The new Jazz, I had on loan, had the lights set for automatic, and I was surprised to find they came on as I passed though an avenue of trees even though it was a bright sunny day. As if the "change" of light has an effect, not just the level of light.
Regarding DRL, I think lots of drivers just assume they are adequate in low visibility. What troubles me is the number of cars you come upon, in town, after dark, with no tail lights on. You then find they have their DRLs on and their instruments are lit up. They think they have their lights on. Maybe they have automatic lights and have inadvertently disabled them, or they have just not come on.
What is wrong with just switching your lights on manually. As motorists have done for 100 years. And switching your wipers on when it rains. As we have been doing for 114 years.