Will I Get Penalized for Driving with Daytime Running Lights at Night?

[IsabelFitz]

No penalty, but it poses safety hazards. The function of daytime running lights: Using daytime running lights during daytime driving can reduce traffic accidents by 12.4% and lower the probability of fatal crashes by 26.4%. In reality, daytime running lights have indeed improved road safety, especially in areas with heavy fog, smog, or poor visibility, which are common in some parts of our country. Hazards of using daytime running lights at night: It is not advisable to use daytime running lights at night. On one hand, unlike headlights, daytime running lights do not provide illumination. If you don't turn on your headlights in dark areas, it will not only affect oncoming and preceding vehicles, but the seemingly bright daytime running lights will make it appear as if no lights are on for those inside the car. If the purpose of using daytime running lights at night is to show off, it is irresponsible to both yourself and others. Proper use of vehicle lights ensures driving safety.

[DelLandon]

I used to wonder about this issue too, until I specifically checked the traffic regulations to understand it clearly. Simply put, daytime running lights (DRLs) are just warning lights for daytime use. They’re not bright enough at night and can’t illuminate the road properly! Traffic police will definitely pull you over if they see this. Although the penalty clauses don’t explicitly state how many points will be deducted, according to Article 90 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, improper use of vehicle lights can result in a fine of 200 yuan and possible points deduction. Once, while driving at night, I saw a car ahead with only DRLs on—it looked like a ghost in a stretch of road without streetlights, and the car behind almost rear-ended it. My advice is to always turn the light knob to AUTO mode or directly switch on the low beams when starting the car. Nowadays, many new cars come with automatic headlight sensor systems.

[KadenMarie]

A veteran mechanic with 20 years of experience warns you: Driving with daytime running lights at night is absolutely dangerous! Daytime running lights are less than 30% as bright as low beams and have insufficient illumination range. Last year, while inspecting a customer's vehicle, I discovered his taillights weren't working because he mistakenly had the daytime running lights mode on. Traffic police officers particularly dislike this practice during patrols - if caught, it results in a 200 yuan fine. Once at the traffic management bureau, I saw surveillance footage of an accident where a vehicle hit guardrails due to insufficient lighting. Nowadays, new cars have a light control lever on the left side of the steering wheel with a headlight symbol - you must turn the switch to the cat-eye icon position for proper lighting.

[DiSara]

As a female car owner who often drives night shifts, I want to remind my sisters: Never use daytime running lights (DRLs) instead of headlights at night just to save trouble! Last time, my best friend got fined because she didn't know the difference between DRLs and low beams. The LED beads in DRLs are sparsely arranged, resulting in poor light penetration at night. I tested my own car and found that the dashboard doesn't display any light indicator when DRLs are on. It's advisable to develop the habit of checking the dashboard when getting in the car - only when you see the green headlight icon are you using the correct lights. Those who've modified their DRLs should pay extra attention to power matching in the circuit.

[Darlene]

Young people always love to show off with their daytime running lights (DRLs), but it's really not okay at night! Last week at a gathering, my buddy picked me up with his modified DRLs—the icy blue lights looked cool in the parking lot, but once on the road, he got a lecture from the traffic police. I specifically asked a cop friend, and he said the illumination angle of DRLs is completely different from low beams. With DRLs on, the area within 15 meters in front of your car is basically pitch black. Nowadays, new models like Lynk & Co and Tesla have smart lighting control panels that automatically switch to low beams when it gets slightly dark. For older car owners, it's recommended to install a light-sensitive sensor—just a hundred bucks can solve the problem of accidentally leaving DRLs on.

[OJulian]

From a vehicle engineering perspective, daytime running lights (DRLs) and low beams are completely different optical structures. DRLs use a diffuser panel design with an illumination range of less than 25 meters, while low beams employ a reflector bowl structure with a minimum illumination distance of 40 meters. Manufacturers discovered during crash tests that vehicles operating solely with DRLs at night had three times higher accident rates. It is recommended to annually inspect the lighting system, especially for vehicles equipped with automatic switches. Last time when assisting a customer with wiring corrosion issues, it was traced back to overheating in the DRL module. Nighttime driving safety leaves no room for negligence!