Most people do not have a problem using headlights at night. Personal necessity reminds us to flip that switch. But headlights serve two functions: To see and to be seen. The latter reason is the one to keep in mind.

Try this: When driving down the interstate or a long stretch of road, glance into the other lane to see how many other cars you can spot with lit headlights. As you take note of them, pay attention to how much easier it was to spot them compared to the rest. Even on a bright day the headlights bring notice to oncoming traffic.

Most vehicles come with daytime lamps which switch on when the car is in gear. I wish my Honda Pilot came with these running lights, but it doesn’t. So, I’ve tried to develop the habit of turning on my headlights every time I start up my vehicle. The main reason is to be visible to other drivers. More frequently than you might think, I have been in situations were pulling out into traffic on a lit yet gray morning has had almost pull in front of a car without headlights on. In a few cases, the car was even a silve or gray to blend enough to make it almost invisible. It is easy to forget to be visible when you can see others clearly.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the Tennessee Driver’s Guidebook, page 20:

Use of Headlights

• Required Night Use: Your car headlights must be turned on between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Required Daylight / Inclement Weather Use: Also, your car headlights must be turned on:

1. At any time when daylight is not good enough for you to see persons or vehicles clearly at a distance of 200 feet ahead; and
2. When rain, mist, snow, or other precipitation requires constant use of windshield wipers.

Headlights turned on during daylight hours will make your vehicle easier to see to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. Use headlights when driving at dusk. Even if you can see clearly, headlights help other drivers see you as much as they help you see them. Get into the habit of turning headlights on when using windshield wipers. Remember, using headlights when wipers are in use is not just a good safety precaution— it’s Tennessee law!

I was taught that whenever windshield wipers were turned on that headlights should be too. (A tip to car manufacturers: Design the wipers when activated to automatically switch the lights on too.) I can’t help but think that if you don’t make yourself visible, you are liable when you are hit. Being visible increases your safety.

Tags: rules, safety // 1 Comment »