"Are Cars with Daytime Running Lights Really Safe? Understanding the Differences Between Europe, the US, and Japan"

The article from Jalopnik begins with a simple question: why are daytime running lights, or DRLs, mandatory in Europe but not in the United States? In Europe, DRLs have been mandatory for new passenger cars and small commercial vehicles since 2011, and for trucks and buses since 2012. In contrast, in the United States, federal standards continue to treat DRLs as "optional equipment that may be installed." Jalopnik points out that one of the reasons for this is a study by the NHTSA, which concluded that the effectiveness of DRLs was not definitive.

So, what about Japan? In conclusion, Japan is neither following the European model nor the American model, but is somewhere in between. Japan does not prohibit daytime running lights per se. In fact, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) revised safety standards in 2016 to incorporate UN ECE Regulation No. 87, establishing standards for daytime running lights. Current safety standards also state that vehicles can be equipped with daytime running lights, with specific details on brightness and color. In other words, there is already a legal place for DRLs in Japan. However, they are not mandatory, which is a decisive difference from Europe.

Moreover, Japan's system has prioritized measures against driving without lights or delayed lighting at dusk over daytime visibility. During the 2016 revision, MLIT, considering the actual traffic accident situation at dusk, announced a policy to mandate automatic low beam headlights that turn on when ambient light falls below a certain level. According to JAF, this mandate started with new passenger cars from April 2020. The first step taken by Japanese authorities was not to "light up during the day," but to "ensure lights are on when it gets dark."

Underlying this is the unique accident situation in Japan. The National Police Agency explains that traffic fatalities occur frequently during twilight hours. Furthermore, materials from the autumn traffic safety campaign indicate that from October to December, the number of traffic fatalities during the hour before and after sunset is about 1.7 times higher than from July to September. Given that accidents concentrate during times when vehicles become less visible not only to other drivers but also to pedestrians and cyclists, Japan's policy of focusing on "ensuring early headlight activation" rather than "full DRL mandate" makes a lot of sense.

In fact, in Japan, the driving habit of "turning on lights after it gets dark" has long persisted. A nationwide survey by JAF showed that only 0.9% of cars had their headlights on 30 minutes before sunset, and 42.5% were still without lights at sunset. This means that without institutional support, drivers were prone to delay turning on their lights. The urgency to mandate auto lights in Japan was not merely about introducing advanced equipment but also about addressing this delay in behavior.

So, is the reason Japan doesn't mandate DRLs like Europe because it is passive about safety? It's not that simple. Looking at public information and industry explanations in Japan, there are at least three reasons. First, Japan already allows DRL installation, and manufacturers can adopt them if they choose. Second, as a measure against accidents, the priority was higher for auto lights to prevent delayed lighting at dusk. Third, there is a significant societal concern about the glare of lights. JAF also explains that in Japan, DRLs intended for foreign markets cannot be used as is and may be treated as accessory lights with reduced brightness.

The issue of "glare" cannot be overlooked. In recent years in Japan, the spread of LED headlights and signature lamps has made the front lighting of cars stronger, whiter, and sharper. While daylight itself does not have the same light intensity as headlights, depending on the vehicle model, light axis, and viewing angle, it can be perceived as quite glaring. Domestic media have also reported voices on social media saying "it's dazzling," "even daylight gets high-beam flashed," and "it's blinding and dangerous." Even if it is a safety feature, if it causes discomfort or anxiety to others, there will be backlash. This sentiment is quite difficult to ignore in Japan.

On the other hand, a favorable view of DRLs is certainly spreading. Automotive media report that more Japanese cars are adopting daylight models, and they are becoming established not only as a means of improving visibility but also as a design element expressing brand identity and a sense of advancement. In short, DRLs are now both a safety feature and a part of the "face" of a vehicle. On social media, there are many posts praising the design of daylight as "cool" and appreciating the presence it gives even during the day. The integration of function and design is a factor that supports their spread in Japan.

Broadly categorizing social media reactions, there are probably three groups in Japan. The first group prioritizes "safety," believing that being visible is more important than being without lights, even if it's a bit glaring. The second group has "glare concerns," feeling that it's hard to be considerate of oncoming or stationary vehicles and that the light is too strong. The third group "welcomes the design," appreciating DRLs as modern and cool equipment. Indeed, on X, there are posts viewing the auto light mandate positively, posts saying daylight is dazzling, and posts praising the design of daylight for different car models. However, these are merely observable voices and do not have the representativeness of a public opinion survey.

Looking at Japan's current situation more calmly, it would be more accurate to say that it is not a "country that doesn't need DRLs," but rather a "country that doesn't see DRLs as the only correct answer." In Japan, motorcycles have been required to have lights on all day since 1998. For vehicles that are small and less noticeable, the value of daytime lighting is clear. On the other hand, for four-wheeled vehicles, the focus is on promoting auto lights as a measure against dusk accidents while expanding DRLs as optional equipment. The idea that the necessary visibility differs by vehicle type and purpose is already incorporated into the system.

