10/03/2023
The lat few days has yet again shown that far too many people don’t appear to know when to use the lights on their cars and other vehicles.
So, let’s jus have a quick overview.
Side Lights
In my opinion, Side lights should never be used when you are in your vehicle and moving. If you feel the conditions require any form of lighting, side lights aren’t the answer. Side lights are used for adding some illumination to your car when parked, sometimes by using the indicator to switch on the side lights on just one side of the car.
These lights do not show up as much as headlights and should not therefore be used when you are driving.
Daytime Running Lights
As the name suggests, these are lights that show during the daytime. They have long been a feature of Scandinavian cars, but are very common on most cars made since around 2009. These lights are usually only at the front of the car.
Headlights
These should be used when conditions reduce visibility. This could be reduced light in the early evening or at night, or reduced visibility due to rain or other weather conditions, such as snow. It is important, when choosing to switch on the headlights, to ensure that you have done this correctly an haven’t just switched on the side lights. In addition, full or high beam should only be used when there is no other traffic that you could dazzle.
Fog Lights
With fog lights, the clue is in the name. They should be used when fog reduces visibility to less than 100 meters (328 feet). This is roughly the length of a football or rugby pitch. Fog lights should only be used in those conditions and it is an offence to use them at any other times. It is therefore important to switch them off again as soon as the conditions improve.
Fog lights should not be used in rain, or snow. Sadly, I’ve seen them used in such conditions far too frequently. In the rain or snow, fog lights are illegal and dazzling.
They can also frequently make it more difficult for other drivers to see brake lights when they are illuminated, increasing the chances of accidents.
Automatic Lights
In the last 10-15 years, most cars have been supplied with a feature that automatically switches on the vehicle’s headlights when it gets dark at night, and turns them off again when it gets lighter. In many cases they will also automatically switch on the high beam and switch it back off again when another vehicle is noted.
These systems do not automatically switch on fog lights, or switch them back off again.
It is important that drivers do not rely on these automated systems. They will turn on the lights when it gets dark, but some don’t really do it soon enough. Moreover, they frequently don’t turn the lights on when rain or other weather conditions reduce visibility. The driver is responsible for ensuring they have their lights on when it is necessary.
Please use the right lights for the conditions when you are driving. See, and importantly, be seen.
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