Are Position Lamps the Same as Width Lamps?
2 Answers
Position lamps and width lamps are the same. Position lamps are also called width lamps. They are lamps installed at the highest points of the front and rear of a vehicle, similar to the anti-collision lights on the wingtips of an aircraft. They are primarily used during driving in conditions such as dusk, overcast days, or rainy and foggy weather to indicate the width and height of the vehicle. This helps other drivers determine the relative position and size of the vehicle during encounters or overtaking. Typically, the color of width lamps is white at the front and red at the rear. There are two types of position lamp switches: rotary knob style and lever style. Literally, the term 'position lamp' can be broken down: 'position' implies a warning, and 'lamp' refers to the outline. Position lamps are warning lights designed to alert other vehicles. Installed along the edges of the vehicle's roof, they indicate both the height and width of the vehicle. Safety regulations mandate that vehicles taller than three meters must be equipped with position lamps.
A veteran driver with ten years of experience tells you that position lights and width lights are the same thing, just called differently. These lights are located on the sides of the front and rear of the car. When it gets a bit dark in the evening, turning them on makes the car look like it has two rows of little yellow teeth. Last time I was on a long-distance drive and encountered heavy fog, I turned on both the position lights and fog lights, and they were very visible in the rearview mirror. Some new cars call them contour lights, but their function is the same—to let other vehicles see the width of your car. The switch for these lights is usually on the left lever near the steering wheel; turn it to the first setting to turn them on. During maintenance, remember to ask the mechanic to check the bulbs. Replacing one only costs a little over ten yuan, but it can ensure safety when it's dark.
