Miata Mailing List: February 1995, Message #113
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   From: mjb@vince.arl.mil (Matthew J. Bennett)
Subject: Re: DRLs
   Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 13:33:39 -0500

> 
> I wonder if the addition of DRLs by GM and possibly by Ford and
> Chrysler is that a number of their cars are made in Canada and a number
> of the U.S. made cars are sold there.  Since they have to install the
> DRLs for Canada sales it may actually be cheaper for them to design
> and manufacture all their cars with DRLs which would save them money. 

*DING* we have a winner!  I'm not suprised that GM was the first to
do it in the US.  GM has always been a strong promoter of standard
pieces across platforms and marques. (resulting in a number of quite
bland cars, differentiated mainly by nameplate)  It annoys me that GM
is trying to come across as an innovator, when the concept has been
around for many, many years.

OTOH, DRL's may also cause 'target fixation' where the semi-conscious
driver is drawn towards the light (like a moth to a flame... stay away
from the light Carol-Ann, etc.)  I remember hearing about a study 
done by the Air Force that *bright* lights were actually harder to
track.  Could be one of those Urban Legends...

I remeber about hearing a speeding maneouver, speed (during daytime) with
brights on, in moderate traffic.  If you realize you've been nailed
at a distance, pull out of the fast lane into one of the slower lanes
and turn off your lights.  Harder for the cop to track the brights, and
he may lose sight of your car.  This may require some practice, and a bit
of luck...

Matt & Annoying Little Red Car