Transport Minister Stolpe calls for driving with light on the day starting from October Wednesday 14 September 2005, 09:37 Berlin (ddp). Federal Transport Minister Manfred Stolpe (SPD) has asked all drivers to turn on the light on journeys on the day as from 1 October. To increase traffic safety, as in the neighbouring countries France and Austria, a voluntary regulation should first apply for a transitional period, he explained on Wednesday in Berlin. In order to avoid any competitive disadvantage for the German car industry, there should be an EU-wide regulation, said Stolpe. He wanted to take an initiative on this. Until the equipment of all new vehicles with this technology could be equipped, the Minister admitted. In the first place, drivers voluntarily contribute to greater safety. Driving with light on the day could prevent a large number of road accidents, since a car with light could be detected faster, Stolpe pointed out the results of a study by the Federal Road Safety Agency (BASt). He hoped “according to good Scandinavian experience” in particular that traffic deaths would decrease. The Minister continued to say that these had a weaker luminosity than conventional dipped-beam. A new “signal image” for motorcyclists should also be developed, so that they can be better perceived in road traffic, the Minister said about corresponding objections from some automotive experts and especially from bikers against a general duty to drive with light on the day. P.S.: I think it’s good.. was also time!