Why can't cars be equipped with a system that when visibility is so bad the fog, if appropriate, lights

[a kennedy]

come on along with headlights AND taillights!!!!!! Ugh we’ve had horrible fog for quite a few days and there are cars WITH. NO LIGHTS ON, not even the running lights!!!! 🤬 🤬 🤬 Wouldn’t ya think cars should be able to do that??

[Glorfindel]

1. Yes, and save drivers from the unendurable inconvenience

of having to flip a switch or press a button.

[a kennedy]

8. But they don't so yes, I'd like it to be automatic. Way to many accidents because drivers DO NOT HAVE

ANY LIGHTS ON, ESPECIALLY TAILLIGHTS. JMHO.

[Glorfindel]

11. You're absolutely right, of course.

Due to failing eyesight, I can no longer drive, but I do remember being annoyed at cars with no lights on.

[marble falls]

2. The problem starts when those cars lit up stop and pull over and cars behind them run up on them thinking ...

... they're traveling. This type of accident was very common on 10 between Phoenix and Tucson in dust storms.

[Ocelot II]

3. That would require a fairly complicated (and expensive) system of sensors.

Most newer cars can be set so the lights come on automatically when the car is started (mine will do that and it's 15 years old). Technology can't always save people from stupidity.

[Voltaire2]

4. A lot of cars have automatic headlights. nt.

[a kennedy]

6. Correct but the taillights DON'T....you have to physically turn on the lights to get the taillights to come on.

[Voltaire2]

10. you might want to do more research.

Many automatic headlight systems include the taillights.

[a kennedy]

12. I have been checking, and see headlights on, no taillights tho.

You physically have to turn the headlight switch on to get the taillights to turn on. What other research would you like me to try?? Thanks.

[a kennedy]

14. and I did find this......

FAQs: Do tail lights come on with automatic headlights?

Do tail lights activate when I use automatic headlights?

Yes, tail lights, the red lights at the rear of your vehicle, activate simultaneously with your headlights. This synchronization occurs whether you switch on the headlights manually or if they are set to operate automatically.

Are tail lights supposed to be on when the headlights are on?

When you activate the headlights, your vehicle’s tail lights should automatically turn on. Note, however, that while tail lights illuminate with the headlights, brake lights only activate when you press the brake pedal. Sometimes, brake lights may function even if the tail lights do not.

Is the headlight switch responsible for controlling the tail lights?

Indeed, the headlight switch controls the tail lights. However, remember that a separate fuse could also be specifically for the tail lights.

Do tail lights illuminate when daytime running lights are on?

No, tail lights do not turn on when daytime running lights (DRLs) are active. DRLs are designed to be less bright than headlights and are not intended for nighttime use. Typically, tail lights only activate when the headlights are on.

https://autotechgurus.com/do-tail-lights-come-on-with-automatic-headlights/

[MichMan]

16. All the cars I have bought in the last 20 years have had automatic headlights and tailights

What do you drive?

[a kennedy]

17. My car is a 2018 Honda CRV.......

and I physically have to turn on the headlights to get the taillights to come on.

[MichMan]

19. I googled this as being the switch for a 2018 Honda CR-V

The position marked "AUTO" would turn on both the headlights and taillights automatically. There are sensors that determine when they are turned on based on the outside ambient light level. You just leave it there on "AUTO" all the time and it is not necessary to turn it off when you shut off the car.

[a kennedy]

22. I actually prefer me doing the turning on......but thank you for this info.

[MichMan]

23. I give up

You posted asking about why automatic lights (front and rear) aren't on any cars. Then after multiple people post that indeed they are common on the cars they own, you reply that you wish yours did that.

I go to the trouble to research your specific car, explain that you already have that feature, and how it works. After all of that, you say that you would rather just turn them on manually anyway. Thanks for wasting my time.

[a kennedy]

25. Yikes.....so sorry I wasted your precious time.

Was just pissed stupid people don’t have lights on in dangerous weather conditions. With your contribution i now know cars are equipped with the option to use safety lights, and just don’t, so again thank you.

[a kennedy]

26. Me again.....checked my light switch and it doesn't have that auto position. My car is probably the low

end of the “extras” model. So I do have to physically turn on my headlights. Happy Friday.

[MichMan]

27. Since you said you wouldn't use the automatic feature anyway, I guess it is a moot point

[Scrivener7]

5. All the automatic shit makes drivers less careful and less attentive.

[a kennedy]

7. I think it's worse when the stupid people DO NOT TURN ON THEIR LIGHTS in inclement weather.

[rurallib]

9. May be true, but it does get the lights. turned on for the safety of others

there are a lot of drivers who are inattentive no matter what someone does

[rickford66]

13. If a vehicle is moving, all lights should be on. It should be a law in every state and territory.

[tulipsandroses]

15. I keep my light settings set to automatic. Headlights and Tail lights automatically come on. I never manually have to

turn them on or off.
I think many newer cars have that capability.
I had a rental recently that also automatically adjusted the lights depending on how dark it was. I loved that. Georgia has many dark roads with no street lights. It brightened on those dark roads, then went back to normal lighting when there was more light on other roads.
It would be nice if that was a standard feature.

[a kennedy]

18. Shoot, I don't have that, and would love it too.

Yes, yes, make it a standard feature.

[JoseBalow]

20. My old Chevy Blazer had Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Basically, the headlights were automatically always on whenever driving, and could not be turned off. Not the tail lights though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp

[Emile]

21. White colored vehicles, in a blinding snowstorm

with no headlights on is one that really pisses me off.

People have no common sense!

[jmowreader]

24. My 2020 VW Tiguan has an "auto" setting on the headlight switch

It has sensors that, when it sees that it's getting beyond a factory-specified "dark," automatically turns the headlights to full brightness and also starts the taillights. But if you want foglights you have to pull the knob toward you to get them to come on. I just leave the switch in Auto, it works fine.

[LogDog75]

28. Too many stupid people lacking basic driving skills

I'm an old guy (74) and my 2007 CR-V doesn't have automatic lights so I have to manually turn them on. I have no problem with this because I tend to be safety minded in what I do. Last night, I was crossing the San Diego - Coronado Bridge going into Coronado in dense fog and the speed limit is 50 mph. Visibility about 200 feet and there were cars doing 60 mph or better. Granted, it was dark and they had their lights on but speeding in fog is an invitation to an accident.

As big as a problem as driving in fog without lights is drivers driving without lights just after sunset. It's hard to merge onto or off a highway when it's dark and there are cars without their lights on.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Dring In Fog

My worst case:
We had a customer with a major quality issue. After investigating it, I found it was our fault, but...
The specs didn't include anything that would have caused this. So, I had to tell them "Yes, our fault. But, you can't make a clain." Nice, huh?
Refused to do just that. So I had a formulation chemist work to fix the problem product & an analytical chemist to come up with a test to prevent recurrence.
Anyway, I can avoid airports & just drive the 4 hours to St. Louis. Meeting is at 10, but for some reason, I left the house at 4.
Get 2 miles south of the interstate when , wham, dense fog! As in, I couldn't see the end of my car hood.
Now, I'm going to be late. But, the 2 chemists & sales rep were flying in and planes were grounded.
So, I get there after 8½ hours.
At 4, I leave and realize I couldn't see the Arch when I got there. But, sun is out so will be better.
I get 30 miles north of StL and, wham, the fog was back. 16 hours in the car for a 3 hour meeting.
I had to pry my fingers off the steering wheel when I finally got home.