How and when to use car lights?
It would seem that no driver should have any problems with the proper use of lights in a car. There is no doubt that lights are one of the most important elements of every car. However, as it turns out, there is no shortage of drivers on Polish roads who have a big problem with this. Each mistake can cost us from several dozen to several hundred złoty in a fine or even the loss of a registration certificate. If so, let's think about how and when to use car lights.
First of all, let's refer to the dipped headlights, which must be on 24 hours a day, regardless of the conditions. Only those drivers whose cars have daytime running lights installed can give up using them in good visibility conditions. In a situation where the dipped headlights do not automatically switch from daytime running lights to daytime running lights or if we do not have them on permanently, we must remember to always turn them on before dusk. In addition, they are essential in poorly lit tunnels. Although they are less economical than daytime running lights, it is a good idea to use them 24 hours a day. Then you do not have to remember to use them. However, the dipped headlights should be turned off when stationary, which many drivers constantly forget about. Leaving them on misleads an oncoming driver. Penalties that may affect such a driver include a PLN 100 fine and 2 penalty points for driving without the required lights from dawn to dusk, and a PLN 200 fine and 4 penalty points for driving an inadequately lit car from dusk to dawn or in a tunnel.
Daytime running lights can be used in normal clear conditions from dawn to dusk as a replacement for low beam. Since the rear position lights do not come on when the daytime running lights are on, they should be switched off when the driver is driving in fog, rain or snow.
High beam, or so-called "high beam" lights, are used to illuminate the road after dark. They can be used in certain situations, although there is no such necessity. Compared to low beam lights, they have a longer beam of light, so they illuminate the road in front of the car better. One of the key rules regarding high beam lights refers to not blinding other road users, not only vehicles, but also pedestrian columns or trains and boats moving alongside the road. High beam lights must be turned off when another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, but only when it also changes to low beam lights. Let us also remember that such lights must not blind drivers moving in front of us. Let us note that improper use of high beam lights is a fine of PLN 200 and 3 penalty points. Let us remember here that there is no regulation that conditions the flashing of high beam lights at other road users. This can only be done to warn of danger.
Position lights, or "parking lights", are used when the car is stationary in a place where it is not sufficiently visible to other road users. They should not be used when the car is stationary off the road.
Fog lights are divided into rear and front. The latter can be used in conditions of limited air visibility, which result not only from fog, as their name suggests, but also from rain or snow. In a situation where there are conditions of normal transparency, they can only be turned on on winding roads, which are marked with appropriate signs. Due to the fact that they can blind other drivers, they are not used on wet roads, when there is no rainfall that limits visibility.
Rear fog lights are used only in conditions of very limited visibility, when it is limited to 50 meters. They must be switched off when another vehicle is moving behind such a car. They can distract such a driver and slow down any braking. Improper use of fog lights is a fine of PLN 100 and 2 penalty points.
These lights are designed to inform about a car parked in a place not designated for this purpose. The well-known and often used form of "thanking" other drivers with hazard warning lights may be considered a misdemeanor. It is also a mistake to turn them on while towing a vehicle that has an accident or breakdown. The general rules state that these lights may not be used while driving regardless of the situation. However, there is one exception to this. In new cars, these lights turn on automatically when the ABS or ESP system is activated, even for a moment. They are then to warn of danger. Let us add that failure to turn on hazard warning lights at the time of a breakdown or accident is punishable by a fine of PLN 150 and 1 penalty point (PLN 300 and 2 penalty points for such an offense on an expressway or motorway).
Turn signals are lights that are used to signal the intention and maneuver of changing lanes or direction of travel. They are turned on before starting a given maneuver and turned off after it is completed. Importantly, and something that drivers sometimes seem to forget, turn signals are also turned on when signaling and ending an overtaking maneuver. Quite a few mistakes are made when using turn signals. The most common are two that do not have unpleasant consequences, however, and more importantly, are often made to make driving easier for other drivers.
So you should not turn on your indicator when entering a roundabout (especially from the left lane), but only turn it on when exiting and changing lanes. The second mistake concerns overtaking with your indicator on. Such mistakes can cost you up to PLN 200 and 2 penalty points, although many officers turn a blind eye to them.
Now that you know how and when to use your car lights, we have no doubt that you will make fewer mistakes. It is worth following the above tips and driving in accordance with the applicable regulations. Another tip: if you are interested in services such as car rental Poznań or car rental Wrocław, then be sure to check out the offer of Mobicars - a rental car company with the most attractive prices on the market.
