fall headlight and light maintenance as essential to your vehicle and your safety

Driving with a light out is certainly a way to get into an accident. Not only does it reduce your ability to see clearly at night, but it also reduces your car’s visibility to others on the road.  Checking your lights can definitely will reduce your risk of getting into an accident – particularly during fall when the daylight hours become shorter. 
You’ll need to check the following lights:

• Headlights (high and low beam) – Check that both left and right headlights are operating properly and are equally as bright. Also, check that your front lights are aiming in the right spot to give you optimal visibility from the driver’s seat.
  
  
• Fog lights – Fog lights are ideal in situations of reduced visibility, so although they’re not used often, they must work when you need them. They should be dimmer than your vehicle’s headlights are a slightly different color.
  
  
• Daytime running lights (if applicable) – Not all cars have daytime running lights, and if they’re not working correctly the driver may not even notice. If your car has daytime running lights, they should illuminate when you switch your car on and off.
  
  
• Taillights – Similar to your headlights, check all bulbs are lighting up and are equally bright. Even one broken taillight makes it difficult for drivers behind you to see you and gauge their stopping distance.
  
  
• Brake lights – This is where a friend can come in handy. Get them to stand behind the vehicle while you apply the brakes to ensure both brake lights are work properly.
  
  
• Turn signals – Apply both left and right turn signals while a friend checks both front and rear are working. Don’t forget to check your hazard lights as well.
  
  
• Registration plate bulbs (front and rear) – You might be tempted to ignore a broken registration plate light. However, be aware that you could be stopped for a fix-it ticket if your rear registration plate is out.
  
  
• Reverse lights – If a reverse light goes out, the driver has no way of knowing. To check this, have a friend stand a safe distance away at the rear of the vehicle while you shift your vehicle into reverse.
  
  
• Interior light – If you mostly drive during the day, you may not even use your interior light. But if you brake down on a dimly lit day (or at night), you’ll be happy  that  the lights works.

If any of your vehicle’s lights are not  working, a light bulb probably needs to be replaced. If both lights are not working, it may be a blown fuse.