Author: Evgeny Zhivoglyadov. Date of publication: September 29, 2016. Category: Automotive equipment.
Not so long ago, our authorities passed a law stating that, regardless of the time of day, fog lights or DRLs must work on cars. This decision was based on the experience of European specialists, who proved that thanks to working light elements on the vehicle, the percentage of road accidents can be significantly reduced. In this regard, since 2010, changes have been made to GOST and traffic rules, according to which non-working fog lights or missing DRLs can cause a rather “unpleasant” fine (1,500 rubles).
But, despite the fact that the installation of daytime running lights has now become mandatory, some car owners are convinced that they have found a way out of the situation. Particularly enterprising drivers decide to simply connect the lights in the low beam headlights so that they turn on along with the engine, naively believing that this will be enough. Unfortunately, side lights will not help you in any way when meeting with a traffic police officer, since they cannot be used instead of DRLs. Therefore, if you are not the owner of a modern car that already has “hybrid” fog lights with DRLs installed, then there is no escape from installing new light elements.
You can install running lights in a specialized workshop or yourself. If you are confident in your abilities, then before you start work, carefully study the rules for installing running lights on a passenger car.
DRL laws in Russia: GOST and traffic rules
Low beam (2 bulbs) and high beam (2 bulbs) headlights are the main lighting devices that are designed to illuminate the road in front of the car.
In this case, the low beam illuminates the area directly in front of the car, and the high beam illuminates a more distant area. It makes sense to use low beam at low speeds, high beam at higher speeds.
PTF - 2 headlights in the front bumper of a car, designed to illuminate the road in poor visibility conditions.
Fog lights are optional for 2022, so not all vehicle trim levels have them. That is, the car may not have PTF.
Fog light - a red light at the rear of the vehicle, designed to improve visibility of the vehicle in poor visibility conditions. This light device is very bright and in good weather it can blind drivers of cars behind.
This lamp is required to be installed on all cars.
When driving during daylight hours, the vehicle must have one of the following lights on:
- low beam;
- Daytime Running Lights;
- fog lights;
If the car has all the listed devices, then it makes sense to use DRL. These lights are brighter and use less electricity.
When driving, the following can also be turned on:
- parking lights.
It is prohibited to use:
- fog lamp.
The Traffic Rules will include a new definition of “calm traffic zone” and, accordingly, a new road sign. It is planned that this sign will display an area in which motorists must travel at a speed no higher than 10-20 kilometers. Overtaking within this area will also be prohibited.
At the same time, pedestrians within the area marked with this sign will receive complete freedom of movement and will be able to cross the road in any place convenient for them.
Installing daytime running lights
The first candidates for installation were the largest devices, namely 5 LEDs. Yes, yes, it is Philips LED daytime lights, and not LED DayLight 8, that have the largest dimensions. However, there is no need to be alarmed in advance; they are only large in relation to other samples. However, having tried the “five” on all editorial cars, we were able to find a place for it on only two cars, namely the Renault Logan of the first phase and the Ford C-Max. It was not possible to attach them to any other car and maintain the installation dimensions. More precisely, one of the dimensions is 60 cm between the inner edges of the lanterns. By the way, as a rule, this parameter is the most difficult to maintain. Installation with markings and stops for photographic recording of the entire event required about 2.5 hours.
Next in line was a kit whose dimensions were significantly smaller. We are talking about Philips LED DayLight 4 LED daytime running lights, that is, 4 LEDs. The small size of this device made it possible to install them on a much larger number of cars, but we decided to implement them on the Hyundai Getz. However, when installing the DRLs we encountered one difficulty. Even before installation, in order to better measure the location, it was decided to try on these lights along with the installation bracket. One click, and... 15 minutes of problems in separating the lights themselves and the mounting bracket were provided to us. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t separate them as easily. The fastening of the bracket to the lamp itself is done very well and absolutely eliminates spontaneous disconnection. In this regard, advice: do not do this until the last moment, that is, until the final installation. Otherwise there were no problems. The “plus” wire from the switching unit to the “plus” of the battery, the “minus” to the “minus”, the on/off control wire - in parallel with the “plus” of the side lights near the headlight - and that’s all. In general, the installation, not counting problems with disconnection, took no more than two hours.
