So many drivers today with their headlights on

[Jane Eyre]

I was amazed at how many cars on the road today had their headlights on during daylight hours. Here in North Carolina, I have only seen this sign of community mourning when NASCAR drivers met untimely deaths. It took me a while to realize that these were citizens reaching out to each other in mourning over the loss of Senator Ted Kennedy. It was very moving.

[depakid]

1. Some cars these days always have their headlights on

[Jane Eyre]

4. Not this many

There were a lot. At first, I thought it was a funeral procession.

[Spazito]

11. I certainly think you would be the one to notice the difference, living there....

so I have no doubt you are correct in your take that they were on as a show of respect for the passing of Senator Kennedy. It is a very interesting tradition and one I will remember to copy from now on.

[notadmblnd]

2. They're called daytime running lights and most cars these days have them.

[bobbolink]

6. geeeez.....

:thumbsdown:

[Contrary1]

3. I had not thought of doing that.

:thumbsup:

But, I will as I drive tomorrow, and thru Saturday. Thank you for your post.

[bobbolink]

7. Me, too. For the duration.

Thanks. :hi:

[virgogal]

5. Maybe they just stay on,like mine do,for safety reasons.

2006 Corolla----daylight running lights.

[emilyg]

19. So do mine. Camry.

[Booster]

8. Damn. Wish I had thought of that today. I, too, will have them on

now until the funeral.

[realisticphish]

9. Not to rain on this

but I drive with my headlights on at all times, and so do a lot of other people I know

[Contrary1]

12. No rain in the forecast.

I will know why my lights are on. And that's enough for me.

[realisticphish]

13. oh, sure

i think it's a great sentiment.

[Jane Eyre]

10. It's a southern thing

When race car drivers Adam Petty and Donnie Allison died, radio stations encouraged drivers to drive with their headlights on as a show of mutual mourning and respect. There were very few cars that did not participate.

It may be that one of the local radio stations encouraged drivers to do this. Perhaps an urban station, I don't know.

[Lisa0825]

17. Not just southern....

In the various states I have lived in, driving with your headlights on is typical for a funeral procession, so many people will also do so outside of a procession, when a high profile person has passed.

[CitizenPatriot]

14. thanks for posting this

I noticed this today, but I didn't know why everyone had their lights on...

[Lisa0825]

15. I noticed that when I was driving home.

Usually about 40-50% of the cars have them on, due to the daytime running lights. But today it seemed more like 80%.

FWIW, to the person who credited it all to daytime running lights, I have a 2009 Scion, and mine did not come with them. Not all new cars have them. For many models, they are options.

[graywarrior]

16. Lots here in MA, too.

[regnaD kciN]

18. I didn't even know about Kennedy's death until late afternoon...

...so it's ironic that I was making a 70-mile trip in a rental car midday, and didn't realize until the end of the trip that the lights had been on the whole way. Even the car knew!

[1]

20. almost all new cars run with their headlights on these days. you noticed today, that is nice...

but not significant in any way.

welcome to 2000...

[Maru Kitteh]

21. That's lovely. Thanks for sharing.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

22. I am on a mortocycle 99% of the time. My headlight is always on...and it flashes n/t

[malaise]

23. Lovely

Now tell them to add a bumper sticker - Liberal and proud!

[bobbolink]

24. I intended to today, but forgot until I saw so many headlights on today.

I couldn't believe how many cars had headlights on today.

I mentioned it to a couple of people, and they said, "Good idea... I'll turn mine on, too."

Thank you again for reminding us! It may be a small thing, but.... it's the thought that counts!

[mdmc]

25. i can't turn my lights off