Are Position Lights the Same as Low Beams?
2 Answers
Position (width) lights are not low beams. The position lights on a car refer to the front and rear position lights on the body of the vehicle. Position lights, as the name suggests, 'position' means warning; 'width' refers to the outline, so position lights are a type of warning light used to alert other vehicles. They are installed on the edges of the car's roof, indicating both the height and width of the vehicle. Position lights are usually turned on under the following conditions: 1. At night. According to traffic laws, position lights and rear position lights must be turned on simultaneously during night driving. 2. In foggy conditions. They primarily serve to warn other vehicles. 3. During rainy weather or when visibility is poor.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I must emphasize that parking lights and low beams are completely different. Parking lights are primarily used at dusk or when parked to make your vehicle's width and position clearly visible to others—they have very low brightness and serve to outline the vehicle's silhouette. Low beams, however, are for nighttime or low-light conditions, specifically illuminating the road ahead to ensure you can see the driving conditions clearly. I often see novice drivers confuse the two—for example, mistakenly using parking lights instead of low beams at night, which is like trying to navigate darkness with a candle, making the road ahead blurry and highly prone to accidents. My advice: always check your lighting settings before starting the car—use parking lights when parked and switch to low beams while driving. Additionally, modern vehicles come with automatic lighting systems, but don’t get complacent with manual operation. Regularly checking bulb and wiring wear can prevent major issues. Safety first!
