18 March 2011

RSA Expresses Serious Concerns About The Number of Badly Maintained Lights on Vehicles

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has expressed serious concern about the number of badly maintained lights on vehicles and is urging road-users to ensure that the lights on their vehicle are working properly. The call comes as anecdotal evidence suggests there is a major problem on our roads with poorly lit vehicles. In fact, a number of vehicles on the roads are travelling with only one working headlight and are often mistaken for a motorcyclist which could lead to a serious collision.

To ensure other road users can see you, motorists must ensure the lights on their vehicle work properly. Driving with only one working headlight or other lighting defects poses a serious safety risk on the road. Lights, reflectors, number plate lighting and indicators will only be effective if they are working. Badly adjusted headlights are also a danger on the road as they can limit the driver’s vision on the road, and can also dazzle oncoming traffic which can cause a collision.  The RSA advisers all motorists to use dipped headlights (Daytime Running Lights) in daylight hours.

Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA had this advice for motorists: “It is extremely important to have correctly working lights on your vehicle and I would urge every road-user to make sure all of your lights are in proper working order before you start your journey. Think about it - how can you be safe if you can’t be seen? Just take a couple of minutes to turn on your lights and check them before you start your journey - this simple check could be the difference in you coming home safely tonight. It will typically cost between €10 and €20 to replace a headlight, if you don’t it could end up costing you more, for example, if convicted and fined in a court or if you were responsible for a crash.”

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, An Garda Síochána said “there is a legal obligation to maintain lighting on a vehicle in proper working condition. Proper lighting also provides visibility of your presence on the road and help keep you safe. It is in everybody’s interest to take all necessary precautions to ensure our safety on the road”.

The RSA reminded road-users that Road Traffic Regulations require that a vehicle’s lighting is kept in good working order, ready for immediate use and constructed and fitted correctly so that the lights don’t mislead or dazzle other road users. If your lights aren’t maintained properly, you could be prosecuted and face a fine of €1,000 on conviction.

In addition to maintaining the lights on your vehicle, the RSA expressed concern at the number of people who use fog lights when they are not necessary. In a previously unpublished observational study carried out by the RSA in 2009, a total of 53,881 vehicles were observed to monitor their use of fog lights. The survey found that13% of drivers used their fog lights when not needed, for example, when there was no fog or falling snow. Drivers in Cavan, Cork and Offaly were the worst offenders with 23%, 22% and 19% of motorists (respectively) using their fog lights incorrectly.*

Motorists should remember to switch off fog lights when visibility improves. The RSA has reminded road-users that using fog lights in clear weather is a motoring offence† and can cause glare or dazzle other drivers which could result in a collision. Misuse of fog lights could lead to a prosecution where you could face a fine of €1,000 on conviction.

Similarly, rear fog lamps should only be used in dense fog, falling snow or heavy rain. Never use rear fog lights in normal driving conditions as they tend to blind traffic coming behind you. 

The RSA has this advice for motorists:

• Before any journey you should check that all your lights, indicators and stop lights are in working order.  Park the car in a non-traffic area and ask a friend to observe each light as you activate it. If you notice any lights not working you should have it repaired or replaced immediately.
• When having your car serviced ensure that the lighting equipment is thoroughly checked.
  Any defective or broken lights should be repaired or replaced without delay.
• If you sometimes carry heavy items in the boot, this extra weight will change the focus of the headlamps and may dazzle oncoming drivers. You should refer to your car manual to find out if there is a way to adjust the lights.
• Only use replacement bulbs designed for the headlights of your car.  Using a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulb in a vehicle designed only for halogen bulbs may dazzle other road users and is an offence.

ENDS

For further information contact the RSA Press Office on 096 25008

†With respect to fog lamps Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations (S.I. 189 of 1963) states: (8) Where a vehicle equipped with a fog lamp within the meaning of article 44 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamp shall be used only in fog or while snow is falling. Penalties for misuse of fog lights are €1,000 in the case of a first offence and €2,000 in the case of a second, third or subsequent offence

*Editor’s Notes: Observational Study of Fog Light Use

13% of cars observed had their fog lights on when they were not needed.

	No. of vehicles	Fog lights on	% With fog lights on when not needed
Athlone  & Surrounds	4608	811	18%
Cork	5739	1237	22%
Dublin	8102	902	11%
Dundalk / Drogheda	3408	460	13%
Galway	6529	740	11%
Limerick	7410	369	5%
Maynooth & Surrounds	4186	608	15%
Kildare	3128	418	13%
Cavan	463	107	23%
Clare	717	110	15%
Kilkenny	571	65	11%
Laois	1167	129	11%
Louth	648	91	14%
Mayo	1434	236	16%
Meath	2532	416	16%
Monaghan	1080	185	17%
Offaly	575	109	19%
Sligo	1368	78	6%
Tipperary	216	33	15%
Total	53,881
Total Non Fog	53,881	7,104	13%