My roommate's name when I was in university, was Kevin. Kevin was dumb as shit. He was taking commerce or something in college, and I'm sure he was "book smart", but when it came to common sense, Kevin was one dumb motherf**ker. There were a couple of times when his car wouldn't start, which required me to bring my car around to him to provide him a boost. I was none too bothered to extend such a favour, presuming that he'd reciprocate sometime down the line. One brisk winter evening, I went to my car to leave for an errand, and the car would not start. I needed a boost and never hesitated to call in a favour. Kevin abruptly denied me the favour, stating he did not wish chancing damage to the computer on his car. If there was a computer to be damaged, it likely would have already done so during the half dozen boosts I gave him. Besides, his car was so old, that I doubt there was a computer in it. It was on this day, that my great dislike for the French, was born.
I've known a few French people in my distinguished life, most of which are smart folks. French-by-name-only, is how I refer to those people. Kevin was French through-and-through. One of those French people who would swear in French, when they'd lose their temper. He never lost his temper very often, likely due to his being so dense in the head.
I remember one time, he got me into his little red car and was showing me the headlights. He was so enthusiastic and enthralled with the mystery bestowed upon him. "Look!" he said, excitedly, turning the ignition key. "My headlights come on automatically." I was quite unimpressed, as daytime running lights were a dime a dozen. Most modern cars, from that era of automobile, came with DRL as standard equipment.
Then Kevin switched on his headlamp button. "Now, they're bright." I nodded, muttering, "Bright-er." Then he flicked the headlamp lever on his steering column, "And now they're brighter bright! My car has two brights." I was speechless, sitting quietly trying to comprehend if Kevin was being facetious or if he was, in fact, that f*cking stupid! The jury is still out on that, I'm afraid.
However, in the years since then, I don't believe the theory of brighter-bright lights was reserved to Kevin, exclusively. I have, on more than one occasion, nearly struck cars and trucks from behind on roads shrouded in total darkness, all because they were operating their vehicles with their daytime running lights only, which does not engage the tail lights of the vehicle. Being stupid in this manner, is one thing when operating within the city limits. It's dangerous, still, but at least there are street lamps raining down streams of light, so everyone can see you, but in the middle of nowhere, you're gambling with, not just your life, but those of your passengers and anyone else, sharing the road with you.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) is actually your bright light setting, only it's operating at a fraction of it's full capacity, 60%, if I'm not mistaken, which is still less bright than you headlamps at full capacity. DRL are meant to boost you visibility on open road. I recall, the campaign when I was just a toddler. "Lights On For Life" was the phrasing, suggesting that anyone and everyone turn on their headlamps for daytime driving. Many balked at the premise, but soon whistled another tune when it was proven to reduce daytime incidents. This was a logic lost on the Americans, however.
Standard daytime running lights were available, I believe, in Canada before they were in the U.S. I remember the American commercials when DRL did eventually become the norm there. "Excuse me. Your headlights are on." people would snicker in the commercials of the day, before a brief tutorial would follow. Not surprising that safety would come to the Yanks so late in life. They've only began a "Click-It-Or-Ticket" campaign, enforcing seat belt use.
Duh!! Seat belts save lives...
The biggest loss to our culture due to DRL, though, is not our common sense, but the beauty of the drive-in theater. I used to go to the drive-in all the time. I especially enjoyed the early spring or late autumn showings. There weren't a lot of people going and it was cool enough outside that I could leave some cans of soda outside and they'd stay nicely chilled. It being so chilly out, though, that it was necessary for people to start up their vehicles to defrost foggy windshields or just heat up the cabin of their car. With daytime running lights, as soon as the engine came on, so did the headlights. Granted, engaging the emergency brake, would disengage the running lamps, but this was an inconsistent option on vehicles and manufacturers. Not to mention that not many people knew that fact. Hell, if they can't figure out that their cars didn't possess brighter-brights, how could they figure out the emergency brake.?
Daytime Running Lights save lives, but unfortunately a lot of the lives saved are for dumb-f*ck's like Kevin. The brighter-brights are on, but nobody's home.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) is actually your bright light setting, only it's operating at a fraction of it's full capacity, 60%, if I'm not mistaken, which is still less bright than you headlamps at full capacity. DRL are meant to boost you visibility on open road. I recall, the campaign when I was just a toddler. "Lights On For Life" was the phrasing, suggesting that anyone and everyone turn on their headlamps for daytime driving. Many balked at the premise, but soon whistled another tune when it was proven to reduce daytime incidents. This was a logic lost on the Americans, however.
Standard daytime running lights were available, I believe, in Canada before they were in the U.S. I remember the American commercials when DRL did eventually become the norm there. "Excuse me. Your headlights are on." people would snicker in the commercials of the day, before a brief tutorial would follow. Not surprising that safety would come to the Yanks so late in life. They've only began a "Click-It-Or-Ticket" campaign, enforcing seat belt use.
Duh!! Seat belts save lives...
The biggest loss to our culture due to DRL, though, is not our common sense, but the beauty of the drive-in theater. I used to go to the drive-in all the time. I especially enjoyed the early spring or late autumn showings. There weren't a lot of people going and it was cool enough outside that I could leave some cans of soda outside and they'd stay nicely chilled. It being so chilly out, though, that it was necessary for people to start up their vehicles to defrost foggy windshields or just heat up the cabin of their car. With daytime running lights, as soon as the engine came on, so did the headlights. Granted, engaging the emergency brake, would disengage the running lamps, but this was an inconsistent option on vehicles and manufacturers. Not to mention that not many people knew that fact. Hell, if they can't figure out that their cars didn't possess brighter-brights, how could they figure out the emergency brake.?
Daytime Running Lights save lives, but unfortunately a lot of the lives saved are for dumb-f*ck's like Kevin. The brighter-brights are on, but nobody's home.
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