This is sort of a ridiculous question because only a teenager trying something wild and crazy would drive in the dark with no lights on. The rest of us are aware we need the light to avoid obstacles and to plainly see what is in front of us. There isn’t a person alive that would choose to be blind and we certainly wouldn’t choose to drive without seeing everything we can see. So why would we not think to make sure our lights are working and are aligned? Probably because the headlight is not something we normally have to repair unless we have been in an accident. The taillights are equally important in yet it usually takes a family member or friend that had to follow us somewhere to tell us that we have a taillight out. Lights are so important, let’s get in the habit of making sure they work.

Every state has motor vehicle laws regarding proper equipment and function, the laws in Arizona state that “At any time from sunset to sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, a vehicle on the highway shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required.” Therefore, make certain your lights are on, not only so you can see but also so you can be seen by others.

It is also considered a traffic violation to be driving without functioning lights. In some states citations for certain mechanical violations are considered “fix-it” tickets. This means you repair the malfunctioning equipment and then get the signature of a law enforcement officer on the “Certificate of Correction” portion of the ticket. Generally you can mail in the correction portion instead of taking it to court. However, if you fail to fix the problem within the allotted amount of time, you will need to pay the fine for the violation and you may be issued another ticket which will go on your record. This type of a ticket is simply not worth the space on your record. Taking a few minutes a couple times a year to double check your lights is really all it takes.

Making sure the alignment of the headlights is proper is part of a good maintenance checkup. The alignment is important because if they are off just a little it can not only blind oncoming traffic but it can actually lessen the road coverage you can see. If you feel you aren’t getting the light you used to get from the lamps perhaps it’s time to inspect the headlamp covers and see if they have yellowed from age and sun exposure. Headlamp covers can even be cleaned and made to look new again so the light can be clearly illuminated from that cover. The following video can tell you all the details about cleaning the covers.

We all want to be safe on the road. There are enough things that can go wrong without making more. We already have to worry about the impairment of other drivers, in fact many take defensive driving courses to teach them how to deal with certain situations. There is also the issue of pets and wildlife that roam across the roads at any given time. Having our lights in working condition is of paramount importance. Safety inspections are offered by most all auto repair centers across the country. If you aren’t familiar with safety maintenance, your repair center certainly y is. We all want to enjoy the summertime, warm weather, fun nights and lots of adventure. Make sure you are safe by making sure your vehicle is in top working condition. When your safety check is complete, sit back, and enjoy the drive to your next destination.