For safety’s sake, light up in the dark
Thousands of SA drivers and cyclists have been caught in the dark without effective headlights and the numbers are trending upwards.
SA Police data revealed that in the 2023-24 financial year, 6399 drivers were caught in dark conditions with either faulty or no headlights – a 24 per cent jump on the year prior.
Of those caught by police, eight per cent were fined $291 plus $102 Victims of Crime Levy, and the rest were cautioned.
In the same period, 4620 cyclists were caught riding at night without working front or rear lights – a 30 per cent jump on the year prior.
What’s the law around lights?
When driving between sunset and sunrise, or in hazardous weather conditions, your vehicle’s headlights must be turned on. This not only helps you to see but also means your vehicle’s rear and number plate lights are illuminated and your vehicle is visible to following drivers and riders.
For the same reason, headlights should also be turned on when rain, dust or fog reduce visibility.
Visibility is poor when unfavourable conditions or enough daylight make it difficult to see people or vehicles on a road at a distance of about 100m.
Headlights and technology
Modern headlight technology has come a long way, but it’s a double-edged sword. Back in the day, the dashboards on older cars were dark unless you switched on the headlights. If you drove without your lights on, you might have realised when you glanced down at the unlit speedo.
These days, modern vehicle dashboards are lit up like Christmas trees when the engine’s running, even when the headlights are off. Now, you might leave a well-lit place like a service station or drive along an illuminated freeway without realising you haven’t switched on the lights.
Most modern cars have front-situated daytime running lights, which come on when you start the engine. As the name suggests, however, they’re designed to improve daytime visibility, not light up the dark road ahead.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says daytime running lights don’t activate your vehicle’s taillights which can cause problems for following cars.
“Daytime running lights allow you to be seen from the front, but not the rear, so it’s best to turn your headlights on when conditions are poor,” Charles says.
If in doubt, switch your lights on
Most modern vehicles have an automatic headlight function but if it’s getting dark or visibility is poor, don’t rely on your car’s sensors – switch the lights on yourself.
“A lot of modern vehicles have automatic headlights, but we recommend turning them on manually when visibility is reduced or daytime conditions are especially hazardous, so you can be certain your vehicle can be seen by other drivers,” Charles says.
“In foggy conditions or heavy rain, use your fog lights if you have them – they have a low, wide beam that’s handy when visibility is poor.
“However, don’t forget to switch them off once the weather clears up, as they can dazzle other drivers.”
Don’t risk it
Drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists must ensure their lights are working and switched on whenever visibility is low.
“Driving without effective lights in dark or hazardous conditions is extremely dangerous,” Charles says.
“Headlights not only allow you to see the road in front of you but ensure you’re able to be seen by other road users.”
For vulnerable road users like cyclists, having a working front and rear light can be a matter of life and death.
“Cyclists should be aware that they require a white front light, rear red light and a rear red reflector whenever they’re riding in the dark,” Charles says. “It’s also a good idea to wear high visibility or reflective clothing to ensure you can be seen from a distance.”