{"id":7364,"date":"2024-12-13T17:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/?p=7364"},"modified":"2024-12-13T17:39:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:39:00","slug":"types-of-car-lights-and-when-you-should-use-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/types-of-car-lights-and-when-you-should-use-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of car lights and when you should use them"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy to get in trouble with the police and even get convicted if you don\u2019t use your lights properly and keep them in good working order.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from the law, using the wrong lights at the wrong time can be dangerous – for you and for other road users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a look through these guidelines to help you stay safe and on the right side of the law:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Hazard lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Brake lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Fog lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Sidelights<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Dipped headlights<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Full beam headlights<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Tail lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Daytime running lights<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Driving lamps<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    How to use your hazard lights<\/span><\/h2>\n
    While driving:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use hazard lights while driving if you\u2019re on a motorway or dual carriage way and you need to warn other drivers that there\u2019s a hazard on the road ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    <\/div>\n
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    Don\u2019t\u00a0<\/strong>use them under any other circumstances while your car is in motion, even if it\u2019s being towed!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    While stationary:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use your hazard lights if you\u2019re stationary and causing a temporary obstruction.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t<\/strong>\u00a0think you can just stop anywhere you want so long as you put your hazards on! You can\u2019t, and using your hazards won\u2019t get you out of a fine for parking illegally.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    If you break down:<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
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    <\/div>\n
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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use your hazards to warn other traffic if you\u2019ve broken down in a dangerous place that could affect other traffic, or if you’ve broken down on the motorway and stopped on the hard shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t<\/strong>\u00a0rely on your lights to keep you safe: a lot of accidents happen on the hard shoulder so you need to stay alert and in a safe position.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How to use your brake lights<\/span><\/h2>\n

    It\u2019s not uncommon to see a car with one brake light out but as you\u2019re usually the one driving your car, it\u2019s not surprising that it can take weeks or even months before you realise that a brake light needs replacing!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Easily done, but a faulty brake light is dangerous – it\u2019s vital that the cars driving behind you can tell when you\u2019re slowing down, especially if you have to stop suddenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0ask someone to help you check your brake lights are working by standing behind your car while you apply the brakes. You should do this once a week.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0replace a faulty bulb straight away. If you don\u2019t feel confident fitting the new bulb yourself, your local Halfords will do it for a small fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t get caught out<\/strong>. If you\u2019re stopped by the police and a brake lights is not working, you may get a verbal warning. However, you could get a summon to appear in a traffic court.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How to use your fog lights<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Driving in fog can be pretty scary, especially the first time you do it. Visibility is limited, so it\u2019s very important that you know how and when to use your fog lights.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some cars have rear fog light, though many cars come with front fog lights.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \"fog<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use your fog lights if you\u2019re driving in fog. It\u2019s not a legal requirement but it will help you stay safe by making it easier for other drivers to see you.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t<\/strong>\u00a0use your fog lights when visibility is good. Other drivers can easily be dazzled, especially at night.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t get caught out<\/strong>. It is illegal to drive with your fog lights on in clear weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How to use your sidelights<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Sidelights are the small, white lights on the front corners of the car. When these are on, the rear tail lights and number plate are also illuminated.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Although you won\u2019t actually get much benefit to your visibility by using your sidelights, they do still serve an important purpose: backup.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use your sidelights if one of your headlights blows – it\u2019ll let other road users know you\u2019re a car rather than a motorbike, by showing your width with 2 lights.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use the sidelights when visibility is reduced but not to the point of needing headlights.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong> use your sidelights if you have to park at night on the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    How to use dipped headlights<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Dipped headlights give you much better visibility at night than your sidelights, and make you more visible while minimising the glare to other drivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Dipped headlights do a better job at lighting up the road ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \"dipped<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use your dipped headlights if you\u2019re driving at night. This isn’t only to help you see – it means other drivers can see YOU.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong> use your dipped headlights in the daytime if visibility is reduced – like in fog or heavy rain.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0use dipped headlights if you are overtaking. When you’re level with the other vehicle, you can switch to full beams if you need to.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Do<\/strong>\u00a0check your bulbs regularly and replace them straight away if one stops working – it\u2019s cheap and quick to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Don\u2019t get caught out<\/strong>. If you get stopped by the police with only one headlight working, you could get:<\/span><\/p>\n