BERN, SWITZERLAND – Swiss drivers have quickly embraced the law that went into effect in January 2014, requiring cars to have their lights on during the day. A study by BPA, the Swiss Accident Prevention Council, shows that Swiss Germans are a bit better about respecting the law, 94 percent, than French-speaking Swiss drivers, 90 percent, or drivers in Ticino, 89 percent.

Nevertheless, with an overall rate of 94 percent in less than a year, the new law has had far greater success than the requirement to use seatbelts, which took 33 years to reach the same level of use.

The organization argues that while lights during daytime are most useful in cities, where they help other drivers and pedestrians, and where the contrast is the most marked, drivers tend to use their less often in urban areas – 92 percent compared to 95 percent of the time on autoroutes.

All cars sold in Switzerland starting in 2012 have been required to have lights that come on automatically when the engine is started. The headlights only work on the front of the car, however, so in foggy weather or situations with poor visibility, you’re obliged to also turn on your fog lights.