Daytime running lights Philips DayLight 8, although it consisted of eight LEDs, was still not much larger than the “four” in size, and also differed favorably from the previous two in the following parameters. Firstly, the angle at which the visibility of these DRLs is maximum has been increased by 20 degrees horizontally, which makes the car visible even when looking at it not head-on, but from three-quarters. Secondly, the “eight” can also work in side lights mode. That is, not completely turn off, but fade out. By the way, it is precisely for this reason that the delivery set includes two decoys that are inserted instead of marker lamps. Many modern cars have a control unit for failed lamps, and so that this system does not worry, these tricks are used. But, we think, no one will use them here. And yet the European approach is felt even in this. The installation of the “eight” is no different from the installation of other kits, and therefore it did not take any more time than expected by the manufacturer. By the way, due to their small dimensions, they can be installed on a very large number of cars. For a lot, but not for everything.
Clarifications on the new rules for car tuning from February 1, 2021
In the summer of 2022, a complete transition to electronic PTS is planned. The technical equipment passport will allow you to save all information about motorists in the traffic police databases, which will allow citizens to quickly find out the entire history of the owners when purchasing a used vehicle.
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In addition, the convenience of an electronic passport lies in the fact that you can enter more detailed information about the car: maintenance, repairs performed.
In 2022, the Government approved a bill that allows traffic police officers to prosecute drivers who have committed an offense recorded by third parties. Especially for this, in 20148 the “People’s Inspector” application will be announced, through which ordinary eyewitnesses will be able to send information about traffic violations committed by drivers to the traffic police.
In this case, traffic inspectors will not need to draw up decisions to hold the driver accountable for violations of traffic rules and issue a protocol. To punish the perpetrator, it will be sufficient to have a video recording of the violation.
At the beginning of 2022, a new form of compulsory motor third party liability insurance policy will appear, which additionally provides a special code with which you can easily obtain all the information about the contract concluded with the insurance company. All information will be available in real time on the website of the Russian Union of Auto Insurers.
Using this form will allow you to use the application to obtain the following information about the agreement between the insurer and the policyholder:
- Name of the insurance company.
- Series, number and date of issue of the insurance policy.
- Start date and end date of the vehicle use period.
- Information about the policyholder.
- Information about the owner of the insured vehicle.
- Information about persons who are allowed to drive the insured car (list of drivers or an indication of their unlimited circle).
The introduction of this new form is aimed at reducing the number of counterfeit MTPL policies.
The bill being considered by the Government contains amendments stating that compulsory carrier insurance, which is currently taken out by the owners of buses and other public vehicles, must also be provided to taxis.
The law on compulsory carrier liability insurance has been in force in Russia since 2013.
In accordance with the requirements of this regulatory act, the carrier that transports passengers must insure its liability to them.
Places for installing DRLs
The car owner himself chooses what kind of lights his vehicle will have, if they are not included in the basic configuration. There are specific rules for installation in accordance with GOST and traffic regulations. The main points are:
- DRLs should be located no higher than 1.5 m above the ground.
- Installed symmetrically about the axis.
- They must not protrude beyond the overall dimensions of the vehicle.
- The number of lamps that is installed on the car is only one pair.
- They must be located in front of the car and shine along the trajectory of its movement.
Why are daytime running lights needed?
Changes to the rules for organizing transportation of groups of children, which occurred back in 2015, still entail the emergence of various innovations. In particular, from January 2022, it is prohibited to use buses over 10 years of age to transport children.
This ban applies to organized groups of children, for the transportation of whom only a vehicle that has been produced for no more than 10 years can be used. In addition, the bus used for these purposes must meet the following requirements:
- Compliance with all design and technical safety requirements for the transportation of passengers.
- The bus is allowed to participate in road traffic in accordance with the established procedure.
- The bus is equipped with GLONASS satellite navigation.
Despite the fact that this ban has been postponed several times previously, on January 1, 2022 it began to take effect completely.
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- The Ministry of Transport has prepared a number of amendments to the traffic rules [review] - 09/14/2020
- Parking, tinting, speed limits - new amendments from the Ministry of Transport - 09/14/2020
- Changes in traffic rules from June 2022 - 12/27/2018
- Changes in traffic rules from January 2022 - 12/27/2018
- The insurance ombudsman will work in Russia from January 9, 2022 - 12/27/2018
- Passing traffic rules when replacing licenses from January 1, 2022: latest news - 12/27/2018
- The fine for dangerous driving has been postponed to 2022 - 12/27/2018
- License exam 2022: 14 important changes - 12/25/2019
- Traffic police fines from January 1, 2022 - 11/16/2020
- Will it be possible to get a license from 16 or 17 years old in 2022? — 05/01/2021
- Amendments to the traffic police exam have been postponed from October 1, 2022 - 05/23/2020
- Tachographs from January 1, 2022: latest news - 26/11/2020
Running lights were not initially required to be used when operating a vehicle in the country.
