Winter is approaching and with it the hours of sunlight are significantly reduced. This is something that reminds us of the imminent time change this Sunday, with which it will get dark earlier. To this must be added other meteorological factors such as rain, fog or even snow, which are beginning to be frequent and can significantly complicate circulation on the roads. With all this, good use of car lights becomes essential for driving safely.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has reminded on its social networks that each moment of driving has its own light. Lights are a fundamental element of vehicles to guarantee optimal vision, as well as to make us visible to others. Just as drivers must adapt the speed or safety distance to the traffic circumstances, the same thing happens with lights, since the Road Safety Law requires the use of one or the other depending on the brightness on the road.
“You must drive at a speed and with lights that allow the vehicle to stop in the illuminated area.” With this maxim, the DGT reminds that at night this detention margin must be greater. The regulations state that any vehicle must circulate with the corresponding lighting between sunset and sunrise, with the exception of motorcycles, which must turn on their low beam headlights at any time of the day.
Dipped or short-range headlights are mandatory at night within the town or at any time of day when driving in tunnels or underpasses. They should also be turned on when weather or environmental conditions significantly reduce visibility, that is, in fog, snow or heavy rain. In addition, they are also mandatory to circulate on reversible lanes, in the opposite direction to the usual or additional ones.
Drivers must turn on their high beam headlights when driving at night on insufficiently lit roads, outside of towns and at a speed greater than 40 km/h. These types of lights are focused on combating poor visibility and mitigating the risk of an accident if you have to brake. Of course, they must be used as long as they do not dazzle pedestrians or other drivers traveling in front or in the opposite direction.
Rear fog lights are mandatory and serve to warn drivers traveling behind of the vehicle's position on stretches where dense fog or heavy rain and snowfall significantly reduce visibility.
On the other hand, the front fog lights constitute a light reinforcement on roads where the width of the road is less than 6.5 meters or where there are successive curves. They can also be used, day and night, in case of fog, heavy rain, snowfall or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions. This element is not mandatory.
This lighting always accompanies the other lights and serves to indicate the presence and width of the vehicle. Its use is mandatory at certain stops and detentions, when the shoulder is located on an insufficiently illuminated road.
Daytime running lights (DRL) have been mandatory for all new cars manufactured in the European Union since 2011. Their function is to enhance the visibility of the vehicle for other road users and in In no case can they replace the previous ones. These turn on automatically when you start the car and are especially useful in dangerous sections, intersections with poor visibility, when traveling on highways and highways, or when the position of the sun is very low and causes glare.
