If you are also planning to go on a road trip, you should remember that before going on this perfect getaway, it is important to check various aspects of the vehicle chosen to ensure a safe trip.
While most people concentrate on tasks like mapping out fuel stations, checking tire pressure, and other pre-trip checklist items, they often forget to check the functionality of the headlight. However, this should never be overlooked, as the dangers of driving with a single headlight cannot be understated.
Let’s delve deeper into this subject and understand the safety hazards and legal consequences of driving with a single headlight, while also highlighting the importance of including this pre-trip task in your checklist.
Reduced visibility: This is the biggest concern, as a single beam can provide only half as much illumination as two beams. This can be especially dangerous when driving in poorly lit areas.
Vehicle misinterpretation: There is a risk of the vehicle getting misinterpreted as a motorcycle by others on the road when only one headlight works. This can potentially lead other drivers to change lanes, overtake, or merge and misjudge distance as a result
Increased chance of head-on collision: With a single headlight, it can be difficult for oncoming traffic to evaluate the distance between your vehicle as well as the vehicle’s width
In specific conditions like fog and rain, passing on a two-lane highway driving roads with sharp curves, and driving in the city with only a single headlight creates additional risks.
DO YOU KNOW?
According to a survey, 31% of people revealed that they are more likely to opt for a 2-row SUV. This highlights that most people prefer vehicles that provide higher seating capacity and cargo.
The Legal Consequences of Your Road Trip
Safety isn’t the only matter of concern when driving with a single headlight on a long road trip. The vast majority of states require that both headlights be fully functional. Non-compliance to this can even lead to legal penalties, which can vary from one state to another. This is particularly important for road trips as you may be crossing state lanes.
Some states may only provide warnings and make drivers fix the issue within a specific time frame, whereas others may not take this issue lightly and charge fines right away. Below are additional potential legal issues that may arise:
Depending on the state, navigating with a single headlight could cost up to $200 in fines or more.
If you get in an accident with just a single headlight, you can face difficulty in claiming coverage as the insurance companies may argue that the driver was negligent, therefore possibly denying or reducing the claim.
For those who reside in a state that performs routine vehicle safety checks, a malfunctioning or broken headlight could result in a failed inspection, ultimately landing you in trouble or resulting in expensive fines.
With these consequences, you can understand how important it is to keep your vehicle in top shape before leaving for a road trip.
How to Fix a Burnt Out Headlight Quickly
Now, some might ask, “What if the headlight malfunctions or burns out mid-trip?” Well, in such cases, you can opt for some quick fixes until reaching a repair shop.
First and foremost, pull over and restart the vehicle to ensure it’s not an electric glitch. Assuming an emergency kit with a spare headlight bulb is in the car, replacing it is generally the best option. However, there may be other causes of headlight failure such as a blown fuse and more which require skilled expertise to fix,
If a headlight burns out in the middle of a road trip, and you don’t have any tools or equipment, it is best to just find the nearest auto repair shop. Most likely you’ll find some roadside service stations along the way.
However, if the car is still under warranty, and you somehow manage to find a dealership close by, they may replace the headlight free of cost.
TRIVIA G S Manikkuttan of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, holds the world record for going on the longest road trip. He drove 69,207 km across India, breaking the previous record of 58,185 km.
Prioritize vehicle safety before your road trip
Driving with a single headlight can result in significant safety risks and legal issues, especially on lengthy trips. Besides, the last thing anyone would want when hitting the open road is a ticket or to put themselves in a position where they can be injured, which is why they should never forget to ensure that their headlights are working properly.
Safety should be prioritized above everything else when planning a fun road trip by ensuring that the vehicle chosen is inadequate shape and all the parts, under the hood, are functioning.
Do this by tackling preventative maintenance like conducting a thorough inspection of the vehicle and adhering to the maintenance schedule of the vehicle to keep things in working order.
