Checking your lights is critical
It happens
to almost everyone who drives, especially at dusk. You're about
to change lanes when, from out of the shadows, a vehicle suddenly
appears in your side mirror. "WHERE DID HE COME FROM!?"
you ask yourself. The driver had only his parking lights turned
on. If it's dark enough to turn on your parking lights it's dark
enough to turn on your headlights. In bad weather, especially
fog, take every precaution to see and be seen. Some colors, especially
gray, tend to blend into a misty background during those critical
dusk/dawn periods, times during which traffic is heavy with commuters.
Your
turn signals and brake lights provide basic ... and important
... communications among motorists. Consider this scenario. Slowing
down for an intersection a driver rhythmically taps his brake
pedal. He doesn't realize his left brake light is out. Consequently,
the on-off brake light on the right side could be misconstrued
for a flashing turn signal. This could create confusion for other
drivers because he really intended to continue straight ahead.
Confusing signals, or lack of signals, can lead to an accident.
A typical car has dozens of lights which not only illuminate the
road and mark the vehicle for others to see, they also provide
a means of communication among drivers. Interior lights add to
driver and passenger comfort and convenience. On our cars as in
our houses, we tend to take lights for granted until, suddenly,
we discover one or more that's not working. At home this is an
inconvenience, but when you're sharing the road with other drivers
it's dangerous.
Are you
sure all of your car's lights are working? Maybe not. Note how
many vehicles around you have only one headlight and/or other
lights not working, good reason to be concerned about night time
driving safety. Your chances of being involved in an accident
increase 400% after the sun goes down. How do you know if all
of your lights are working? Make it a habit to take an occasional
stroll around your vehicle to check all lights. Turn on your emergency
flashers. Then have someone step on the brake pedal and move the
turn signal lever from left to right to be sure these lights are
working. Have your helper put the shift lever in reverse, too,
so you know your back up lights work.
Even
when all lights are OK there's the question of headlight focus.
Improperly aimed headlights not only can blind approaching drivers,
they also tend to cut drivers' vision. If you've noticed other
drivers flashing their headlights at you, have your headlight
aim checked. It's an inexpensive procedure that can make driving
more enjoyable.
Car Care
Council offers several facts about lighting and visibility: 1)
Sealed beam lights may become dimmer with age due to a tungsten
coating that accumulates on the glass. Not so, however, with halogen
head lamps. 2) When driving under foggy conditions use low beams,
not high. 3) When towing a trailer check trailer lights frequently
because of their vulnerability to faulty connections. 4) When
your headlights are properly aimed your high beam should light
up not only the road but also any adjacent tree or pole for a
distance of 300 feet. 5) Low beams should light up the road plus
just enough of the right shoulder to see pedestrians.
Provided as a public service by the Car Care Council
