Should the position lights be kept on all the time?
3 Answers
When driving at night, the position lights need to be kept on. Here are the precautions for using car lights: When a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic lights and turns left, the turn signal should be turned on, and the low beam should be used when driving at night. When a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, the high beam should not be used. When a motor vehicle passes through a sharp curve, slope, arch bridge, crosswalk, or an intersection without traffic light control at night, it should alternately use the high and low beams to signal. High and low beams: Both are used for nighttime illumination. The high beam can improve visibility and expand the field of view. On dark roads without streetlights, the visible range with the high beam on is much larger than with only the low beam on. The low beam is for close-range illumination, with a short irradiation distance and unadjustable focus, covering approximately 30-40 meters. On roads without a centerline: When meeting another vehicle at night, switch to the low beam at least 150 meters away from the oncoming vehicle. When meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or narrow bridges, use the low beam. If a motor vehicle breaks down or is involved in a traffic accident on the road, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move, the hazard warning lights should be turned on as required, and a warning sign should be placed 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle. At night, the position lights and rear position lights should also be turned on simultaneously.
I've been driving for over a decade and often get asked whether parking lights need to be kept on all the time. I don't think it's necessary, but they're crucial in specific situations. The primary purpose of parking lights is to make your vehicle's outline visible to others, so they should be used in low-light conditions—such as at night, dawn, or dusk—or during rain or fog when visibility is poor. Turning them on significantly enhances safety by preventing misjudgment of your position, which could lead to accidents. I have a personal experience: once during a thunderstorm on the highway, I promptly turned on my parking lights and avoided a rear-end collision. However, keeping them on during the daytime is just a waste of battery power and fuel, and it may even shorten bulb life. Modern cars come with automatic lighting systems that adjust the lights automatically, making it convenient and efficient. The general rule is: turn them on when lighting is insufficient and turn them off when it's bright and clear—this ensures both safety and peace of mind.
From an energy-saving and environmental perspective, I do not support keeping the parking lights on continuously. Although they are small lights with low power consumption, prolonged use can gradually accumulate, draining the car's battery energy and even affecting overall fuel efficiency, which is detrimental to the environment. I have personally tested that driving with the lights on during the day for one hour reduces fuel efficiency by about 1%. While this may seem insignificant, it still wastes resources. The real need to turn them on is during low-light conditions, rain, fog, or when parked in dark areas to make your vehicle visible to others. I make it a habit to turn them on only one hour before sunset and keep them on until one hour after sunrise, in compliance with traffic regulations, as most countries require them to be on during these times. Modern technologies like LED lights are more energy-efficient, but keeping them on constantly is still unnecessary. Choosing the right timing is more important—it not only protects the environment but also saves costs.
