When are the width lights mainly turned on?
3 Answers
Width lights are mainly turned on when visibility is poor. The method to turn them on is: rotate the knob to the width light position to activate them. Width lights are also known as clearance lights, small lights, or evening driving lights. Although the names vary, they all serve the same purpose - to indicate the vehicle's width during evening driving, alerting oncoming and following vehicles. Width lights are installed on vehicles to display their width and are considered standard lights. When the light switch is turned to the first position, the small lights that illuminate at the front and rear are the width lights. The location of width lights varies by vehicle model. On passenger cars, they are commonly referred to as small lights, while on trucks, they are often called side lights.
I noticed that the width lights are mainly turned on when the light is insufficient, such as at dusk when it's not completely dark yet, or at dawn when it's just getting light. At these times, visibility is relatively poor, and other vehicles may easily overlook you. Turning on the width lights makes the car's outline clearly visible, improving safety. It's also essential to turn them on in foggy, rainy, or snowy weather because visibility decreases, and the lights can warn others of your position, preventing rear-end collisions. Additionally, when parking on the roadside at night, especially in areas without streetlights, turning on the width lights can prevent other cars from hitting you. After developing this habit, my risk of accidents has significantly decreased. Occasionally, it's also acceptable to use them when briefly stopping in tunnels or on roads with low visibility, but don't confuse them with low beams—width lights are primarily for marking rather than illumination.
After gatherings with friends when driving home at night, I always turn on the parking lights as soon as it gets dark or foggy. It's especially important in suburban areas with fewer streetlights, like that time returning from a country music festival—turning them on at dusk gave me a sense of security. They're also practical in dawn or misty conditions; don’t wait until it’s completely dark, as they help others recognize your car’s shape, reducing accident risks. When parking in unfamiliar spots with poor lighting, turning on the parking lights is standard practice. I keep a small tool in my car to check bulb status anytime. Sharing this tip with friends during daily drives has gotten positive feedback for its practicality.
