WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1399/99 by Gerhard SCHMID Daytime running lights and light-sensitive switches
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: common transport policy, non-polluting vehicle, research report, road safety, signalling device

C 27 E/46

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.1.2000

(2000/C 27 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1399/99

by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: Daytime running lights and light-sensitive switches

1.
Does the Commission have information suggesting that the introduction of compulsory daytime
running lights in road transport following the example of Scandinavian countries could lead to a reduction
in the number of accidents?

Is the Commission considering proposing the introduction of compulsory daytime running lights in

2.
the European Union?

3.

Is the Commission considering encouraging the introduction of a light-sensitive switch?

Is the Commission considering taking other measures in order to permit the main effects of daytime

4.
driving with lights to be achieved, without the possible attendant negative effects?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1999)

The accident reduction effect of daytime running lights has been extensively researched on the basis of
available evidence following its adoption in some Member States as well as Hungary and Canada. It has
also been assessed on the basis of the effects of trial experiments following the use of daytime running
lights on vehicle fleets. Overall, the results indicate that daytime running lights can reduce accidents,
especially fatal accidents, and that the effect varies directly with latitude and is most pronounced in
Scandinavian countries.

Evidence from some of the more robust studies, relevant to Central Europe, indicates that the accident
reduction effect in these latitudes is modest but statistically significant. There is an on-going debate about
the magnitude of the accident reduction effect of daytime running lights.

The Commission, in close cooperation with the High Level Group of representatives from each Member
State on road safety, is still investigating the effects of daytime running lights and, in particular, their
impact upon increased fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, currently estimated to lie
between 0,4 % and 2,5 %. The actual outcome depends very much upon the type of daytime running light
arrangement adopted, or the mix of alternative daytime running light arrangements adopted. The (cid:145)twilight
switch(cid:146) can automatically activate headlamps when ambient daylight levels are low, or there is poor
visibility, so they are not active for a large proportion of daytime running hours. This offers lower levels of
additional fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The extent to which daytime running lights increases fuel consumption is a significant issue within the
context of current initiatives to improve the fuel economy of passenger cars. The Commission will
therefore consider this issue carefully in its evaluation of the overall effects of daytime running lights.

(2000/C 27 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1400/99

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) and Doris Pack (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 September 1999)

Subject: The Commission(cid:146)s infringement proceedings against cross-border book price-fixing in Austria and

Germany

In a series of resolutions, most recently on 20 November 1998 (Resolution B4-0991/98 (1)),
1.
Parliament has expressed an opinion on the subject of cross-border book price-fixing. With regard to the
proceedings instituted by the Commission, Parliament assumes that dialogue with the Commission will
continue in Parliament(cid:146)s next legislative term and that the Commission will abide by the usual procedures
and not take a final decision in this matter before then.