Car manufacturers are always working hard to come up new ways to sell their products. This means finding ways to make the vehicles more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, cost-effective, and safe for the consumer. The concept of daytime running lights, also known as DRLs, was one of the advancements designed to improve safety.
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Daytime running light technology was initially developed in the middle of the 20th century but it wasn't implemented until about 10 years later with Finland becoming the first country to mandate DRL installation on vehicles by law in 1972. In the northern most areas of the globe, they have less sun exposure than areas closer to the equator, and thus their daytime hours are darker. In areas like Alaska, Russia, Canada and Northern Europe, the implementation of DRLs was a major safety improvement, especially during the winter months, since vehicles became much more visible. Five years after Finland founded their laws, Sweden also followed suit.
Shortly after, Canada and many European countries adopted laws requiring the use of daytime running lights. In the 1990s, countries such as Denmark and Hungary also climbed on board. The United States didn't join the rankings and adopt the law but they did import vehicles from manufacturers that had implemented the daytime running lights in the 1990s. Major car manufacturer, General Motors, decided in the mid 1990s that some of the first car models in the United States that would implement daytime running lights would be Subaru, Chevrolet, Volvo and Volkswagen.
Researchers have found that the use of DRLs can reduce car accident frequency between 5 and 35 percent. These percentages depend on the location of the running light usage. As mentioned before, countries with less sunlight benefit the most from DRL use. Studies show that when the lights are working, they decrease the amount of left-hand turn collisions and other accidents.
Four different styles of daytime running lights exist. These include low-beam headlights, dimmed high beams, steady burning lights and dedicated DRLs. European countries tend to lean towards the usage of the low-beam headlights that stay on consistently once the car engine is running. Scandinavian countries were the first to implement the dedicated daytime running lights which work differently from the steady burn lights which run constantly without a manual switch. The dedicated DRLs work independently of the car's overall lighting system.
One common misconception about daytime running lights is that they place a drain on the car's battery life or reduce the car's fuel-economy. While there is a slight truth to these ideas, the overall stress on your car's system is barely noticeable. One of the disadvantages to DRLs is that the work all the time and with most models you can't manually turn them off. Also, the high-beam style of DRLs can be almost overly bright. There are instances during daylight hours where you physically need to turn on your regular headlights as well, such as in foggy or stormy conditions, because daytime running lights aren't enough to make yourself visible to other drivers and pedestrians.
Numerous countries around the world have implemented daytime running lights into the manufacturing of their vehicles and also require their usage by law. While the United States recommends using DRLs and recognizes their safety value, they have not adopted any laws for the time being. las vegas car accident lawyer Regardless of laws being in place or not, the safety advantages are undeniable.
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence but in some states it is called DWI, Driving While Intoxicated. There are strict laws in all of fifty states for those that are caught doing driving when they are intoxicated. If you are stopped for suspicious behavior the law enforcement officer can do a field sobriety test if the drive has slurred speech, has a strong odor of alcohol on them or general incoherence. They can also ask permission to do a BAC, which stands for Blood Alcohol Content test if the driver does not demonstrate good motor skills or judgment during the field tests. The BAC test will show the percentage of alcohol that is in their bloodstream and if it is over the legal limit, which in many states is 0.10% BAC, the driver can be arrested for DWI.
If a person is caught DUI it can have severe consequences. This is why many hire a DWI lawyer to help them get the minimum required sentence. The DUI lawyer is the type of lawyer that will handle all aspects of the case from the beginning to the end. When you hire them they will set up a consultation so they can explain all the possible scenarios that you could face if convicted of this crime. It could result in a revoked or suspended driving license, jail time, fines, fees, or a combination of any of these. An experienced DUI lawyer will generally challenge the arrest and try to convince the Court to lower the charges. They may even attempt to have the sentence against the defendant, one charged with the DUI, reduced. The DUI lawyer will also dispute whether the law enforcement officer was within their constitutional rights to stop the car. The lawyer may also in court question whether the test done was accurate or not.
They will also clarify any legal issues and make sure that you understand what is happening now and what could happen in the months following. For example, the lawyer can give you the details on what type of sentence is expected for someone who is convicted of DUI for the first time versus one who has been convicted before. With a DUI there are generally several hearings in Court, starting with the hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles, ending with the State or County Court. At each hearing the DUI lawyer will be there to advocate for the defendant.
When you are charged with a DUI take the time to research lawyers that specialize in this field. When choosing a DUI lawyer choose one that has a good track record with a lot of wins in court. You also should consider the fees they charge, per hour or a flat fee.