Things you must be aware about your car headlights and their usage

Good, all-round lighting is crucial to facilitate safe driving and this is more so for the winter months. It is important that you keep looking for those blown bulbs and failed headlights in your vehicle at short and routine intervals.

Lights during day time

If you think the headlights of your vehicle are not be used during the day then you should better think again. There are circumstances and situations where you have to turn on the headlights even while driving in day time. You can be rest assured that headlights of your car or any other vehicle are not just for driving in the dark or under fog. If there is any substantial reduction in natural light you should turn the headlights on without thinking twice – like driving on an unlit road lined with trees. Even when a storm is approaching and the natural light has faded you should put the headlights in your vehicle on.

It is relevant to mention that all new cars that have been manufactured since 2011 have daytime running light fitted. This range of lights comes on automatically without manual intervention. But daytime running lights are only included in the front headlights. While driving in darker conditions you have to switch on the rear lights manually as well as the main beam or dipped beam headlights of your vehicle.

Lights for night time driving

Whenever you are driving at night you should always make use of the driving lights. Another basic and important point is switching between dipped and full beam – when you are approaching another driver or drivers always make sure the full beam is your vehicle is off explaining mobile tyre mechanics in London who also provide BMW headlights replacement. This is meant to make sure there is no glare or dazzle for the other driver. Now if you come to the rulebook, you will find headlights need to be switched on half an hour before sunset in the evening and half an hour after sunrise. While you are overtaking a vehicle your beam must be lowered till your vehicle has gone past the one in the front. 

How you should tackle the situation when you suddenly found yourself at the receiving end of unwanted headlight dazzle? Here is a tip from experts that work wonders, just slow down or pull over to a side and give your eyes some time to get adjusted to the situation. Once your eyesight returns to normal you will face no difficulty or discomfort driving through safely. While driving through a built-up area at a speed say below 30 mph, using only the sidelights is not illegal although any seasoned motorist will also switch the headlights on.

Brake lights

Every time before commencing on any journey, especially those long drives, you must check the brake lights on your vehicle. If by case there is a blown bulb you could be penalised or be booked and prosecuted. If you are lucky then they may only pull you over and caution you before letting you go. The monetary penalty in these cases usually amounts up to £60. According to trained and skilled professionals who deal with car headlights replacement you may also be served a 14 days’ notice to get the problem fixed and checked. In worst scenario they could take your off the road immediately while cracking the cane hard.  

Here you have something important to understand – your brake lights play a crucial role all the time you are driving. These lights alert the traffic nearby about your intentions. So, when you brake suddenly without your brake lights coming on there is always the risk of a rear end accident. When the vehicle is static in a queue, you should keep the brake lights on. Full brake lights are likely to cause glare for those following you. In these circumstances seasoned drivers make use of the handbrake and put their vehicle into neutral gear to avoid glare for drivers behind.

Hazard lights

Hazard lights should be turned on only in certain circumstances like when your vehicle is static. It is also used to alert drivers behind that you are experiencing a hard time driving and they should better slow down or pull over. Trained professionals who provide the service of headlight bulb replacement add these lights should always be used whenever your vehicle is being towed. On a dual motorway when you turn on your hazard lights it warns others about an obstruction or an accident which has taken place ahead. But once you know the drivers behind have got your message then you should turn off your hazard lights.

Fog lights

Fog limits visibility and so driving under fog is hardly a pleasant experience for anyone. If oncoming traffic cannot see you because of low visibility then there could be other tragedies to worry about. Every vehicle is expected to have at least a rear fog light whereas front fog lights are a kind of standard in the present times. Making use of fog lights is not any legal requirement but it makes a lot of sense as it makes you visible to other drivers under thick cover of fog. When visibility is normal you must not leave the fog lights on. if you still leave the fog lights on when visibility has changed to normal you are likely to end up with a £50 fine. The fine is charged in these circumstances because of a reason explain professionals who provide headlight replacement near me over the years. Dazzling fog lights cause glare which in turn may lead to accidents they explain.

About sidelights and indicators

Lights on the registration plate and the sidelights have to be lit between sunrise and sunset. If the lights are not working or not in use that becomes a chargeable offence. You should keep checking the indicator bulb at short and routine intervals. The same goes for the rear indicators too. If these are faded or show less colours your vehicle will fail an MOT and so you better be cautious about that.

Windows of your vehicle

Tinted window screens reduce visibility and keeping this in mind the rules are framed accordingly explain professionals at 24hr Mobile Tyre Repair London who provide car headlight bulb replacement near me over the years. As per the law the front windscreens should provide at least 75% visibility while the front windows on the sides give at least 70%. If your windscreens and windows do not comply with these norms then you are likely to face the wrath of law enforcers.