Should you drive with your sidelights on?

Question

I was told that it was in fact against the law to keep them on when driving...

Answer 1

No you should not drive with sidelights on.
Sidelights are only used for parking in areas where your car needs to be seen when parked, ie. on roads of 40mph or above speed limits (park in direction of traffic flow only), parking in foggy conditions, etc.
Dipped headlights are the correct driving lights when the vehicle is moving, and to be switched on when daylight is poor, bad weather conditions and in darkness.
Front and rear fog lights are for poor driving in fog and very heavy rain....ie visibility drops to approx. 100metres.
More information in the Highway code!

Answer 2

Only in Scandavanian countrys....thats why Volvos have side lights on permenant.
There is no requirment during daylight hours to have lights on here.
During the hours of darkness you must have at least sidelights on in the confines of a street lit area. Outside of them you must have headlights on dipped beam.

The highway code states.....

93: You MUST use headlights at night, except on restricted roads (those with street lights not more than 185 metres (600 feet) apart and which are generally subject to a speed limit of 30 mph)
use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 201).
ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit at night.
Laws RVLR regs 24 & 25 & RV(R&L)R reg 19

94: You MUST NOT use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users
use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users.
Law RVLR reg 27

95: You should also use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to main beam if necessary, unless this would dazzle oncoming traffic
slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights


Hope it helps

Answer 3

Sidelights as on the outside of your vechicle. Its not against the law, volvos automatically come on. Its against the law to drive with your internal light on .

Answer 4

If the weather is a bit dull, I drive with my side lights on. It is illegal to drive with front fogs on unless it is, well, foggy!

In Nordic countries, they drive all the time with side lights on - I think it may be a legal requirement. It is something to do with being so far north that it gets dark very early during winter, so from a safety aspect, the vehicle can be seen.

Answer 5

Definitely have them on, especially in dark, wet weather. See and be seen ! The law doesn't say that - my Volvo always has them on and I feel very safe ! Why would they fit them as standard if it is against the law. Try reading the Highway Code ?
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

It would seem a strange law, for the idea of having lights apart from the driver seeing the road ahead in the dark was so that other road users can see you when visibility is poor.

Answer 7

In Ireland we're supposed to drive with headlights on. It's not law, just a safety recommendation - as the weather's so bad I guess.

Answer 8

I don't think it's against the law.
Why should you drive with them on?
They are for when you are parked in poor light.
If you are driving in poor light you should have your heads on.

Answer 9

Side lights for parking
Dipped beam for driving
This is what they are for, side lights are not illegal but as i found out once you may get a lecture from PC plod

Answer 10

I have been stopped a few times for that and told to switch them off, never been nicked for it though