Headlights and Rain: Do You Really Need Them?

It's raining hard, your visibility is small, you're sitting closer to your steering wheel to see the cars in front of you, what do you do? Turn on the headlights? Most people would say yes.

What is the law about headlights? Is there really a law about headlights? The answer is yes. If you cannot see well due to inclement weather, you should turn them on. (You can read pages 19, 25 and 26 of the 2009 Florida's Driver's Handbook Online). Would that be a good defensive move? What about offensively? What about other drivers?

Scenario 1:

What if you had your lights on, as does most other people, it's morning, or evening, and it's raining cats and dogs, you want to change lanes for whatever reason, you put your directional signal on, look in your mirrors, and you look over your shoulder, and wham! You hit someone because he/she was driving a car without their headlights on, and the color of their car was nearly transparent with the weather. Should you be responsible for that accident? Or, should the driver without the lights be responsible.

Scenario 2:

Let's look at it from the other view. You are driving in hard rain, and it's early morning. You have your wipers on, you don't need to change your lane, you are driving just fine, no visibility problems, and you have a light colored vehicle. Next thing you know is someone hits you, and you loose control of your vehicle, spin, and maybe flip, the other car possibly doing the same. Why did this happen to you? Was it because the other driver wasn't paying attention? Maybe. Was it because you weren't paying attention? Maybe. Was it because the other driver didn't see you due to the weather and you didn't put your lights on for others to see you? Very likely.

That was a good example of defensive driving. You may not need the lights, but others may need your lights to see you. Some people don't agree with this, but its true none-the-less. It really happens. People get hurt, even die from accidents. Not to mention the damage to all cars involved. It's smarter, and healthier, to use your headlights.

What about those people who think they are driving offensively? You know, the ones that drive with their four ways on. This is really a bad thing, illegal actually. You slow traffic, your speed varies, you stay on the highway and not get off at the next exit like a real emergency, and if you are on a city street, you should get off at the nearest parking lot or gas station. Four ways are for emergencies only. (Check page 23 in the 2009 Florida Driver's Handbook Online). They are there for others to see your car is in trouble, flat tire, engine problems or whatever. Emergencies! Not because you are afraid of driving in rainy, or otherwise bad weather.

I think people should be made to take the written portion of the driving test every so often, so they can remember the rules of the road; also, the driving portion for all of the elderly, yearly. You can't expect their years of experience to overcome the usual and expected physical difficulties of old age. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but facts are facts. Those who are capable should drive. Those who cannot drive at night, or some other problems, shouldn't.

Be safe; use your headlights as instructed in the driving handbook. When in doubt, use your headlights. If you need help, pick up a free book at any Driver's License Office.

Just a quick add, you are not allowed to use high beams when you are close behind or in front of anyone. It blinds them, and can cause serious accidents. (Page 25-26 of 2009 Florida Driver's Handbook Online). Again, pick up a driver's handbook at your local Driver's License Office for specific distances, and rules in your area. You will find that many people break traffic rules, including yourself, when you read this book again. Maybe some rules have changed since you read it. It would be a good refresher course.

Resources:

1) www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/handbooks/download.php
* A free PDF download of the 2009 Florida Driver's Handbook, for those of you who do not have time to go to your Florida DMV / Driver's License Office.

2) Common Sense.