RelativeMotion1 t1_j8degbw wrote on February 13, 2023 at 2:12 PM

IMO the bigger issue is the fact that the instrument cluster (and other interior backlighting) is always illuminated.

You used to know your headlights weren’t on because none of the lights inside the car were on. Now, the dash is lit up all the time. So regardless of exterior light status, you have no obvious indication as a driver that your lights aren’t on.

Alternatively, cars with DRLs and always-on interior illumination should have automatic headlights so that this isn’t even an issue. Many already do, but it seems like people take them out of “auto” mode.

SwingPrestigious695 t1_j8e1kdw wrote on February 13, 2023 at 4:54 PM

Exactly this. Many people pay little to no attention when they operate a vehicle. When you get a car serviced, for instance, the lights are always shut off. People never notice it was done, and their interior has lights, so... Canada has legislation introduced that would make lights default to auto to prevent this, but I'm not sure where that is at the moment. If it passes there, I suspect many manufacturers will adopt it to keep all North American market stuff the same.