Motorists are being urged to ensure vehicle headlights are working properly before driving or they could risk facing a £1,000 fine.
Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that vehicles must be maintained and roadworthy. This includes all sidelights, rear sidelights, indicators, hazard warning lights, and headlights needing to be clean and functional.
If found driving with a faulty headlight, motorists can be slapped with a fixed penalty notice fine of £60 with three penalty points on their licence, going up to £1,000 if the case is challenged in court.
In extreme cases, a vehicle could be deemed unsafe and removed from the road.
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The police can stop drivers and issue a vehicle defect rectification notice
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The police can also stop drivers and issue a vehicle defect rectification notice, giving them two weeks to repair the broken lights.
To ensure lights are fully functioning, drivers should carry out regular maintenance checks such as replacing bulbs and polishing lights to avoid getting fined.
Drivers should also refamiliarise themselves with dashboard warning symbols so when damage is flagged, they can get it taken care of sooner rather than later.
Motorists should also avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning the lights to prevent damage to the plastic lens.
Tim Alcock fromLeaseCar.uk, said: “It’s crucial to ensure all the lights on your car are working properly else risk compromising the safety of yourself and other road users due to vision impairment.
“Even having your lights too dim can be classed as unsafe, risking being stopped by the police and issued with a penalty or fine.
“We are urging all drivers to carry out essential maintenance checks on their headlights to adhere to the standard of the law.
“Drivers should regularly check for any scratches to the lights and replace bulbs regularly to ensure they’re bright enough to drive safely.”
The warning symbol for a fault is typically a headlight with an exclamation mark on vehicles. If this appears on a dashboard, drivers are encouraged to take action and get the vehicle checked by a professional.
Offering tips for drivers, Alcock said they should check the lifespan of their headlights, which is typically between 500 and 30,000 hours depending on the bulb type, and if need be, change the light either at home or in a garage.
Using fine-grit sandpaper or a restoration kit followed by a polishing compound can also remove oxidation to restore a clear light projection and visibility, Alcock explained.
Drivers should also check for any cracks or scratches on the lights to ensure everything is working well. If the damages are significant, it’s important to get them checked by professionals.
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Drivers should check for any cracks or scratches on the lights
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