29 October 2002: Mayo County Council has instituted a 'lights on in daytime ' initiative throughout the county, following similar programmes by Dublin and Donegal County Councils. The campaign will run until the clocks change again in Spring 2003.

The Mayo scheme, which relies on voluntary motorist participation, is backed by the Western Health Board and the Garda Siochana.

Daylight Running Light (DLR) studies in Scandanavian and North American countries have shown that they make it easier to see cars in low-light situations especially oncoming vehicles.

It is also easier to spot cars in glare, shade, and dusk etc. with lights on, and are particularly important when the car is a dark colour.

By far the biggest evidence from research carried out to date is that driving with dipped lights during daytime is of significant in reducing multi-party accidents.