Today's letters: Please learn how to use your vehicle's headlights properly

Monday, Nov. 20: With shorter days, it’s time for a basic safety check, says one reader. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Nov 20, 2023 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 2 minute read

Modern cars have an “auto” setting option for your headlights. Use it. GETTY IMAGES

Learn how headlights work on your car

I ask all drivers to please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the external light settings on your car. This is especially important now given that it is dark outside by 5 p.m.

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Any car built after 1990 should have the following options: DRL (or day-time running lights), regular evening lights, and high-beams. It is important to know which to use given the environment and time of day.

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DRLs illuminate your front lights at about 50 per cent strength (your front turn signals might also turn on). These lights will automatically go on when you start your car. This is safe for driving during the daytime.

However, when you have your car on DRLs, your red tail lights are off, even if your dashboard gauges are illuminated. Based on my anecdotal observations, this is problematic because a significant minority of drivers in the evenings drive only with their DRLs. These drivers should learn how to switch on their normal evening lights — then remember to turn them off upon arriving at the destination.

You should see different icons on your dashboard to show the difference between DRLs and headlights (and your car’s instruction booklet in your glove compartment will help you in this).

On more modern cars (the last 10 years or so), there is likely an “automatic” setting option for your lights. Please set this, and a sensor will determine when the computer should turn on your headlights (and tail-lights), and when DRLs are sufficient. I remember being told to put my headlight setting to “automatic” and keep it there permanently.

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On the flip-side, I have noticed that some cars are driven on city streets after dark with their high-beam headlights on. This is also dangerous (you know your high beams are on if you see a blue icon on your dashboard). High beams should only be used when driving after dark in rural areas where there are no other lights. Please make sure that you do not drive in the city with them.

And finally, I ask you to please spread this message by asking your friends and family to also take a moment and learn proper light settings on their car. I also would ask that this message be translated into as many languages as possible and distributed as widely as possible.

Taking two minutes to learn the difference between DRLs, regular headlights and high beams — and how to use each setting properly — will increase visibility and road safety for everyone.

Wojciech Rothbard, Ottawa