What Car? Q&A - Do LED lights make any difference?

Q: I'm thinking about buying an Audi A8, and have noticed that recent updates include LED tail lights. Do these just look a bit flashier, or do they have a function?
Paul Sowry

A: LEDs have a number of advantages over traditional lights.

On the safety front, they illuminate objects much faster than conventional bulbs - this gives the driver behind more time to react and avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

They glow more brightly, too, which makes them more visible in foggy conditions.

LED lights also use less power than regular bulbs, and are much more robust, so they'll need replacing less often.