Headlamps and Safe Driving.

In good driving conditions the HEADLAMPS in the average car enable the driver to SEE for about 100 metres on an unlit  road and for about 30 metres on dipped headlamps.

Badly adjusted headlamps are DANGEROUS and will limit the range of vision and may dazzle oncoming traffic when dipped.A well lighted vehicle will be CLEARLY VISIBLE to other road users.To be effective lamps,reflectors,number plate lighting and indicators must be kept clean and in good working order.

Full headlamps

When driving at night you must use  your full headlamps except...

• In a built-up or special  speed limited area where there is good street lighting.
• When stopped in the course of traffic.

Dipped headlamps

Use dipped headlamps in the following circumstances:

• When meeting other traffic.
• When driving in a built-up or special speed limit area where there is good street lighting.
• On continuously lit roads outside built-up or special speed limit areas.
• When following close behind another vehicle.
• At dawn and dusk- the beginning and end of lighting up hours.
• Where there is dense fog,falling snow or heavy rain(where  fog lamps are fitted they may only be used in heavy fog.)
• If the conditions require the use of headlamps then you must use them.

Rear red lamps

Rear red lamps are absolutely necessary to warn following traffic.Enhanced red lamps should only be used in dense fog,falling snow or heavy rain conditions and NEVER DURING ORDINARY VISIBILITY when they tend to blind traffic approaching from the rear.

Dont drive on the tail lights of the car in front.It gives a false sense of security and may lure you into driving too close or too fast or both.

The law

A motor vehicle must be equipped  with the following several lamps which must be effective and operational...

• Two headlamps to the front.
• Two white front sidelamps
• Two red rear lamps.
• Two red rear reflectors
• Number plate lighting at the rear
• Directionindicators to the front and rear.(Which must be amber in colour.)

* Except motor cycles or an electric vehicle the maximum speed of which does not exceed 24mph.For lighting on motorcycles,trailers,or other vehiclesconsult the "rules of the road" booklet.

Suggestions

• Before any journey you should check that all your lights,indicators and stop lights are in working order.Park the car in a non-traffic area and ask a friend to observe each light as you activate it.

Any defective or broken lights should be repaired or replaced without delay.

• If you discover when doing your checkthat the lighting on one side of the car is defective,You should not use the caruntil it has been repaired.

Accidents have happened  because of vehicles with such defects being mistaken for a motorcycle.

• Regularly check the alignment of your headlamps.Any irregularity  should be corrected.

Badly focussed headlamps can cause accidents by blinding oncoming drivers.

• If you sometimes carry heavy items in the boot this extra weight will alter the focus of the headlamps and may dazzle oncoming drivers.

Consider having the light focus re-aligned or travelling in daylight.

• When having your car serviced ensure that the lighting equipment is thoroughly checked.