DRL or Daytime-Running-Lights are a safety precaution. For a car equipped with these, the low beam lamps turn on - as soon as u release the parking break. They burn at 40% of their peak capacity. They turn off as soon as u've put the gear lever in Park (for automatics) and turn off the ignition switch.
For on coming traffic - with the sun behind u, it is hard for them to see u. With DRLs there is a better probability of them making u out. Also, there is a thing called a "blind spot" and if ur car happens to be in someone else's blind spot he can't make u out but ur lights can be reflected in their rear view mirror. Also, motorcycles are equiped with this functionality but their headlight burn at the full rate. The reason is that the front profile of a bike is so small that it can easily be out-of-vision if they r coming from front or following behind u. Again there is a better probability of some one spotting them in their rear view mirror or making them out if they r approaching from the front.
I wonder why no one in Pakistan raises this issue to the manufacturers or at some other platform or start demanding it outright from the dealers. (atleast put out a demand for safety features). Its a safety issue and should be made standard on all cars. It is NOT THE SAME as turning ur head-light on. The amount of energy required is much less with DRLs and since this system is functioning all the time the car is running, a seperate dediceted cirucit is often employed for this.
I have also, always wondered why "Bumpers" are not included as standard or even optional equipment on our cars in Pakistan. What they put on is just the regular bumper cover and we're happy with it! Its imperative that every car should have a front and rear bumper installed. It not only saves costly repairs for minor fender-benders but also saves lives and limbs of pedestrians! (I got two made for my Civic, front and rear, and installed them - at a local shop - for a cost of Rs 1,200 - way back in 1998).
I've not seen the latest offerings in Pakistan, but if you guys view the front 2/3rds of any modern car and its engine compartment, u'll notice that most of the designers have gone for softer edges or round edges. Not only is this aerodynamically more efficient - this design paradigm is also responsible for saving lives/limbs of pedestrians. Has anyone thought about why manufacturers have started putting plastic-covers on top of the car's engines? Would you believe it is a safety issue as well !!! Consider the fact that if a pedestrian is hit (by a car not having an engine cover), the bonnett will bend down and the pedestrian can be hurt from the engine components - which WILL protrude through the bonnect if enough force (like the speed of the car hitting the pedestrian) is applied to it.
Please everyone, when u drive, be careful not only for ur safety but also for the safety of every road user and ALWAYS Buckle up when u drive.