It is only important to note that today all vehicles without exception are equipped with them and their use is strictly required day and night.
Violation of this rule is subject to a fairly serious fine - its amount depends on the severity of the violation.
How to install correctly
Many drivers do not know how to install and select running lights so as not to be fined for violating installation rules. It’s not difficult to understand the issue; first of all, you need to take into account the location requirements, and it’s also worth remembering these tips:
- You should only choose those options that are certified in the country and can be used as DRLs. Usually, information about this is always on the packaging or there is a supporting document. You should not order dubious products from China, as they may not meet the standards.
- It is best to use models with a control unit that automatically turns on the light when the voltage in the on-board network rises above 13 V. This option is connected directly to the battery, which simplifies the system and makes it reliable.
- Studying the connection diagram included in the kit is mandatory. The most commonly used is the standard option shown below. It can be used to understand the work even for those who have no experience in installing DRLs.
- The location is selected, it all depends on the design of the front part of the car and the layout of the lighting equipment. It is important to securely secure the light sources so that they are directed straight ahead. It is better to select a model for your car so that the appearance after installation is attractive.
The DRL installation diagram is simple, everything you need is included in the kit.
Changes in traffic rules from January 1, 2022
The advantages of using DRLs can be considered using two examples:
- Most cars in use have fairly high power and torque. All this allows them to quickly accelerate to high speeds and perform various maneuvers. If, while one car is performing a dangerous maneuver, the other driver does not notice the vehicle coming towards you, an accident may occur.
- It seems that during the day in the sunshine the car is clearly visible. But the glare from the windows and mirrors of cars coming towards you dulls visibility. In this case, DRL can protect you from an accident.
According to the 2016 Road Traffic Regulations, all drivers must turn on DRLs or fog lights or low beam lights while driving. Such requirements ensure the safety of all other road users.
If the driver does not comply with this rule, he may be issued a fine of 500 rubles.
According to the traffic rules, DRLs must be used in the following cases:
- If minor passengers are transported;
- If transport is difficult to distinguish in the distance;
- If oversized items or harmful substances are transported;
- DRLs must be used on public transport and minibuses.
From January 1, 2022, new rules for the transportation of passengers and luggage come into force: they apply to public transport and taxis. We are talking about Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated October 1, 2020 N 1586.
The biggest changes in the new rules concern taxis. Thus, according to the new rules, before a taxi is served, the passenger must be provided with the following mandatory information:
- Order number;
- carrier name;
- fee size;
- planned time of arrival.
Constantly turning on headlights during the day wastes more gasoline and melts headlights, Uzbeks believe.
In Uzbekistan, from May 10, 2022, drivers began to be fined for not turning on low beam headlights or daytime running lights (DRLs) during the day.
Nevertheless, most car owners continue to drive in the daytime with their headlights off. The motivation here is simple - supposedly, with the headlights on, more gasoline is spent, and the headlights themselves can melt and the car catch fire.
Correct: daytime running lights (DRL) are external lighting devices designed to improve the visibility of a moving vehicle during daylight hours. Not to be confused with side lights!
The purpose of DRL is to “mark” the driver of an oncoming vehicle and pedestrian without blinding him. Formally, this means that the DRL should shine into the eyes of oncoming traffic and pedestrians (even higher).
The opinion that fuel consumption increases significantly due to DRLs or low beam headlights is fundamentally incorrect.
The effect of DRL on fuel consumption is insignificant and falls within the measurement errors. In addition, the often practiced morning “warm-up” of the engine consumes much more fuel than all the electric consumers installed on the car.
Fines for running lights
The requirements for the use of DRLs are specified in the traffic regulations and any violations may result in a fine. Everything is quite simple here:
- When driving without running lights or another permitted option, a fine of 500 rubles is imposed. Moreover, if the violation is repeated periodically, the amount will not change; a receipt for 500 rubles will still be issued.
