Complex indeed. When headlights turn on automatically they might not do this in fog because it's not a bit of dark then.. If interior lights are on all the time people are unaware that there may be a need for switching on the headlights. And the little green light that shows headlights are on is not really in my mind as well, if it's off it won't make you aware at all....
Yes, the fully automatic car has yet to arrive so you still need to drive the car. Having DRLs has not changed my attitude to driving in fog. First, I try to avoid it if I can, secondly if I can't I make sure I have the appropriate lights on and thirdly I slown down to ensure that I can stop within the distance visible. We've had some fog here today, not too thick, so I had a play with the available light options on the S-Cross and found that the auto on detected the lack of ambient light very well but if in doubt I can select manually whatever I want. Technology is not the issue here, it's drivers who think that they are immortal and expect to do their normal journey in their normal time what ever the condtions - fog, ice, snow & rain are no reasons to slow down because their target speed is always the speed limit or more. Years ago someone suggested the best car safety device would be a sharp spike in the centre of the steering wheel pointing at the driver's chest - I support this approach to natural selection!
Richard
PS years ago I heard a story about 2 German drivers found unconsious at the wheels of their cars on a minor road in thick fog. The story goes that it was so thick, they had both wound down their windows and stuck their heads out to follow the white line in the centre of the road and were knocked-out when their heads met each other! True??
1.8i Mk2 Solar Red, 16 inch square spoke wheels, MGFMania hood with zip-in glass rear window, DRLs, Kmaps ECU, Pipercross panel air filter, MGOC Supersports back box & some cockpit bling