Why Driving At Night Without Properly Working Lights Is Dangerous?

Why Driving At Night Without Properly Working Lights Is Dangerous? ?

Many individuals don’t feel confident about driving at night. It could be due to less visibility, poor weather conditions, general fatigue, and so on. But often, you might have no choice but to get behind the wheel at night.

Why shouldn’t you drive at night without properly working lights?

It is imperative that you should be able to see the road ahead with the help of your vehicle’s headlights. If your car has got projectors or LEDs, you can be sure of the visibility. In the case of older cars with halogen bulbs, you might need to get them levelled or replace the bulbs with a more powerful one. Other vehicles should be able to see you coming, and you should be able to see them as well. In case a pedestrian is crossing the road, you can swerve and turn at the appropriate moments, without compromising anyone’s safety. The tail lights should work properly as well, so other vehicles can ascertain your position and keep a safe distance. When vehicle lights malfunction, they could lead to serious accidents that can result in massive consequences.

You should also watch out for vehicles with careless owners – they could be cycles, bikes, cars or even trucks. You might have seen situations where only a single headlight on the car is working. This can be a huge threat, especially on two-lane roads.

Don’t look directly at oncoming lights

No matter how careful you might be, you can’t be sure of other people’s actions on the roads. If you spot a car which is coming towards you, try not to look it into the eyes (the headlights). When you avoid staring at the headlights, you won’t experience any glare in your eyes and can drive safely.

Know the different types of working lights to use and when

Dipped headlights

These headlights have to be used when visibility is seriously reduced, which means you can see less than 100 m in front of you.?Dipped headlights are the most commonly used headlights; brighter than sidelights, but not as bright as full beam headlights.?It is a must to turn them on at night-time and during bad weather.

Full beam headlights

Full beam headlights are the brightest type of headlight on normal vehicles.?They are angled higher, so you can see more of the road. Use full beam headlights on unlit stretches of road at night.

They are angled higher than dipped headlights, allowing you to see more of the road, and are sometimes known as high beams.?When meeting oncoming traffic (including cyclists or pedestrians), following another vehicle, or driving on left-turning bends, you must turn off full beam headlights as they can often be dazzling and may cause accidents.?

Fog lights

As is evident from the name, these lights are designed to cut through fog and mist, unlike full beam lights that are reflected by fog. They usually come in two sets, front and back, with the switches colour-coded: amber for rear fog lights and green for front fog lights. Use them only when visibility is below 100 metres.

Hazard warning lights

Your hazard lights can be seen at all corners of your car – they are the lights usually used as your indicators.?These blinking amber lights warn other drivers of danger or obstructions on the road. Please use them only if the vehicle is stationary, to warn others that you are causing a temporary obstruction. It could happen if you had an accident, are in a breakdown or forced to stop by an obstruction. You may also use your hazard lights if you are on a motorway and there is an obstruction up ahead that you need to warn other drivers about.?

Indicators

Indicators take up the same position as your hazard warning lights, visible on all corners of your car.?These lights are turned on and off down one side of your car using the indicator stalk. They also automatically turn off once you straighten your wheels after making a turn. You should use indicators to show other road users and pedestrians where you intend to turn. This includes roundabouts, pulling away, overtaking and changing lanes.?

Tail lights

Tail lights are red and found on the back of your car and turned on/off at the same time as your headlights.?FREE battery replacement

Brake lights

Brake lights are also red and are located near your tail lights. They illuminate to show other drivers that you have applied brakes and are slowing down.?Make sure they are kept clean and working at all times. A faulty brake light could get you in trouble with the law.

Always check to see if your vehicle lights are functioning as they should. If you notice anything wrong, get them fixed right away, or else you might get into big trouble on the road at night-time.