Daytime running lights are now a common feature on the majority of cars, and most use LED lighting. However, daytime running lights and headlights are not the same, and mixing the two up might result in a fine or worse.
By design, daytime running lights (LED or halogen) are less bright than headlights. They don't light up the road as headlights do. Additionally, while the daytime running lights are in operation, the taillights (as well as the license plate lights) are completely dark, making your automobile almost undetectable from the rear.
It's not on purpose that drivers turn off their headlights. What's probably happening is as follows:
- Even though they just use their extremely brilliant LED daytime running lights, people can mistake them for having on headlights.
- Even if their automobiles aren't as apparent to other drivers, some people may be traveling in locations that are well-lit by streetlights or other types of lighting, in which case daytime running lights alone may be perfectly enough.
- It's possible that people are accustomed to driving older vehicles with gauge clusters that don't illuminate until the headlights are activated. However, many modern automobiles feature continuously lit LED gauge clusters. Drivers who just switched to a new vehicle might be anticipating a headlight nudge they won't get.
Here are some pointers for safe (and well-lit) driving at any time of year, whether it be in the fall:
- Learn the symbols for your vehicle's daytime running lights and headlights by consulting your owner's handbook (or researching your car online). Then, you'll be able to tell instantly which of the two you're wearing.
- Make sure the bulbs in your headlights and taillights are in good shape and replace any that are not right away.
- If your car has an automated headlight setting, always utilize it.
- Alert approaching motorists if they are not utilizing their headlights (with a quick flash of yours). Then make sure your headlights are on as well.
- Make it a practice to always switch on your headlights at the first hint of nightfall and to keep them on until after daybreak if you're traveling in the early morning. When headlights must be utilized is governed by state legislation.
No matter the brand or year of your automobile, headlight forgetting is still a possibility. Here's how to lessen the likelihood that it will.
It's critical for drivers to become familiar with their vehicles' lighting systems. Leave the automatic lights on if your automobile has them. If not, make sure to activate your headlights anytime vision is threatened, such as in the early morning, at nightfall, or whenever it is getting dark. Find out more about headlights from here.
You might not see better during the daytime if you have your headlights on. However, they will make it much simpler for other drivers to see your car on the road.