I was recently on a trip in the US and both my wife and I were amazed at the difference it made to drive in an area where the daytime running lights were not used. I am Canadian and we have had these as law since 1990 (I belive). I was researching how to update my American 300D to be equiped with these and found myself surprised by the negative comments directed towards the use of these. I have heard concerns that they blind people during the day ( well they must be terrible at night then), that it is a case of Big Brother telling you what to do, and that it is an implication that individuals can not handle the responsibility of driving.
My thoughts, This is just another tool to assist drivers in having a safer enviroment, no different then seatbelts, ABS, Air Bags, Structural impact cages, safety glass, break-away steering columns, and numerous other features that have been on cars for years. DTRL's to not impair vision, they enhance it. I viewed a study where they compared the use of them to non-use and it was immediately obvious that the car with the lights was visable much earlier then the other car. The fact is not only do they help you see others sooner, they also help "the other car" see you sooner. Remember the other car that runs the stop sign, turns unsafely, passes recklessly, ect.. ect... My point is try to keep an open mind on this topic and maybe you will have an opportunity to drive in a country that mandates the use of DTRL's and who knows you may actually like them, as for me I won't drive without them. I'll be seeing you (I hope!), I know you will see me.