Many drivers are still arguing about what kind of light It is necessary to use in daylight hours, entering the village. Some are sure that there is enough dimensions, others automatically click "fogheads", and still others rely on modern automatic switching systems. Confusion does not arise out of nowhere, as road safety requirements are constantly evolving and the design of cars becomes more complex.
Since 2010, in Traffic rules (SDA) has undergone drastic changes, requiring the inclusion of passing lights or daytime running lights outside settlements, and from 2020 – and inside cities. This requirement is dictated by statistics: a car with optics on is much more noticeable on the road, which reduces the risk of head-on collisions and accidents during rebuilding. Ignoring this rule can lead not only to a fine, but also to the creation of an emergency situation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical and legal aspects of the use of lighting devices. You will know what the difference is between DRL and passing light, whether it is possible to use fog lamps during the day and how to properly configure the car to avoid problems with traffic police inspectors.
Legislative framework and SDA requirements
The main document regulating the use of lighting devices is section 19. Road traffic rules of the Russian Federation. Paragraph 19.1. clearly states that all moving vehicles shall be switched on during daylight hours. daylight or passing-beam. This rule applies absolutely to all types of roads, including city highways, courtyards and country roads.
It is important to understand that the legislator does not make a distinction between the city and the highway in the matter of mandatory lighting. However, there is a nuance with fog lamps (PTF). According to the same paragraph 19.4, PTFs can be used in the daytime. instead passing beam, but only in conditions of insufficient visibility or at night in unlit areas. On a clear sunny day, using fog lights as the main light source does not formally comply with the letter of the law, although in practice inspectors rarely fine for this if the car is clearly visible.
⚠️ Note: The use of only position lights (dimensions) in the movement during the day is prohibited! Dimensions are intended solely to indicate standing vehicles or movement as part of a road train at night, but not as a substitute for running lights.
Thus, from the point of view of the law, the driver has two legal options for driving during the day: activate the regular ones. DRL (if any) or turn on the passing light of the headlights. Any other combinations, such as "parking lights" or only taillights, are a violation.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) against passing beam
Modern cars are often equipped with separate LED strips or modules, which are called DRL (Daytime Running Lights) They are located in the front of the body and light up automatically when the engine starts. Their brightness is specially selected so as to be noticeable during the day, but not to blind other participants of the movement, unlike the more powerful passing beam.
The main advantage of DRL is energy efficiency and automation. The driver does not need to remember about the lights, which eliminates the human factor and the risk of forgetting to turn off the headlights when parking, planting the battery. Near-light, in turn, illuminates not only the car itself for others, but also slightly illuminates the side of the road, which can be useful in cloudy weather or in the shadow of high-rise buildings.
- 🚗 Automation: DRLs are switched on themselves when the motor starts, and passing light often requires a manual switch or an "Auto" position.
- 💡 Lamp resource: LED running lights last much longer than halogen or xenon passing beam lamps.
- 👁️ Visibility: DRLs have a narrowly-directional beam of light, ideal for designating dimensions, whereas passing light is scattered wider.
If your car is not equipped with factory DRLs, then the only legal option is to include the car. passing beam. Attempting to install artisanal LEDs instead of dimensions and use them as DRLs can lead to disqualification, as this is considered a design change and a mismatch in the type of lighting device.
If you don’t have automatic DRLs, but have an “Auto” mode on the light switch, trust it. The light sensor itself will determine when to turn on the passing light, which is especially convenient when entering tunnels or when the weather changes dramatically.
Can I drive with fog lights during the day?
Question of use fog-light The most controversial time in the daytime is the PTF. Many drivers prefer to turn them on instead of passing beams, believing that this saves the life of the main lamps. However, if we look at the text of the traffic rules, we will see a strict wording.
According to paragraph 19.4, the PTFs may be used. instead passing beam headlamps only in accordance with paragraph 19.1. Paragraph 19.1 refers to DRL and passing beam. The logical chain is closed on the fact that PTFs are allowed during the day, but their use is regulated by the conditions of visibility. Formally, on a clear sunny day in the city, PTFs are not the main lighting device for designating a vehicle.
