When to Use Vehicle Lights
The end of Daylight Saving Time marks a major shift, with the earlier sunset leaving many drivers in the dark for their evening commute. Winter weather can decrease visibility as well, making this season the perfect time to review proper vehicle headlight use.
Here at Ross Moore Law, our car accident lawyers are committed to locals’ safety – especially on the road! With extensive experience handling auto accident cases, our trusted team has provided these helpful details. Read on to learn more, then contact our Atlanta personal injury law firm to schedule your free consultation!
Different Types of Car Lights
Before reviewing the right times to use your vehicle’s lights, it’s important to understand the different types.
- Daylight running lights: Designed to increase visibility during the day, these lights can be found at the front and rear of your vehicle. Starting the engine automatically turns them on.
- Low beam headlights: These lights provide enough illumination to drive at night, without distracting or blinding other drivers.
- Full beam or high beam headlights: Because they cause a significant amount of glare, these brighter headlights should only be used when it is difficult to see – and when there is no oncoming traffic.
- Fog lights: With a flat and wide beam, fog lights help drivers see the road ahead in foggy or snowy conditions. They are positioned low on the vehicle’s front.
- Taillights: These automatically turn on when headlights do, making your vehicle more visible to drivers behind you.
- Turn signals or indicators: These lights, located at the front and back of the vehicle, alert other drivers to your impending turn.
- Brake lights: These aptly named lights engage when you hit the brake, indicating to surrounding drivers that you are stopping or slowing down.
- Hazard lights: Used much less frequently, hazard lights flash to indicate distress.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time ended in November, forcing many Americans to adjust their schedules as we turned the clocks back one hour. This brightened morning commutes and darkened evening ones, while also impacting sleep schedules. And because 50% of car accidents occur in the dark, drivers face a higher risk due to more time spent driving at night, according to AAA.
Car Lights Are Highly Important During Certain Conditions
Your car’s lights play a significant role in reducing the risk of accidents – but only if they are used properly. Be sure to turn on your low beam headlights not only when the daylight begins to fade, but when it is raining or overcast. High beam use is discouraged in these situations, however, because it may blind other drivers, or in some weather situations (fog, heavy rain, etc.), make it more difficult to see. Keep in mind that your vehicle’s lights not only allow you to see the road ahead but make you more visible to other drivers.
Contact Ross Moore Law Today!
Learning when to use the appropriate vehicle lights is essential, and while it may seem simple, employing the practices detailed above can go a long way in staying safe on the road. But if an accident occurs, Ross Moore Law is just a phone call away.
Looking for a local personal injury attorney to handle your case? Attorney Ross Moore and his team of car accident lawyers are eager to get started, providing legal advice you can count on each step of the way. Call us today or book a free consultation online!
Conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta, GA, our personal injury law firm is proud to serve clients throughout the surrounding areas of Athens, Alpharetta, Peach Tree, Marietta and more. In addition to Georgia clients, we welcome Tennessee clients too. Get in touch today!
Attorney Ross Moore and our personal injury team handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including:
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