- If a lamp burns out in one of the light sources or a diode in an LED element fails, you will also have to pay a fine of 500 rubles. Everything here is the same as in the paragraph above; if the violation is repeated, the amount will not increase.
- Another reason for a fine (also in the amount of 500 rubles) is severe pollution of light sources. If you drive on the highway for a long time in winter or when a lot of dirt rises from the road, the DRLs become so dirty that they are practically invisible. Therefore, from time to time it is worth stopping and checking this point.
- If the driver has not had any traffic violations over the past six months, the inspector may limit himself to a warning. It is worth remembering this so that when communicating, you can focus on the fact that there have been no violations for a very long time.
With new cars everything is much simpler, since DRLs are included in the headlight design.
By the way! If you pay the issued fine within the first 20 days, a 50% discount applies. That is, when the driver does not delay payment, he can save 250 rubles, which is also important.
Fines, licenses and scooters: what will change in traffic rules in 2021
Most experts have already agreed that turning on low beam headlights or daytime running lights improves road safety. Indeed, it’s one thing to not notice a car of a discreet color in the bustle of the city or to overlook an oncoming car in the flickering light and shadows on an alley road. Just try not to pay attention to two bright light sources!
Let us give the rationale from a scientific study of the psychophysical characteristics of a person when driving a car at high speeds:
When the body and eyes are stationary, the field of view in the horizontal plane is 120 degrees. At a speed of 20 km/h, the field of view narrows to 80 degrees, at 40 km/h - to 45 degrees, at 80 km/h - to 30 degrees, at 100 km/h - to 22 degrees, at 160 km/h - to 5 degrees. The driver cannot see anything outside of these sectors. As a result, the risk of collision or collision with objects that move from the side of the road to the center of the road increases.
The inclusion of low beam headlights or DRLs is provided for in the legislation of countries with climates even hotter than ours. In general, world practice is as follows:
in the UK, low beam headlights are also used instead of DRLs, but their voltage must be reduced;
in the USA it is customary to use high beam headlights, again at a reduced voltage (the so-called “30% high beam” or “Scandinavian light”);
Separate running lights are mandatory in Scandinavian countries. Moreover, all cars produced in these countries are equipped with such lights;
in Russia, the use of fog lights as DRLs is provided;
In neighboring countries, DRL has been used for several years: in Kyrgyzstan - since 2009, in Kazakhstan - since 2014.
We advise owners of old cars to undergo a technical check at service stations to check for wear and tear on electrical appliances, electrical wires, etc. and drive with low beam headlights on.
According to the current Road Traffic Regulations, fog lights can be used instead of low beam headlights.
A similar load is taken into account in the design of modern engines.
Dear drivers! Having daytime running lights or low beam headlights on is your personal passive safety.
Due to the fact that your vehicle is visible from afar by another driver, he will be able to prepare in advance for dangerous maneuvers, turns, overtaking, etc. or wait and not do it.
Today, the requirements for daytime running lights are regulated by a number of legal and by-laws, knowledge of which, no doubt, will not hurt car owners. The first and fundamental document that sets out the requirements for running lights is Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 10, 2010 No. 316 Moscow on amending Resolution of the Council of Ministers - Government of the Russian Federation dated October 23, 1993 No. 1090.
Accordingly, changes were made to the traffic rules of the Russian Federation: 19. Use of external lighting devices and sound signals, clause 19.5. “During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights on for the purpose of identifying them.”
Before these truly fateful decisions, he explained what the running lights of a car are GOST R 41.87-99 “Uniform regulations concerning the official approval of daytime running lights of motor vehicles.”
DRL regulations – GOST R 41.48-2004
Since Russia has accepted the terms of the European Convention on Road Traffic, the requirements of UNECE Rules No. 48, reflected in GOST R 41.48-2004, which replaced the outdated “uniform regulations” 41.87-99, apply to the Russian vehicle fleet. What does the legislation tell us about additional lighting devices?
Traffic rules in paragraph 19.5. expressly permit the use of DRL:
“during daylight hours, all moving vehicles... must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights.”
It would seem – install, connect – and off you go!
But the same GOST prescribes a special location, operating mode and brightness of navigation lights. And possible interpretations are explained by Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 316 of May 10, 2009, amending Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 1090 of October 23, 1993.
Therefore, before installing daytime running lights yourself, let’s study the requirements of the legislative acts listed above.