However, there is a technical aspect. If PTF is included jointly A low-light or DRL is completely legal and even increases the visibility of the car. If you are traveling only with fogs when the near-light is turned off, you formally violate the rule, although in practice it is difficult to prove this unless the inspector decides to check the functionality of the headlights.
| Type of lighting device | Allowed in the afternoon? | Is passing light required? | Risk of fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime running lights (DRL) | Yes (main regime) | No. | No. |
| Near-light headlights | Yes (main regime) | — | No. |
| Fogheads (PTF) | Yes (instead of near) | No (but controversial) | Low/Mediocre |
| Positioning lamps | No (only parking) | No. | High-pitched |
Technical features and settings of the car
Modern electrician It offers different scenarios of lighting. Owners of new cars often do not need to think about switching switches – smart electronics control the light itself. However, in cars 10-15 years old and older, the driver has to rely on their knowledge and habits.
In some models, for example, the Volkswagen or SkodaThere is a "Coming Home" or "Leaving Home" mode that delays the lights out. It is also important to monitor the headlights. If you are driving in the afternoon with the passing lights on, make sure the headlight angle is not raised too high to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, especially if the car is loaded.
- 🔧 Adjustment: Check that the headlight corrector is set to position "0" when loaded by the driver only.
- ⚡ Load: Turning on all consumers (furnace, light, heating) at idle speeds can slightly increase fuel consumption.
- 💧 Cleanliness: Dirty headlights of the passing beam shine worse and more strongly scatter the light, blinding others. Keep your optics clean.
Special attention should be paid to cars with automatic light switching. The light sensor is usually located at the top of the windshield. Do not glue this area with parking sensors or DVRs, otherwise the system may not correctly assess the level of illumination and do not turn on the headlights at dusk or when entering the tunnel.
Why does the light flash when the ignition is turned on?
This is a standard feature of many cars (for example, BMW, Mazda, Ford). Short-term lighting at engine start is a check of the performance of the lamps and drawing attention to the car at the time of the start of movement.
Fines and liability for breach of rules
What is the risk of a driver who has ignored the requirement to turn on the light? Code of Administrative Offences (CAO) provides for liability for malfunction or misuse of external lighting devices. Article 12.20, Part 1, specifies a warning or a fine of 500 roubles.
It would seem that the amount is small, but the problem may be different. If you forget to turn on the lights, you are in the blind spot for other drivers. Statistics show that the probability of being seen on the road with the passing beam or DRL turned on is significantly higher. In difficult weather conditions (rain, snowfall, fog), a car without light becomes almost invisible against a gray background of asphalt.
⚠️ Attention: A penalty for not switched on lights can be issued only if the car is in motion. If you are in a parking lot with the engine turned off, the requirements of paragraph 19.1 do not apply to you.
It is also worth mentioning the situation with the burnt lamp. Riding with one dipped-beam headlamp is equivalent to a malfunction. In this case, the inspector has the right to issue a fine. Moreover, if the lamp burned out on the way, traffic rules oblige the driver to take measures to eliminate the malfunction or follow to the parking/repair site with precautionary measures.
☑️ Checking lighting devices before the season
Safety and visibility on the road
The main purpose of lighting during the day is not to light the road in front of you, but to marking Vehicles for other participants in the movement. The human eye is better at detecting contrasting objects. A car with its headlights on is read by the driver’s brain faster than just a dark spot against a background of buildings or trees.
This is especially true in a city where there is a lot of visual noise: advertising, shadows from buildings, glare from glass. The lights on help to separate the car from the overall flow. Studies show that the use of daylight reduces the number of fatal accidents by 5-10%.
The lights on also discipline the driver. A switch click or a lighted dashboard signals: “The car is ready to move, attention is on the road.” This helps to get into the working rhythm faster after landing in the cabin.
Turning on lights during the day is not a bureaucratic requirement, but a proven way to increase your visibility on the road and reduce the risk of an accident, especially in dense urban traffic.
Do I need to turn on the lights in the tunnel during the day?
Yes, I will. The entrance to the tunnel is always accompanied by a sharp change in lighting. Even if the sun is shining brightly outside, inside the tunnel, the eyes need time to adapt. The dipped light (or automatic switching on) will help you see the dimensions of the tunnel and other cars, and make you visible to them.
What if the passing beam lamp is burned and the DRL is not?
According to traffic rules, movement with faulty lighting devices is prohibited. However, if the lamp burns out on the way, you can drive to the repair site or parking lot, taking the utmost care. But it is best to have a set of spare lamps in the trunk to replace them as soon as the situation allows.
Can you use angel eyes as DRL?
Only if they are certified by the car manufacturer as daytime running lights and have the appropriate markings. If you installed LED rings yourself instead of dimensions or fog lamps, this is considered to be a change in the design of the vehicle and may entail a fine and a requirement to eliminate the malfunction.