they are dipped, they can be safely used in all conditions without dazzling other road users."

Source: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/get-your-lights-right/get-your-lights-right.html

There is no mention of it being illegal to use during the day. I think the "in all conditions" also include in broad daylight.

jpoc

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#984318 11-Feb-2014 17:39

Driving with your lights on during the day in NZ would be a pretty selfish act though. Headlights or daytime running lights being equal.

You will be a little safer because you will stand out more than a car with no lights on but every other road user will be at higher risk.

The effect of car drivers running with lights on during the day is to make other vehicles with lights on less attention getting. If road users see more and more lights on during the day those lights will stand out less.

That means that vulnerable road users such as motorbikes and extra hazardous road users such as unusual loads will be less easily seen.

When the Scandies introduced mandatory daytime running lights, there was debate in much of the rest of Europe over the idea of implementing similar requirements. The fact that this would tend to camouflage those vehicles that should be able to stand out was a factor in the decision of other countries to say no to daylight running lights.

The situation is different in the far north of Europe. Twilight lasts a lot longer there and it was felt that daytime running lights would increase overall safety by making all vehicles stand out more in the hours between full daylight and night.

toyonut

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#984324 11-Feb-2014 17:54

All conditions is dependent on the previous sentence: "during the hours of darkness and whenever visibility is poor". Try it past a cop and you are likely to get a ticket if using them in the day. Fog or running lights are for foggy, poor or dark conditions and should not be used during the day. Have them fitted by all means, but you must not use them in the day.
Source is that a mate got fined for doing just that last year over Christmas and then, because he did not learn his lesson, again in February last year during the cannonball run. It was a $150 fine if I remember correctly. So if severity of fine is a judge of the offence, it is more frowned upon than speeding at 10 - 15KM past the posted limit.
*EDIT* On reading links posted there is some difference between fog and running lights in the wiring and style of the lamp, but probably best to make sure they are wired totally legally and turn off and on when they should as I think some cops might just treat them as fog lights. Probably best to have a handy explanation of why yours are legal too.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

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#984342 11-Feb-2014 18:15

jpoc: [snip] Driving with your lights on during the day in NZ would be a pretty selfish act though. Headlights or daytime running lights being equal.

You will be a little safer because you will stand out more than a car with no lights on but every other road user will be at higher risk.

The effect of car drivers running with lights on during the day is to make other vehicles with lights on less attention getting. If road users see more and more lights on during the day those lights will stand out less.

That means that vulnerable road users such as motorbikes and extra hazardous road users such as unusual loads will be less easily seen.

Motorcycles are required to have the headlight or a daytime running light on during the day, if the bike is newer than 1980

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/motorcycle-road-code/about-riding/night-riding.html

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#984343 11-Feb-2014 18:16

RunningMan:
jpoc: [snip] Driving with your lights on during the day in NZ would be a pretty selfish act though. Headlights or daytime running lights being equal.

You will be a little safer because you will stand out more than a car with no lights on but every other road user will be at higher risk.

The effect of car drivers running with lights on during the day is to make other vehicles with lights on less attention getting. If road users see more and more lights on during the day those lights will stand out less.

That means that vulnerable road users such as motorbikes and extra hazardous road users such as unusual loads will be less easily seen.

Motorcycles are required to have the headlight or a daytime running light on during the day, if the bike is newer than 1980

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/motorcycle-road-code/about-riding/night-riding.html

Very true, I know a few bikies that ride on HIGH beam.

Not to mention you see a few with extremely bright lights on low beam. My bike is a example of that.

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#984348 11-Feb-2014 18:20

jarledb: I am considering adding daytime running lights to my car, and I have found what seems to be a good product that will replace the fog lights.

Anyone know if its allowed to remove factory fitted fog lights and replace them with daytime running lights in NZ?

If you want daytime running lights, just turn on your headlights...!

RunningMan

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#984350 11-Feb-2014 18:22

TimA:
Very true, I know a few bikies that ride on HIGH beam.

That's fine, unless there is oncoming traffic, traffic in front, or a pointsman.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-driving/night-driving.html

RunningMan

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#984354 11-Feb-2014 18:28

Geektastic:

If you want daytime running lights, just turn on your headlights...!

Would certainly do the job, and as long as you follow the rules about when to use main or dipped beam, perfectly allowable.

Doesn't have the bling factor though ;-)

I read somewhere recently (can't find the reference now) headlights account for about 0.2l/100 km fuel consumption, so might save a small amount of fuel if using LED lights.

jpoc

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#984358 11-Feb-2014 18:31

TimA:
RunningMan:
jpoc: [snip] Driving with your lights on during the day in NZ would be a pretty selfish act though. Headlights or daytime running lights being equal.

You will be a little safer because you will stand out more than a car with no lights on but every other road user will be at higher risk.

The effect of car drivers running with lights on during the day is to make other vehicles with lights on less attention getting. If road users see more and more lights on during the day those lights will stand out less.

That means that vulnerable road users such as motorbikes and extra hazardous road users such as unusual loads will be less easily seen.

Motorcycles are required to have the headlight or a daytime running light on during the day, if the bike is newer than 1980

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/motorcycle-road-code/about-riding/night-riding.html

Very true, I know a few bikies that ride on HIGH beam.

Not to mention you see a few with extremely bright lights on low beam. My bike is a example of that.

I do hope that you mean bright because they have powerful bulbs and not bright because that are wrongly aligned.

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