David Hansen wrote:
A while ago I mentioned that the EU were trying to make things even
more dangerous for cyclists by introducing these things. I contacted
my MEP, who has discovered that this idea is being pushed by parts
of the UN, no doubt the same sort of people who are pushing bike
helmets.

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/un_collaboration/unrs2_appendices.pdf
is something which mentions both things. However, the UN is so
inpenetrable that it is difficult to know what is going on and then
lobby about it.

I suggest others take this up with their MEP.

Here is most of the reply I got from my MEP.

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This is an idea which is soon likely to be given approval not by the
European Union, but by the United Nations. In anticipation of this
the European Union has started its own research as to how the idea
could be taken on board in the EU. The European Commission has done
this by launching a consultation with all groups involved in road
transport.

The consultation is still on going. The Department for Transport has
taken part in this and made it clear the UK is opposed to the idea.

For my part I am against DRLs for many reasons. Firstly, making cars
run with headlights on will increase fuel consumption. This makes no
sense at a time when we should be seriously trying to combat climate
change. It will also increase costs for motorists.

Daytime running lights on cars will also distract attention from
vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorbikes and pedestrians
putting them at greater risk. This would compromise road safety
rather than improve it.

Finally, it makes no sense to have an EU law which would require
drivers in Cyprus to drive with head lights on in the same way as a
driver in Sweden for example.

It is not yet guaranteed that this consultation will result in an EU
law. However, I will continue to raise objections to this idea in
European Parliament discussions on road safety.

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Some feedback on your arguments against DRLs.

1. Increased fuel consumption: the amount of power required for DRLs,
as compared to the power required to move the car, is very small.
Simply changing a few driving habits would easily save more fuel than
DRLs would consume.

2. Distracting attention from other road users: motorcycles and
bicycles can have DRLs too. Having driven amongst cars with DRLs, I
don't find them particularly distracting unless the lights are misaligned.

3. Cyprus v Sweden: This may have some merit (I suspect that Cyprus is
probably brighter during the day, on average, than is Sweden. However,
while Cypriots might not benefit as much as would Swedes, having a
common set of rules EU-wide simplifies life for everyone (no more "Oh
dear, what are the local rules?").