'Day-Lights Robbery' say BMF

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Eamonn Townsend

'Day-Lights Robbery' say BMF

Post by Eamonn Townsend »

News that the European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (ACEM) has adopted the practice of Automatic Headlamp On (AHO) for all motorcycles, scooters and mopeds from 2003, has robbed the rider of choice say the British Motorcyclists Federation.

AHO means that the headlight is 'hard-wired' to illuminate automatically whenever the ignition is switched on and therefore the normal on-off headlight switch is not even fitted. While accepting that the majority of riders already use their headlights in daylight, that is their choice, for the other riders, they will have no choice say the BMF.

The BMF see the implementation of this measure before consultation with users as a mistake. Nowhere in the world has the effectiveness of either DRLs or dipped headlights in reducing accidents ever been proven say the BMF. In fact, research has shown that the speed of an approaching motorcycle is far more difficult to assess with its headlight on than without!

Ironically, this news has come just as the EU is calling for further research into the effectiveness of permanent Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) for cars, itself a move by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association to head-off proposals for costly pedestrian-friendly car design regulations.

Commenting, BMF Chief Executive Simon Wilkinson said: "We suspect the main reason for this move is the manufacturer's wish for globalisation of standards to cut production costs, not to improve road safety. While evidence of the effectiveness of DRLs in reducing accidents, either between vehicles or between vehicles and pedestrians, is yet to be proved, removing choice from the rider is a major issue in itself that deserves proper debate. We shall be making our objections known when Type Approval is sought."

Note: The BMF were successful in 1983 in getting the then government Transport Minister, Lynda Chalker, to drop plans to make DRLs compulsory on motorcycles and also succeed in getting the Advertising Standards Authority to force Lucas Industries to withdraw adverts for DRLs on the grounds that their safety benefits were not proven.
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