Don't want to delve into boring articles?
Then we will briefly formulate the main points regarding the rules of installation and connection.
- Height from the road surface – from 25 cm to one and a half meters;
- The distance from the outer dimensions of the car is no more than 400 mm;
- The distance between the internal parts of the buildings is at least 60 centimeters;
- Brightness – from 400 to 800 candelas.
Operating mode – with the ignition on and the low/high beam headlights turned off, but maintaining the ability to “blink high beams”. Thus, the only correct connection option is to turn on the DRL when the key is moved to the “ignition” position and automatically turn off when the side lights are turned on.
Operation of DRLs together with BS headlights is unacceptable! Especially in the dark.
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Running lights for a car according to traffic regulations
At the same time, these devices allow you to solve a wide range of tasks at once.
The main ones include the following:
- improved visibility on the road at any time of the day - both day and night;
- reducing the likelihood of an accident;
- improving road safety;
- designation of vehicle dimensions.
The latter is especially important in the case where there is movement that does not fit into the overall dimensions. You should familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of use and installation in advance.
It is important to especially carefully understand GOSTs in accordance with which installation will have to be carried out. This process has its own subtleties, nuances and features.
Do not try to make adjustments yourself. If installation is required and there is no proper experience in this area, then it is best to contact qualified specialists.
This is the only way to prevent standard problems, as well as fines from the traffic police. Since failure to comply with the rules and GOSTs can cause serious trouble.
For example, excessively bright running lights can simply blind the driver of an oncoming car. As a result, he will simply drive into oncoming traffic and an accident will occur.
The color and direction of the light should be adjusted correctly. Often, emergencies occur precisely because of incorrectly configured equipment. You need to carefully study all the main points. This is the only way to prevent standard mistakes.
Self-installation is allowed - as in specialized services. But it is important to note that it is necessary to comply with some installation requirements. In the absence of any violations, traffic police officers will not have any claims against the driver or owner.
When installing, you must comply with GOST requirements. The main ones primarily include this:
- a certain distance of 600 mm must be maintained from the edge of the body to the device;
- in some cases, it is possible to reduce the distance to 400 mm;
- from the ground level to the elements should be in the range of 250-1500 mm;
- the forward direction is mandatory, the location must be on the front of the car body - in accordance with clause 6.19.4.3.
Compliance with these requirements can be checked directly on the road by traffic police inspectors. This point needs to be worked out in advance.
The main advantages of having such a device:
- allows you to save a lot of fuel;
- it is possible to extend the life of conventional headlights - there is no need to replace lamps in them;
- the car becomes better visible at long distances during the day - which reduces the likelihood of an accident.
It is imperative to constantly monitor changes in regulations regarding DRL in 2022.
Basic moments:
- it is not allowed to violate the integrity of the machine’s structure during installation;
- limited angle of location;
- Installation of xenon is possible only in specialized workshops.
All requirements regarding accommodation remained standard. The 2022 edition of the traffic rules does not contain any changes regarding DRLs.
Insurance companies will have an additional reason for a regressive claim against the driver for late technical inspection, as reported by a new amendment to the new traffic rules for 2021.
From this moment on, the insurer has the right to recover money from the causer of harm and costs to the car owner. This right arises when the accident occurred due to a faulty condition of the car.
New traffic rules began to be developed quite a long time ago - the first amendments were made back in 2022. It was at that time that they first started talking about a project whose goal was to make changes to the original traffic rules, since they practically did not regulate such vehicles as scooters, unicycles and electric scooters, which were becoming increasingly popular participants in the movement, and posed a real threat to attempts to regulate it .
At the end of 2022 (October), the Ministry of Transport worked out a system of adjustments for traffic rules, and also made many small but quite important amendments. When discussing innovations, such important authorities as the traffic police began to make their amendments. The Moscow government and other departments that were interested in obtaining a high-quality result of their work also took part in the discussion. It is not yet known exactly when the amendments under consideration will be implemented, but it is known that it will be 2022, presumably January.
Changes in the 2022 traffic rules concern personal mobility devices, which will have to be introduced into road traffic on a full basis. The new road user receives the name SIM. This is the name given to a device that has one or more wheels, and its movement is provided by a simple engine or muscle power. SIM can be electric scooters, hoverboards, unicycles, and Segways. And if we talk about devices that move by muscular force, these include skateboards, rollers, etc. The scope of SIM regulation does not extend to wheelchairs and bicycles, which are controlled by other measures.
