I possibly may have written about this before, but it bears repeating during the new season: When it rains, turn on your vehicle’s headlights. It’s just safer for all involved because you want to be visible to everyone you’re approaching.
But the topic is larger than just a simple recommendation — one I’m betting is required in most (if not all 50) states. There’s an easy way to remember to turn your headlights on: If you’re driving a modern vehicle, there likely is an Auto setting that activates the daytime running lights and automatically switches to headlights when the sunlight diminishes.
This setting isn’t important only during inclement weather — it’s important every time you drive. The problem with daytime driving lights is that passive drivers become accustomed to seeing their lights on in the dark without noticing they’re just the daytime driving lights. That means the illumination is less powerful and the tell-tale taillights are not illuminated. This creates a safety hazard for others because we want to be able to see everyone around us clearly.
A reminder about this Auto mode: I have found that when I get my car serviced, my headlight settings end up being molested, so it always pays to double-check that the headlights are set properly. This also holds true for those who may borrow your car.
So maybe it should be stated that you should mind your headlights every time you drive. Otherwise, when you turn on your wipers, you should always make sure your headlights are on too.
