The clocks have gone back, and the dark nights are drawing near.
So now is as good a time as any to double-check your lights’ functionality while also brushing up on the rules and regulations governing vehicle lighting.
Car headlights, Headlights, sidelights, and registration plate lights, as well as windscreens and other windows, are all covered here.
Lights – daytime rules
You may believe that lights should only be used at night, yet there are times when they should be used throughout the day. Some good Daytime running lights aid in effortless driving.
When you apply the foot brake, the brake lights should illuminate, but not continuously in stationary traffic queues, as this produces excessive glare for drivers behind you. When visibility is severely decreased during the day, headlights and fog lights should be utilized — but they must be turned off when visibility improves to avoid blinding other road users. To ensure visibility in poor weather, turn on your dipped headlights. Even if it appears that it is still light enough to get by without them, all sidelights and rear registration plate lights must be on between sunset and daybreak.
Since 2011, all new automobiles have been required by EU regulations to include daytime running lights that turn on automatically when the engine is started and turn off automatically when the headlights or sidelights are turned on (these still need to be used as outlined above). Your daytime running lights only apply to your headlights; your rear lights will not turn on automatically, so remember to turn them on as soon as it becomes dark.
Lights – nighttime rules
When it comes to lighting your path as a nighttime driver, the objective is to have enough light to see clearly where you’re going and to be visible without blinding other road users. To that purpose, you must always use your headlights at night (half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise), but they must be dipped in built-up areas or when you are behind or approaching other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or horse riders.
When overtaking, for example, maintain your headlights dipped until you’re level with the other car, then switch to the main beam if necessary, unless doing so might dazzle oncoming traffic.
Meanwhile, if you’re being blinded by bright headlights, you should slow down or, if necessary, halt, and only proceed after you can see the road ahead clearly.
While it’s permissible to only use your sidelights at night if you’re traveling under 30 mph in a well-lit area, most drivers prefer to utilize dipped headlights for enhanced visibility.
When do you use high beam lights?
The goal of high beam headlights is to give the driver a clear view in situations where there is no immediate source of light and traffic is scarce. If a vehicle is within 200 meters of your range, you should use low beam headlights to maintain a safe distance.
When the car is approaching from the opposite side or is directly in front of you, this is the case. Direct exposure to light or glare in the rearview mirror can blind the other person (for a few seconds) in each of these circumstances.
The effects of this momentary blindness, especially when driving at a high speed, can be devastating. Though high beam headlights are most dangerous at night, they are also dangerous in fog and rain.
Do you use high beam lights in the fog?
Fog slows down a significant portion of traffic, whether it’s on the railways or on the roads. Fog and rain make navigation difficult. To ensure visibility in fog and rain, some people utilize high beam headlights. This should not be done because high beams create intense light that is reflected by water droplets in the fog (or rain), creating a harsh glare. This glare is intense enough to dazzle other divers, which can have unfavorable consequences. The same principle applies in the event of snow and rain. There are endless options of led fog lights for cars, that can help your visibility in case of foggy rides.
Are there any Penalties for the foul usage of High beam lights?
The answer is unavoidable “yes.” According to CMV (Central Motor Vehicles) rule number 106, headlights must be constructed in such a way that they are,
It is permanently deflected downwards to the point that it is incapable of dazzling anyone.
a) At an 8-meter distance from the lamp’s front,
b) At a distance of 0.5 meters from the right edge of the light to the right side of the lamp, i.e., installed at the vehicle’s right extreme, and
c) At a height of 1.5 meters above the vehicle’s supporting plane
As the owner of the car, it is your responsibility to double-check these specs.
The CMV laws protect road safety, but employing a high beam (in instances where it is not essential) might result in a fine of INR 100, according to MVA sections 112 and 177. (Motor Vehicles Act). There may also be a fine (up to INR 300) as a result of the violation.
Car lights and headlights should be based on the situation. LED Headlights are excellent for a seamless driving experience. It’s always a good idea to invest in good car lights accessories for your own safety and others.