Changes in traffic rules from January 1, 2021 will affect not only owners of electric scooters, roller skates, etc., but also motorists who own vehicles, therefore, while moving on the road, they must constantly adhere to the rules. The first change that will directly affect motorists is that it is forbidden to stop at traffic islands, where previously it was possible to safely park a car.
The next change that next year will bring us is the end of the “No Stopping” sign as soon as the “Parking” sign comes into view. The specifics of the operation of the “No Parking” sign are also changing. According to the new rules, its validity will end from the final point of the village or to the intersection.
All this leads to the fact that from January it will become more difficult for motorists to navigate, and they will have to learn several more new rules. In addition, the new rules will not be learned immediately, so there is a risk that due to violations regarding innovations, the number of fines will increase.
According to the new traffic rules that will be implemented in 2022, starting in January, all windows in a car can be tinted, but it is important that the front and side windows are tinted to allow at least 70% of light to pass through. The remaining windows can be tinted with any light transmittance factor.
Previously, this parameter was controlled more strictly. For example, the rear windows had to transmit at least 70% of the light, and the front 75%. These standards were introduced back in 1988.
Buses are the same members of the road traffic, but they have a higher responsibility, since this transport carries many people. According to the new rules, the bus can be accelerated to 90 km/h, as before. But there is a nuance - such acceleration is possible only if the vehicle is equipped with seat belts on all seats, and there should be no standing places. If this is not the case, the maximum speed in 2022 will be no more than 70 km/h.
There will also be restrictions on parking in residential areas, but only if there is no special parking there. Previously, the new rule under consideration applied only to freight transport, and passenger buses were not included in this list. Vehicles used to transport children must be equipped with special icons - orange beacons.
The next change in traffic rules in 2022 will concern the introduction of another sign indicating a ban on bus traffic, for ignoring which a fine will be given. The “Attention Passenger” icon will also light up on the bus. But drivers of passenger cars should pay attention to this sign. They must stop and wait while passengers get off the bus. But you can drive only after the driver turns off the sign.
How to choose DRL?
The requirements that must be taken into account when installing DRLs have already been described above.
If the running lights on your car are not installed correctly, the traffic police inspector will have the right to stop you and issue you a fine. In some situations, the vehicle may even be sent to an impound lot.
If you want your running lights to comply with traffic rules and GOST, you should pay special attention to their selection. After all, a lot will depend on what kind of road running light you decide to install on your car. The highest quality products are produced by companies such as Hella and Philips Osram. It is worth choosing them not only because they meet all the standards, but also because they can make your journey on the roads as safe as possible. There are usually no problems with the products of the brands presented above when the car is diagnosed at a service station. Homemade devices cannot meet all requirements.
Usually there are no difficulties with installing DRLs. The only thing that can cause you inconvenience is a violation of the integrity of the car’s structure. This problem is most common among drivers who bought their car before the law on the mandatory use of DRLs came into force.
If you have an old car that does not have DRLs, then you will have to collect a lot of paperwork to obtain permission to make changes to the vehicle. In addition, you will also have to put in a lot of effort to install running lights. After all, to do this you will have to create holes in the bumper and deal with the electronics.
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Changes in traffic rules from 2022: what amendments are expected
Traffic fines for 2022 will need to be paid by pedestrians who have received a new status and must learn more than one new rule. You will have to learn new rules, and pay a fine for failure to comply. What’s new is that pedestrians will have to give way to new road users, but only if they are moving along a bike path or when crossing it. You can cross the road only if there are signs for above-ground and underground pedestrian crossings. If there are no signs, the classic traffic rules apply, and not those introduced in 2022.
After the advent of SIM, the traffic rules for 2022 have changed, and new signs are used to indicate each change. Each one introduces a new ban or restriction, but allows traffic participants to figure out how to behave correctly on the road and not get a fine for breaking the rule. The signs for electric scooters and other vehicles included in the SIM category look like this. You need to remember them to avoid fines.
The vehicle technical regulations provide clear information about the definition and requirements for installing DRLs on a vehicle.
DRLs are definitely white headlights with possible shades of yellow or blue that are installed at the front of the car.
