Millions of Brits at risk of £1,000 fine for driving with defective headlights
MILLIONS of Brits are knowingly driving with busted headlights, increasing their chances of an accident and getting hit with hefty fines.
Drivers behind the wheel of cars with faulty headlights could be fined up to £1,000 if they’re pulled over by the police.
A recent study by Halfords found that 4.6million cars in the UK have broken or defective headlights.
Shockingly, around 7 per cent of drivers admitted to never checking that their lights are in working order.
Failing to keep your headlights in a decent condition can affect its brightness, which can drastically impact your ability to see at night and during winter conditions.
Under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, “No person shall use … on a road a vehicle unless every lamp, reflector, rear marking and device … is in good working order and, in the case of a lamp, clean.”
How to make sure your headlights are in working order
- Turn on your car and switch on the headlights
- To ensure they are in working condition, wait until dark and park your car on an even surface facing a wall.
- Walk around to the front of the vehicle and make sure the lights are bright and working.
- If one bulb is dimmer or blown, you may need to replace both bulbs as the other is likely to follow shortly.
- If replacing the bulbs doesn’t work, the issue is most likely a fault connection which will need to be repaired by a mechanic.
The Highway Code also states that “lights, indicators, reflectors, and number plates MUST be kept clean and clear”.
If pulled over by police, you are likely to be hit with a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
But if challenged in court, the fine could increase as much as £1,000.
Laura Walsh, a spokeswoman for Halfords, said: “Usually you don’t know when a light has gone so regular checking is essential, especially in these increased hours of darkness and often more difficult and hazardous autumn and winter conditions.
“We realise that replacing blown bulbs on vehicles is not easy and have designed our own service to provide a helping hand for motorists who need to replace their blown bulbs.
“Cars with defective lights can cause a danger on the roads, so it is important that you check your bulbs regularly and change them if needed.
“We know motorists have delayed essential repairs and many wait for their MOT but this is a false economy and such drivers risk falling foul of the law.”