GM's Got Award Winning Lights

03/20/96

The united Press International reported that the American Optometric Association (AOA) gave GM their annual Apollo Award for the daytime running lights that they now put on cars. The AOA represents three-quarters of all the optometrists in the nation (31,000 of them), and the Apollo Award is the association's highest honor. The award is given to recognize the efforts of those outside of optometry who improve the visual welfare of others.

GM's daytime running lights have been recognized as a tested way of decreasing motor vehicle accidents and for saving lives through increased visibility. GM is the first american car maker to include them as part of the standard equipment on new car models. GM began installing the lights in 1995, this year about two-thirds of GM vehicles have them, and by 1997 all GM vehicles will come equipped with them.

Daytime running lights have proven their effectiveness abroad. Canada has required the use of the special lights since 1990 and attributes an 8-30% reduction in front and side crashes to them. Finland and Sweden have required the lights since the 70s and claim reductions of multi-vehicle daytime crashes of 37 and 23 percent respectively. Norway began requiring the lights in 1985 and reports a 40 percent drop in daytime accidents.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel