Do not forget the lights
Do not forget the lights
Since Sunday parts of the country have had heavy and sometimes disruptive rainfall. While this is a positive for many areas after a few months of low rainfall, it often creates havoc on the roads for motorists. Some drivers may have noticed that despite the lowered visibility other drivers are neglecting to switch their lights on.
Putting aside the fact that road safety experts say there are other benefits to always driving with your lights on, switching headlights on in wet weather has many more benefits than only helping you see better. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says:
“If the safety benefits of having your lights on day and night and in all weather has not convinced you, the importance of switching your lights on during a storm should. While visibility may seem minimally affected, your vision will always be reduced whether rainfall is mild or heavy."
“Central vision is affected when your windscreen wipers seem unable to keep up with the rainfall. You will also naturally focus more on the road ahead of you in all conditions, which affects peripheral vision. Lastly, even if it feels like your headlights are not helping you, they are still helping other motorists see you,”
says Herbert
Other reasons why headlights are important in rain:
- When you turn your headlights on, it also turns your taillights on, improving visibility from the rear as well.
- Headlights with older technology may appear weaker in rain because the light beams are scattered but this does not mean they do not increase visibility, and it is essential to help other drivers see you.
- Do not wait for rain to start before turning the headlights on, as you see weather starting to change switch them on.
- Do not use bright lights in wet weather. They create an even stronger glare and blind other drivers and pedestrians.
- In certain instances where the precipitation is dense and reflective, fog lights may be better than low beams because they have the least glare while still showing other drivers you are there.
- In extremely heavy downpours, technically you should not turn hazard lights on unless you are in an emergency. Some drivers may mistake the emergency lights as a stationary vehicle and take unnecessary and potentially dangerous evasive action.
- If your vehicle has automatic headlights, keep this function on so that your lights adjust to rainy weather without any effort from you (and prevent unpleasant surprises if you forget them on).
- Periodically check that your head and taillights are in good working order by asking someone to help you check them or by shining them against a wall or window that will reflect it back.
International studies say that low-light conditions contribute to up to half of road-deaths.
“We encourage everyone to use their lights no matter the condition or to keep them switched to auto. In low-light conditions like rain, however, headlights are a non-negotiable,”
says Herbert.
