side lights

[perose]

Can any one tell me if it is still legal to drive on side lights in dull conditions during the daytime or do we have to use dipped headlights?

[Panic Button]

Yes, unless the conditions are very poor.

The Highway code says: (Rule 226)

'You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves'


In fact you can even drive legally at night on side lights. in an area with street lighting, although I can't see why anyone would.


In my view, if it is poor enough to reach for the light switch then you should go the whole hog and switch to dipped.

[SeaJayPea]

The main reason for insisting on headlights rather than sidelights isn't so that you can see better, it's so that other drivers can see you.
This is especially relevant for drivers of trucks and buses, whose mirrors are on the outside of their vehicle, normally right at the front, above the front wheels. This means that any spray, salt, mud and other road dirt gets flung up onto them. We do have heaters that dry them, but that just dries the dirt on. You can reach the ones nearest you with a cloth, but not the passenger siide ones.
Do you feel safe overtaking, or being overtaken by, somebody who, through no fault of his own, can't necessarily see your car. Turn them on, it's safer.

Happy motoring

Cheers

[deggers316]

i agree with seajaypea
many years ago outside my place of work a lorry with sidelights only on. knocked down and killed three workmates, the road was lit by the old amber lights at the time ,always seemed poor to me.

[Stuart121972]

Highway code rule 113

You MUST

Ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise

Use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified

Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226)

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).


From that I conclude that if it's just dull it's ok, but if visibility is seriously reduced, i.e. fog, heavy rain, snow, etc then you should use headlights.

Interestingly the 2nd bullet point from that rule appears to say that it is perfectly legal to drive on sidelights at night on a lit street with a 30mph or less speed limit!