Maybe because I don't really need to have the headlights on to wash bugs & road dust from the windshield. . .

Maybe because I use Rain-X so I don't turn on the wipers when it rains but do turn on my lights . . .

Just for the record, what are the states that require this?

The United States of Europe!!

It is really a wash (no pun intended), as many states have laws requiring lights to be on when the vehicle is operating altogether.

i have wondered the same thing myself for quite a while now... i hate seeing people driving in the rain with no head lights on..

This seems ridiculous to me. Why not have the dome light go on when you use the CD? how about honking the horn when you use the cig lighter?

These are two separate functions and they don't necessarily coincide. If I'm sitting in front of the school waiting for my kid to come out, I'll need to wipe the windsheild, but turning on my lights looks stupid and will necessitate I start the engine. If I'm driving and it's raining and still bright outside, I don't want to waste the extra watts.

And for all of those that believe turning the lights on makes you easier to see, please know that dive-bombers in WWII had wing-mounted lights to HIDE them --as camouflage--against the light-sky backdrop. So it depends on what is behind you whether they make you easier to see.

I personally think DRL's have cost millions of gallons of gas with really no benefit. Wouldn't surprise me to hear that they were initiated by the oil companies.

I think cars should have a toggle switch to give users the option to automatically turn on the headlights when the wipers are activated (and the engine is running). I think most owners would use this--I would.

Cadillac has already been doing this for a number of years. As soon as the wipers are turned on, the headlights turn on automatically. This has been in effect since at least 1996 and maybe earlier.