A car with lights too dim or too bright is a major road hazard. To prevent possible road accidents due to lack of visibility or bright light blindness, it is essential to keep the lights working their best. You and other motorists should be able to see and be seen on the road. Therefore, the importance of car lights is one of the basic things any driver should understand.
To avoid dire consequences, always make sure that your car lighting is in order as mandated by the law. Do not forget to regularly check the lighting of your car to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. Here is all you need to know about car lights and their importance.
The Law Regarding Car Lights in the UAE
The UAE Traffic law mandates the proper usage of car lights. Those who fail to follow incur fines and black points.
Violation | Fine | Black Points |
|---|---|---|
| Driving at night without lights | Fine AED 500 | Black Points 4 |
| Driving in foggy weather without lights | Fine AED 500 | Black Points 4 |
| Driving a vehicle that does not comply with the security and safety measures | Fine AED 500 | Black Points – |
| Driving a vehicle that is unfit for driving | Fine AED 500 | Black Points – |
| The rear or sidelights of the trailer container are broken | Fine AED 500 | Black Points 4 |
| The absence of back and sidelights of trailer container | Fine AED 500 | Black Points 4 |
| Failure to use signal light while changing direction | Fine AED 400 | Black Points – |
| If the lights of the vehicle are not working | Fine AED 400 | Black Points 6 |
| In case the changing lane light signs are not working | Fine AED 400 | Black Points 2 |
| The rear sign lights of the vehicle are not working | Fine AED 400 | Black Points 2 |
List of Different Types of Lights and Their Importance
There are several benefits of upgrading the car lighting system. They provide ensure safety and give an excellent driving experience:
Indicator Lights
Car indicator lights are among the most vital lights in a vehicle. This light warns other motorists of a change in direction of your car. Knowing where you are about to turn or shift, they can make a better judgment of how they should steer their vehicle. These lights, therefore, indicate two directions –left or right.
The indicators must be activated when overtaking, changing lanes, parking, in a roundabout and of course when turning. In short, as soon as the car changes direction. Also, if the vehicle reverse lights are not working, then change it otherwise you will be fined AED 400 for reckless reversing.
Hazard Warning Lights
The role of hazard lights, also called car warning lights, is to alert other motorists of an immediate danger on the road.
The hazard warning lights must therefore be used in the event of a sharp slowdown that could involve a collision or in the event of stopping or parking on the side of the road following a breakdown or a problem.
As a reminder: if your car must be stopped on the side of the road because of a breakdown or a problem, you are also required to position a warning triangle approximately 45 meters behind your car.
Brake Lights
Like indicators, brake lights are one of the crucial lights in your vehicle and it is recommended that you must not drive it if the lights are not functioning. There are two types of brake lights in a car.
- The low mount brake lights are visible for small vehicles such as sedans.
- The high mount light makes your vehicle visible to big vehicles such as trucks.
Brake lights immediately activate when you step on your car’s brake and indicate to other drivers that you are going to stop or slow down the vehicle.
Low Beam Lights
One of the best things about low beam headlights is that it improves visibility for the driver without disturbing other motorists on the road. The low beams allow you to be seen up to more than 30 meters without dazzling other motorists since they mainly illuminate the right side. However, it is important to properly adjust your headlights to prevent the low beam from dazzling other drivers on the road.
However, the dipped beam headlights must therefore be switched on as soon as night has fallen or the weather conditions obscure visibility on the road (rain, snow, etc.).
High Beam Lights
The high beam car headlights provide great vision at night. However, given their positioning and power, they should not be used if you encounter other motorists on the road as they may be dazzled. Indeed, as soon as you encounter another vehicle, you must substitute the high beam headlights for the low beam headlights.
High-beam headlights should therefore be used as soon as the road is dark or not lit and there are no other cars on the road.
Led Lights
LED lights for cars provide clearer lighting than other types of car lights. Besides, they are also eco-friendly and easy to install. LED lights have over 18,000 lumens which provide brighter vision at night. The H4 180W LED has a powerful luminosity and can produce 6500K. Moreover, LED lights can also be used as interior car lights.
The cost of LED car lights varies considering the quality and power of the light. However, you will find it at the cost of AED 50 to AED 100.
Taillights
The tail lights typically work when your headlight is on. The vehicle taillights are there to alert the vehicles coming from the back so that they can judge and maintain a safe following distance. It increases the visibility of other drivers so that other vehicles may not bump into each other. Make sure you are not driving with broken tail lights as it can result in drastic consequences. Replace your car tail lights in case they are dimming or broken.
Fog Lights
The fog lights are designed to improve the driver’s visibility in bad weather conditions such as rain, sand storm, fog or snow. The fog lights car is specially oriented towards the ground to avoid dazzling other road users. You can turn on the fog lights when the visibility drops less than 100 meters. You can follow these tips for safe driving in bad weather.
Besides, it is important to follow the UAE road markings to ensure safe driving for both motorists and pedestrians.
Here is all you need to know about the importance of vehicle lights while driving in the UAE. The proper usage of car lights can help in decreasing road accidents and will make your ride safer. If any of the lights aren’t working in your car, get it repaired or buy a car light to get it replaced. You can buy a range of car lights in the UAE along with other car parts for sale at affordable rates.
If you like this guide, stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more.
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