re: "...I remember in the early 60's when people put small lights in the grills of American cars. They weren't called running lights back in those days, but they were on whenever then car was on. They were a great help, there were more 2 lane roads back then and visibility was paramount...."

Thinking back, I do remember those lights! Folks put them on their grille, usually just one white light, right in the middle. I think we did call them "running lights", and they were more popular in rural areas, obviously for the reasons you pointed out. I grew up in the city, but I worked some summers in resort hotels in the mountains, and I saw more than a few cars and trucks with them up there.

I guess that's where the idea of DRLs started, even before they were "studied" by government, insurance and car companies.