drive Phantom Vehicles
new standards for daytime running lights may help ensure you ’ re not ghosted on the road
Once upOn a time , a dim instrument panel reminded motorists that their headlights weren ’ t engaged . But in most new vehicles , the panel is backlit anytime the engine is running . This leads some motorists to assume their daytime running lights ( DRL ) are also on . Problem is , in many vehicles , DRL doesn ’ t include rear illumination .
“ Before sunrise , after sunset and in bad weather , you get what are known as phantom vehicles ,” says Christine Niemczyk , CAA Saskatchewan ’ s director of corporate communications and public relations . These are cars that are virtually invisible from behind because their rear lights aren ’ t on . “ It ’ s a pet peeve for many drivers , but also a safety issue due to the visibility risks .”
Transport Canada has acknowledged it receives a high number of concerned letters about phantom vehicles — and is now taking steps to address those concerns . As of 2021 , all new cars sold in Canada will be required to be more visible in low-light conditions , by having one of three features : 1 ) daytime running lights and taillights that turn on when the instrument panel is illuminated and the vehicle is in operation ; 2 ) headlights , taillights and side marker lights that automatically turn on in low-light conditions ; 3 ) an instrument panel that remains dark until the driver manually turns on all the lights .
This isn ’ t the first time Canada has led the way with regard to vehiclelighting standards . In 1989 , we were the first country to require automatic DRL on all new vehicles , buoyed by research showing that it could reduce crash incidence by up to 15 percent during the day .
The irony is that DRL — designed to improve visibility — can inadvertently put drivers at risk , if they believe their full lighting system is engaged by default . “ It also impacts motorists following you . If they can ’ t see your taillights , it decreases their reaction time to brake or avoid a rear-end collision ,” Niemczyk says . To increase awareness about phantom vehicles , CAA partnered with Transport Canada on the See and Be Seen campaign , launched earlier this year .
So how can you ensure your car is lit ? Many vehicles have an “ auto ” option whereby sensors gauge ambient light to switch between DRL and a fully engaged headlight system ; just make sure that setting is on . Look for an “ A ,” “ Auto ” or the DRL symbol on your light dial . For cars lacking an automatic option , keeping your headlights on when driving is the safest bet .
caask . ca / safety canada . ca / en / transport-canada
AgencjA FotogrAFicznA cAro / AlAmy |
DashboarD DecoDer
When these symbols are illuminated , so are various lights on your car *
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Fog lights
Use in lowvisibility situations to illuminate the road surface beneath the fog
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high beams
often lit blue ; use on dark highways or back roads when no other cars are around
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low beams
includes rear lights ; use before sunrise , after sunset and in lowvisibility situations such as heavy rain or snow
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Daytime running lights
may not include rear lights ; automatically illuminated when the car is running
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* check your owner ’ s manual for specifics about dashboard symbols . CAA saskatchewan fall 2018
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