For proper installation, it is necessary to comply with GOST daytime running lights:
- installed at the front of the vehicle;
- the distance from the ground should not be less than 25 cm and not exceed a height of one and a half meters;
- they must be located at least 60 cm from each other;
- from the edge of the car body to the place where the lights are installed should not be more than 400 mm.
Based on the 2016 traffic regulations, namely clause 19.5, all cars must have DRLs or low beam lights or fog lights on while driving, both in the city and on the highway. By complying with these requirements, you can ensure safety on the road for pedestrians and motorists.
If the rules for using daytime running lights are not followed, the fine for such a violation for the driver will be 500 rubles (Article 12.20 of the 2016 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
Based on traffic regulations, it is mandatory to use DRL:
- if minor children are transported;
- by motor vehicle, as it is difficult to see from afar;
- when transporting oversized items or dangerous and explosive substances;
- on minibuses and public transport to attract special and comprehensive attention.
You can install LED running light devices yourself and without resorting to the services of auto electricians and specialists. To do this you need to follow a few simple rules. Of course, LED devices are installed as a set - two pieces. The main task during installation is to correctly connect them to the vehicle's power supply. It is necessary that they light up when the ignition is turned on and vice versa turn off when the ignition is turned off.
DRL connection diagrams
Since DRL can be mounted at your discretion, there are many connection schemes that allow you to configure the optics in the most convenient way for the driver. Let's look at the most popular of them.
Option 1 (to speed sensors)
This connection of running lights through a relay, the diagram of which is shown below, is considered one of the simplest. In this case, the DRLs will turn on depending on the operation of the speed sensor. In order to implement this scheme, it is necessary to connect contacts K1.1 to the circuit section (into the wiring break) from the low beam switch button to contact 85. In this case, you can use any relay with an opening pair, but experts recommend using a product with a TC code.
If you want the dipped lights to work while the engine is on, rather than the side lights, then the contacts must be “paralleled.”
Option 2 (to the oil sensor)
Another scheme for connecting daytime running lights via a relay uses an oil sensor. You should immediately check that it is in good working order, since if the regulator provides incorrect information about the fluid pressure, then the operation of the entire system will be disrupted.
With this installation of DRLs, the lights will turn on when the engine starts, and will be turned off by the dimensions. As optics, you can also use low beam or fog lights.
Option 3
It will be a little more difficult to connect the DRLs so that they turn on when the engine starts and turn off when it stops. In this case, the running lights will turn on together with the low beam headlights. This will require two low-power diodes (for example, 1A + KD10), which must be connected in series. After this, wires about 400 mm long are soldered to the light bulbs and connected. Don't forget that they are polar.
At the next stage:
- Dismantle and disassemble the dashboard of the car and connect the “blank” to X1 (most often the yellow wire).
- Remove the button through which the optics will be turned on.
- Plug the other end of the wire into the connector.
- Reinstall the button and check its functionality.
Option 4 (connecting running lights from the generator)
To implement such a project, you can use one of three schemes.
The first one is suitable if only the handbrake and the engine are used.
The second scheme for connecting running lights from the generator will require the use of an additional resistor, which is responsible for turning off the daylight when the side lights or headlights are activated.
The third scheme will allow you to deactivate the running lights:
- When you raise the handbrake, during the start of the internal combustion engine or during the automatic start of the engine along with the alarm.
- When the lights are turned on (in this case, it is necessary that the headlights or fog lights operate normally).
Roughly speaking, this type of connection “cancels” the automatic start of the DRL simultaneously with the ignition of the generator.
Healthy! It is this scheme that is “working” when passing the GTO.
Before connecting the running lights from the generator, it is recommended to watch the video at the end of the article. The fact is that there is more than one or two ways to activate the DRL. However, the connection will be much easier if you purchased a ready-made set of running lights.
Option 5 (connection of a ready-made kit)
In order not to rack your brains over how to install running lights on a car yourself, the easiest way is to buy a ready-made control unit to automatically turn off and turn on the DRLs. To install this module you need:
- Connect the black wire to the negative of the battery, and the red wire to the positive.
- The orange wire (if included) must be connected to the headlights or low beam. If the wire is not connected, the lights will not deactivate when the low beam or side lights are turned on.
After installing the DRL using any of the schemes described above, it is necessary to check that the installed elements are working correctly. To do this, start the engine and see if the light on the control panel is functioning, if the running lights are activated, and so on.