As part of the second road safety package "Via Sicura", daytime running lights are to become mandatory on January 1, 2014. Vintage vehicles (cars and motorcycles) that were first put on the road before January 1, 1970 are (laudably) exempt, as their electrical systems are often not suitable for permanent dipped headlights. Instead of additional daytime running lights, the passing beam may be used.
Initial comments already
Thomas Kohler, President of the FSVA, has already commented positively on this change in the law:
"As part of efforts to increase road safety, various European countries have mandated daytime running lights for motor vehicles. Historic vehicles were often included, although the capacities of the historic lighting systems and power generators were not designed for this. There have been exemptions for years, such as in France and Germany.
In cooperation with the responsible authorities at FEDRO and the FIVA Legislation Commission, the FSVA has been working for a year on a solution that is now defined in Via Sicura II: Vehicles first put on the market before 1970 are exempt from the mandatory daytime running light requirement.
This is a positive decision for us. It leaves drivers free to use other means to make themselves effectively visible. Historic vehicles very rarely drive in bad weather and in heavy traffic, and the accident frequency is significantly lower than that of other road users."
We at Zwischengas are of course pleased about the special regulation for vehicles before 1970, but the question arises as to why there are more and more key/reference dates, e.g. annual exhaust emission control up to 1976, classic car statute from at least 30 years, etc. In our view, the exemption could also have been synchronized with the classic car entry age.
The consultation lasts until July 12, 2013, i.e. there is still time to make your political voice heard.
The legal text
For those interested, here is the official wording of the new article:
Art. 30 Use of lights while driving (Art. 41 SVG)
1 From the beginning of dusk until daylight, in poor visibility conditions and in tunnels, the dipped headlights must be used. For vehicles without dipped headlights, the prescribed lights must be used.
2 Otherwise, daytime running lights or dipped headlights must be used on motor vehicles and motorcycles. This does not apply to vehicles registered for the first time before January 1, 1970 and other types of vehicles.
3 Out of town, on freeways and motorways, high beam headlights may be used. These must be switched off: in good time before crossing other road users or an oncoming train alongside the road; when driving behind each other or reversing.
4 Fog lights and rear fog lights may only be used if visibility is severely restricted due to fog, driving snow or heavy rain.
5 You can switch to the parking lights when stopping for a longer period of time.
Further information can be found on the website of the federal administration.