Looking ahead, at least in the short term, it seems unlikely that Japan will quickly move toward a uniform mandate like Europe. Japan is currently in a phase of legally recognizing DRLs while first promoting the spread of auto lights and vehicle updates. JAF also states that it will take decades for auto lights that comply with the new safety standards to become widespread throughout society. From an administrative perspective, the first priority is to reliably reduce existing dusk risks. Alongside this, the design competition among manufacturers, LED adoption, and the evolution of advanced lighting will continue to increase the number of vehicles equipped with DRLs. However, this is likely to progress more through a combination of market forces and safety standards rather than through mandates.

What should be noted in Japan is the shift from "just being bright is enough" to "being visible without being too glaring." Recent materials from MLIT also treat high-function headlights like ADB, which balance improved nighttime pedestrian visibility with glare prevention, as optional equipment that has been legalized. Whether it's daytime DRLs or nighttime headlights, Japan's next theme is likely the same: ensuring visibility while not causing discomfort to others. Technologies that can achieve this balance are more likely to be accepted in Japan.

When reading the Jalopnik article in the context of Japan, the answer is surprisingly clear. Europe pushed through the policy of "being visible even during the day." The United States left it to the market, deeming it unnecessary to mandate. Meanwhile, Japan first institutionalized "ensuring lights are on at dusk" while expanding "being noticeable during the day" as optional equipment. Therefore, it's natural for the debate over DRLs to be divided in Japan. Some people think they are necessary for safety, while others are fed up with the glare. However, this very conflict is evidence that Japan's car society is exploring the boundary between "visibility" and "glare."

Source URL

The issue of DRLs being mandatory in Europe but not in the US
https://www.jalopnik.com/2135657/daytime-running-lights-mandatory-europe-not-us/

EU official explanation (confirmation that DRL installation on new cars has been mandatory in the EU since 2011)
https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/eu-road-safety-policy/priorities/safe-vehicles/daytime-running-light_en

NHTSA official interpretation (confirmation that DRLs have been treated as non-mandatory equipment in the US)
https://www.nhtsa.gov/interpretations/nht90-21

NHTSA current explanatory materials (confirmation that DRLs are treated as "if equipped" non-mandatory equipment under FMVSS No.108)
https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-interpretation-file-search?page=4

MLIT revision materials (materials indicating the introduction of daytime running light standards and the policy of mandating auto lights in Japan in 2016)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001148214.pdf

MLIT press release (background explanation for Japan's mandate of auto lights as a measure against dusk accidents)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/jidosha07_hh_000220.html

Safety Standards for Road Transport Vehicles Article 34-3 (basis stating that daytime running lights can be equipped in Japan)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/content/H034-3.pdf

Notification defining details of safety standards for road transport vehicles Article 202-2 (detailed standards for DRL brightness below 1440cd, white color, etc.)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/content/S202-2.pdf

JAF lighting quiz explanation (explanation that bright DRLs intended for foreign countries cannot be used as is in Japan and may be treated as accessory lights)
https://jaf.or.jp/common/safety-drive/car-learning/safety-light/headlight-quiz

JAF auto light explanation (explanation of the mandate of auto lights from 2020, the purpose of Japan's system, and the time required for widespread adoption)
https://jaf.or.jp/common/safety-drive/car-learning/safety-light/mandatory

JAF nationwide survey on headlight usage (confirmation of the reality that lighting was often delayed at dusk in Japan)
https://jaf.or.jp/common/safety-drive/library/survey-report/2014-headlight

National Police Agency's page on dusk accident measures (explanation that traffic fatalities are frequent during twilight hours)
https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/anzen/hakubo.html

National Police Agency's autumn traffic safety campaign materials (materials indicating that traffic fatalities increase by about 1.7 times during twilight hours from October to December)
https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/bunseki/anzenundou/040915akikou.pdf

JAF motorcycle-related explanation (confirmation that all-day lighting for motorcycles has been mandatory in Japan)
https://jaf.or.jp/common/safety-drive/car-learning/safety-light/headlight-quiz

Safety standards for motorcycles materials (confirmation of the structure where at least one headlight is always on when the engine is running)
https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/kijyun/saimokukokuji/saikoku_198_00.pdf

Domestic media article (reference for the increase in DRL-equipped Japanese cars and the penetration from a design perspective)
https://www.webcartop.jp/2020/06/537512/

Domestic media article (reference for reactions on social media such as "it's dazzling," reflecting the temperature of the debate in Japan)
https://kuruma-news.jp/post/476933