I am fortunately not reporting on a failure per SE or an accident, I am reporting a potentially deadly flaw in the lighting system of many new vehicles (like for instance my 2008 Honda Fit). The problem is that anytime the car is started the instrument panel is totally lighted up and stays that way not matter what the actual visibility is. As a consequence it is quite easy to forget to turn on the head lights even at night when leaving a brightly lighted place (like a gas station). This has happened to me a few times: I would tank the car, start the engine, see the lighted instrument panel and drive off into a dark street. Of course you realize after a few seconds that you have no headlights but those 2-3 seconds could be fatal, the only indicator that the head lights are on is a small green icon that it is easily not noticed among the lighted panel. The situation is also dangerous at dusk when the lighted panel again gives the impression that the headlights are on. A few days ago I passed a car driven on a nearby interstate by a woman who had not headlights on and was driving in a situation of advanced darkness; as I passed her car I noticed the glow of her lighted instrument panel. Since one's eyes easily adjust to darkness it is very easy not to notice the problem. I hope nobody has been already victimized by this not so intelligent system.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA