subject: Car Lights: From Front To Back [print this page] When it comes to cars, lights are indispensible. Not only do they light your way at night so you can travel even when it's dark or raining, but they also warns other drivers if you're experiencing problems or if you are about to stop or turn. When learning how to drive or even for those experienced drivers, it's important to understand each of the lights in your vehicle and know when and how to use them.
The front of your car is equipped with low beam car head lights, which provide general illumination when you're driving. These are generally used when there are other vehicles coming towards you. You also have your high beam lights, which are meant to be used during low visibility situations and only when there are no cars coming towards you. High beam lights shine their light higher up on the road and can dazzle or blind other drivers momentarily. Some vehicles also have fog lamps in front of their car. This is meant for low visibility situations like fog on the road. They are meant to shine a light under the fog so you can see the road.
The back of your car has tail lights that usually need to be red by law although there are some countries that allow clear car tail lights. They automatically turn on when your front head lights are on. You also have brake lights on the back of your car, usually also red in addition to your tail lights. Whenever you step on the brakes even when your head lights are turned off, your brake or tail lamps turn on to signal the driver behind you that you are slowing down or stopping.
Both the front and back of your car or vehicle has turn signals that double as hazard or emergency lights. Turn signals alert the driver behind you or in front of you that you are changing lanes or making a turn. As hazard lights, these lights signal that you are experiencing an emergency or are in trouble. For example, if you have a flat tire and need to pull over, a driver would turn on their hazard or emergency lights to inform other drivers and they can avoid your vehicle accordingly.
In some countries, park lights are also required by law. These are lights that turn on when you're parking. This is also especially useful in tight streets so that other drivers are aware that you are in the middle of parking your car, thus preventing a possible collision.
As a responsible driver, we all need to be aware of the safety of others as well as ourselves. By learning about the different lights on your vehicle and how they work and what they're purpose is, we can travel in our vehicles to our desired destinations while at the same maintaining responsibility and respect for other drivers and pedestrians.
