Daytime running lights
The practice of motorists switching on their driving lights during daytime hours is often referred to as Daytime Running Lights or DRL. As a road safety concept, it is based upon sound scientific fact: 
- When objects occur in the peripheral areas of vision, much stronger contrasts are required if detection is to occur. When detection relies upon peripheral vision, there is a greater need for high colour and/or brightness contrast to allow prompt detection.
- Where the contrast between vehicle colour and background colour is strongest, detection is quickest.
- Best detection results can be achieved for all vehicles if low beam headlights are on.
- This is important because it is generally accepted that a large proportion of vehicular crashes could have been avoided if early detection had been possible.
- Laboratory-based studies have shown that the greater the brightness contrast between an object and its background, the greater the probability of the object being detected. The lower the ambient illumination, the greater the contrast ratio required between object and background.
The RAC adopted DRL as a major Easter Road Safety Campaign in 1997. The concept was not new, having been first applied in Texas in the early 1960s.
- Texas and Perth (high ambient light conditions) share the same latitude range (30 to 35 degrees) North and South of the equator.
- It is generally accepted that DRL contribute to a 'safer' motoring environment, though the degree of impact remains a contentious issue.
- The overall road safety benefits to Western Australian motorists remains unclear, largely because of:
- Varying light/weather conditions.
- Usage rates.
- Other crash-contributing factors.
- Various DRL configurations.
- It is hoped that in the future, vehicle fleet managers will actively seek DRL-fitted vehicles and that these will ultimately enter the general community, thereby adding to the 'critical mass' necessary to ensure wide-spread adoption of a very low-cost road safety initiative.