WHY DO SO MANY CARS NOT HAVE THEIR REAR LIGHTS ON?
Dear Alex,
Driving on a motorway, my companion remarked that all of the cars on the opposite carriageway displayed front lights, yet most of the cars in front of us were not illuminated.
In fact the cars around us did have their lights on but, on the whole, only at the front. How could so many cars have only their front lights on?
– KR
Dear KR,
Since 2011, all new cars have had to have daytime running lights (DRLs), which means their headlights come on at a reduced intensity (or, as an alternative, there’s a dedicated light or strip of LEDs that come on instead) whenever the ignition is turned on.
DRLs operate in a similar principle to the old “dim-dip” lighting system we used to have in the UK, which brought your headlights on at about 20 per cent intensity when you turned on the sidelights.
The idea was that you would use dim-dip in town, at dusk and during the day when the weather was poor. In these conditions, you might not require headlights to see, but it was still important to be seen; consequently, dim-dip increased your conspicuity, without causing extra glare for other drivers.
So DRLs allow you to be seen more easily in dull weather, catching the eye where a completely unlit car might not. The difference is they come on automatically, rather than with the sidelights.
When the regulations were drawn up, they set maximum limits on the brightness of DRLs, which had the effect of preventing manufacturers from simply wiring the dipped beams of the main headlights to be illuminated all the time.
However, the regulations only mandated DRLs at the front, so manufacturers usually didn’t bother to wire in the rear lights.
As a result, every modern car, when running, will show dimmed headlights (or, as mentioned above, an LED strip). But relatively few will also show rear lights.
Of course, the problem is that some drivers will rely too heavily on their DRLs; many will see the glow of these dimmed headlights reflected from other cars or from the road surface and assume that their headlights are on, especially if they have automatic lights.
Thus, they don’t bother to check that their dipped beams are in fact switched on – thus activating the rear lights – when the weather is poor.
That’s changing, however. Some manufacturers have realised that the regulations don’t quite go far enough and are starting to set up their cars to show rear lights with the DRLs. Some are even using light sensors to activate messages on the screen, or dim the dashboard lights, in order to prompt drivers to switch on their main lights in darker conditions.
Ultimately, it’s the driver’s responsibility to make sure their lights are correctly illuminated – and not to rely too much on the convenience of these newer automated systems.
Which small SUV is best for easy entry and egress?
I need to put my Peugeot 308 1.2 Puretech out to pasture but I have no idea what to replace it with. It has to have easy access due to my bad knees and having an elderly father to get in and out.
I like the idea of a small SUV for a slightly higher driving position, with a six-speed annual gearbox and a bit of oomph for motorway driving, but not necessarily a powerful engine. I would also like to avoid the “wet” timing belts that have caused issues. My budget would be about £20,000 for something up to two years old. What do you suggest?
– SN
Dear SN,
My preference in this instance would be a Hyundai Bayon. It’s often overlooked in favour of better known compact SUV options, largely because behind its extrovert styling the Bayon is, well, a bit boring to drive.
But that doesn’t prevent it being comfortable and roomy, while offering a surprising amount of space. It has the six-speed gearbox you require, with a 1.0-litre turbo engine that punches well above its weight.
It has a timing chain, which shouldn’t normally need changing, rather than a belt.
Great deals abound; some dealers are offering pre-registered examples with delivery mileage for within your budget. I even found a 2025 Ultimate – the top-of-the-range model with all the bells and whistles – with only 1,800 miles for £19,498.
Choosing a Bayon up to two years old means you’ll get the majority of Hyundai’s five-year warranty remaining.
With warranty in mind, a Dacia Duster is also worth a look. All Dacias are now eligible for a service-activated warranty that keeps them in cover for up to seven years from new, assuming you service it at a main dealer.
While the Duster is a bit brittle inside and doesn’t quite ride or handle with the sophistication of its rivals, it’s plenty comfortable enough, very roomy, with lots of equipment for the price.
You can just about scrape into an example of the latest generation for your budget, which is worth doing as it’s a considerable step forward over its predecessor. I found a 2024 1.2 TCe MHEV Journey for £19,895.
If these options seem a bit too small, look at a Skoda Karoq. I found a 1.0 TSI SE L that’s a year old with 13,000 miles for £19,999.
The Karoq has more room and greater versatility than the Duster or the Bayon, but it’s no longer than your current 308, so it shouldn’t feel any more cumbersome. It’s comfortable, good to drive and, in this form, well equipped.
Granted, you get less warranty as standard – only three years from new. But if you take out one of Skoda’s “All-In” service plans when the warranty expires, you’ll get an extra two years of cover.
2025-10-14T06:30:48Z
