Last week we kicked off our A-Z of car lights with everything from brake lights to full beams. This week, we pick up where we left off, from fog lights to tail lights.
Fog lights
When you are driving in fog, it is tempting to pop your full beams on to improve visibility. Often, this has the opposite effect as the light reflects off the water droplets, making it even harder for you to see. Activate your fog lights when your dipped headlights are on, by pressing the button on your dashboard; amber for rear lights and green for front.
Only use your fog lights in conditions where visibility drops below 100 metres to help you see other road users, and other road users to see you. If you use them in better conditions, you are at risk of dazzling others.
Hazard lights
When you put your hazard lights on, your indicators work together temporarily. They are normally switched on by pressing a button with two concentric triangles on it, on the centre of the dashboard. You can use your hazards to warn others of obstructions caused by you or other road users.
Don’t be tempted to use hazard lights when illegally parking, for example on double yellow lines; only to warn other drivers when you are causing an unavoidable obstruction.
Indicators
If you don’t know what to use your indicators for – or how – then you need to find a driving instructor! It is worth noting that if you tow anything that obscures the back of your car, you will need to make sure that it is hooked up to a light board that is plugged into your vehicle, so that your brake lights and indicators especially can be seen at all times.
Side lights
Also known as parking lights, side lights are located on the corners of the front of the car. The switch is usually found on the indicator stick or light dial on the dashboard. If you park on the side of a road that has a speed limit of over 30mph, you should leave your parking lights on, so that other vehicles can easily see your car. You should also leave your parking lights on if you park on a road in fog.
If you parking on a road with a speed limit of less than 30mph, you don’t have to have your side lights on, as long as you are in a layby or designated parking space, or you are parked with your car facing in the same direction as the traffic and you are near to the kerb and 10 metres or more from the nearest junction.
Tail lights
Your tail lights are red lights at the rear of your car which come on when you put your headlights on.
If you are unsure of any of the advice given in this article, get in touch with a local driving instructor for a refresher course. If you have problems with your lights, find a trusted local garage in our directory.