If you are driving in San Diego, you need to abide by the specific headlight laws that are meant to ensure the safety of all road users. When you follow this law, you can ensure optimal visibility and avoid legal aspects. However, most of you might not know about the headlight law and its importance in preventing accidents. So, let's learn more about the law directly from a car accident lawyer.
What are the headlight requirements and specifications?
Every vehicle, except motorcycles, must maintain two functional headlights, and they should be mounted between 22 and 54 inches from the ground; this is the fundamental law under California Vehicle Code Section 24400. As mentioned by Section 25950, the headlights of the car have to emit white and yellow spectrum lights, which would illuminate the road ahead adequately. You cannot use any other blue, green, or relights d, as they reduce visibility and create confusion among other drivers. To understand the legally accepted headlights, you can consult the car accident lawyer associated with hjtrialattorneys.com.
When should you use headlights?
There are specific conditions where you must use the headlight, and these are subjected to enhance safety, such as:
- When visibility on the road is quite low, particularly during rain, fog, or dust storms, you must turn on the headlights. This will help you see other vehicles, and other drivers will also be able to detect you easily.
- Counting from 30 minutes right after sunset, you must turn on the headlights until 30 minutes before sunrise.
- You must also turn on the low-beam headlight while using your windshield wipers in specific weather conditions, such as rain, fog, and snow.
- If you are driving through specific areas, such as mountains, roads, and tunnels, you must turn on the headlights regardless of the time of day.
What are the prohibited headlight colors?
There are also provisions based on the headlight colors, such as the fact that you cannot use blue, green, red, or any non-white or yellowish headlights as they do not emit enough light to make the road visible. These lights also cannot assist the driver at night, increasing the risk of road accidents. Some vehicles also use high-intensity discharge or LED headlights that appear blue and emit very bright white light, so they are legal but have few stipulations.
Consequences of non-compliance
If you do not follow the headlight law, then you might be subjected to pay a fine or can also face accidents. To ensure safe driving, you need to see others, and others need to see you, so proper headlights should be used.
Conclusion
It is always advised that drivers maintain the best practices when driving on the road, which includes regularly checking the vehicle's lights and whether they are functioning. You must replace the burnt-out bulb immediately, and the headlight should abide by California law. Most importantly, you have to stay informed about the changes in the law and stay updated about the recent regulations so that you can maintain compliance and safety.