The weather has been pretty crummy recently in my part of the country, with lots of rain, snow or simply overcast skies. I've been shocked at how many people drive in these weather conditions without their headlights turned on.
It's not just that headlights help you to see better in wet weather and low light. I'm sure that my headlights do nothing to improve my ability to drive on a typical rainy day. But headlights do help you be seen by other drivers as well as by pedestrians.
Between my commute this morning and starting to write this column, I checked the state driver's manuals for Connecticut (where I live and work), New York and New Jersey (two states where I am likely to drive). In all three, it is the law that if you turn on your wipers you must turn on your headlights. Chances are good, therefore, that it's also the law where you live.
As the New York drivers manual advises, do not use parking lights or daytime running lights as a substitute. Headlights do a better job.
And remember -- if an approaching driver flashes headlights at you during a period of low visibility, it probably means your vehicle was hard to see, and you should turn on your headlights.
Pass it on.
Mar 11, 2010 at 7:55 AM I live in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. I have seen driver errors and instances of people just not caring where
cars are concerned. No headlights, excessive speed,(daily),
Tailgating, pull out onto a state highway @ 40 when the limit is 55, excessive speed during snowy or rainy days,
and of course no headlights during bad weather. The list just goes on and on!
Mar 11, 2010 at 12:24 PM Turning on your headlights when the windshield wiopers on is the law in California too. Many drivers, however, do not obey. The probable reason is that the law has not been adequately publicized.
Mar 11, 2010 at 12:29 PM You're absolutely correct about the number of people who drive without their headlights on in bad weather or on overcast days, when everything is gray. Peripheral vision doesn't pick up colors, so any vehicle approaching from the side is much more visible if their headlights are on.
Too many people labor under the misconception that the reason for driving with their headlights on is to enable them to see better, which obviously it won't. The idea is to be more visible to other drivers.
Mar 11, 2010 at 1:39 PM If you don't actually turn on your headlights your tail lights will not be on. Running lights do not include tail lights.
Mar 11, 2010 at 5:23 PM In my observation, the drivers of darker color cars are the last ones to turn on their headlight. When it becomes dusk dark cars are difficult to see.
When a driver turns his headlights on and off, it is a signal for the other driver to turn theis on. It seems that people have forgotten this.
Mar 11, 2010 at 8:13 PM I'm a retired law enfocement officer, & I've never seen the law enforced. It's a very dangerous violation.
Mar 12, 2010 at 7:54 AM Good weather or bad weather, day or night, When I'm on the road, I always have my headlights on. Much safer for everyone concerned that way.
Mar 12, 2010 at 9:23 AM Another thing driver's who do not put their lights on on overcast days don't seem to realize is that when one is in a line of oncoming traffic the one without the lights on will be the one that a driver might turn in front of because they think it is a break in traffic. I will always signal those drivers (if I see them in time) but unfortunately many don't seem to get it!!!
Mar 12, 2010 at 10:47 AM I agree with putting your headlights on always, I am a retired mail carrier and many is the time when I almost pulled out in front of cars because they blended in with the road. "Put your Headlights on" It is so the OTHER guy can SEE YOU!!!
Mar 13, 2010 at 6:49 AM What are "Running lights" for automobiles? I know of "Parking lights and Headlights" only.
"Running lights" apply to boats, AFAIC,
Mar 17, 2010 at 7:43 AM I have "running lights" on my car. They are lights that come on day or night, any time that my car is cranked. I love it because I ALWAYS have lights on so people can see me better. Running lights on a car are different from park lights or headlights. They are located with the headlights but on my car, they work independently of the headlights. They come on any time my car is running, hence the term "running lights".