What are clearance lights and rear position lights?

[Steve]

Clearance lights and rear position lights are both used to identify the vehicle body, providing a light signal to oncoming and following vehicles. Rear position lights are also called width indicator lights, which include front and rear position lights on the vehicle. Generally, clearance lights are positioned higher than rear position lights. The specific differences between clearance lights and rear position lights are as follows: Clearance lights are warning lights, usually located at the top edges of the front and rear of the vehicle, indicating both the height and width of the car. Safety regulations require that vehicles taller than three meters must be equipped with clearance lights. Rear position lights are mainly used to indicate the presence and approximate width of the vehicle, helping other vehicles judge during overtaking or meeting. These lights are installed at the rear of the vehicle and are red. When the vehicle brakes, the circuit is activated, automatically emitting red light. Rear position lights are commonly found on large vehicles such as buses, coaches, and trucks, with multiple lights on each side. When illuminated at night, they help other vehicles gauge the length and width of the vehicle to avoid accidents. Width indicator lights provide an estimate of the vehicle's width. In rainy or foggy conditions, they inform following vehicles of the vehicle's size and width. There is also a noticeable difference in brightness between clearance lights and rear position lights. Since clearance lights are closely related to driving safety, their brightness is significantly higher compared to front and rear position lights. Classification and Usage Tips for Vehicle Lights Turn signals: Must be turned on when changing direction, flashing intermittently to alert surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. The timing for activating turn signals is crucial—they should be turned on approximately 30 to 100 meters before the turn. Turning them on too early may give the impression of forgetting to turn them off, while turning them on too late may catch following vehicles or pedestrians off guard, leading to mistakes. Headlights: Commonly known as "high beams," headlights are the "heart" of a vehicle's lighting system. Regular checks are essential, and professional workshops can adjust the height and angle of the lights to ensure optimal visibility for the driver. When meeting another vehicle, switch to low beams and revert to high beams afterward to extend visibility. Use alternating high and low beams to signal other vehicles when passing intersections or overtaking. Brake lights: These are highly bright and inform following vehicles that the car ahead is slowing down or stopping. Regular inspection of brake lights is necessary. If damaged, they should be replaced promptly to avoid rear-end collisions, which can cause significant harm to the cervical spine. Fog lights: These should also be checked regularly to ensure they work in case of sudden fog, rain, snow, or emergencies, alerting following vehicles to take timely action. Drivers must use fog lights in foggy conditions—small lights cannot substitute them. Using rear fog lights in non-foggy conditions can impair the vision of following drivers and is unsafe. Emergency hazard lights: Many drivers rarely use emergency hazard lights (hazard flashers). These should be activated when the vehicle breaks down and needs to stop temporarily or in emergencies. They should also be turned on in poor visibility conditions. Regular checks are necessary to ensure they function properly.

[DiOwen]

I've been driving for half my life, so I'm very familiar with these lights. The position lamps are those small lights at the front of the car, usually yellow or white. When lit, they outline the car's silhouette, helping others see how wide the vehicle is at night or in rainy conditions to prevent collisions. The rear position lamps are the constantly lit red lights at the back, often combined with brake lights, specifically marking the car's position. Especially on highways or in heavy fog, they help following vehicles maintain a safe distance. Once, I forgot to turn on my lights while driving late at night and almost got rear-ended. Since then, I always check these lights before driving to ensure they're on for every trip—they're real lifesavers. Remember, when the lights don't work, it's usually because the bulb is burned out or the fuse is blown, so just replace them promptly.