Bringing the lights on is recommended
We all know that, in low visibility conditions and at night, having the lights on in the car is something necessary and mandatory for our safety. In these, and in general, the DGT recommends carrying the short range lights always on. However, there are times, situations or places where we are forced to turn them on, even if it is daytime.
According to the road agency, with the lights on, even when the visibility conditions they are good, we can see a car that comes in front of us 240 meters from us, something that is reduced and a lot of not having the lights and also depending on the time of day or the color of the vehicle.
In addition, even in unbeatable circumstances, with the lights on you can help “avoid around 10% of road deaths,” they explain. Now, in what specific cases can we be fined? if we don’t have them on? What can happen and how much would it amount to?
Be alert in these situations
Thus, their use and maintenance is essential for guarantee the security and avoid a sanction, points out the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), which has recently indicated when the most controversial lane can be used. The importance, therefore, is more than demonstrated
And do you know in which cases it is mandatory use the car’s low beams (also called dipped beams)? The General Directorate of Traffic has taken the opportunity to remember it:
- Between sunset and sunrise.
- In tunnels.
- In reversible or opposite lanes
- In poor visibility conditions.
- Motorcycles must always be used.
However, what is maintained in each and every one of these situations is that by not turning on the dipped headlights we will take a sanction that will reach the 200 euros. Likewise, the DGT has also wanted to remind that the daytime running lights that some vehicles now equip can never be a substitute for dipped beams. On the other hand, during the day it is advisable to have the lights on, if these daytime bulbs are not available, but it is not mandatory and, therefore, it is not a punishable offence.
Daytime running lights do not replace other lighting
In addition to this recommendation, Traffic emphasizes that DRL daytime running lights, which are mandatory in Europe on all new cars since 2011, they never replace the rest of the lighting (low beams, high beams, fog lights) and that it is mandatory in various situations beyond night.
With recommendation during the day, he does it for make our car visible to other users, be they other vehicles, pedestrians or bicycle users or others considered vulnerable.
For its part, the high beam, or long, must be turned on when driving outside the town at more than 40 km/h between sunset and sunrise, in addition to poorly lit roads and at any time if the tunnel, passage or underpass or section affected by the Tunnel sign (S-5) is not sufficiently lit.