DRLs now mandatory in Europe

From about now you should be able to notice that there are an increasing number of cars with automatic daylight running lights, writes Brian Byrne.

That's because since February, all new cars and light vans being sold in Europe are required to have the DRLs, for years required only in Scandinavian countries.

They save lives, both motorist and pedestrian, many studies have shown.

They're also better for the environment than standard lights, as virtually all are now using low-energy LEDs in the systems.

DRLs become mandatory on all trucks and buses from August of next year.