Three Reasons You Should Turn Your Headlights On When It’s Raining

If you’re driving in the rain the first lever you might reach for in your car is the one to turn on your windshield wipers. Of course, this is the first logical step in making sure you have good visibility and are not putting yourself at risk of getting into a New Haven auto accident. When you reach for your windshield wipers though, that shouldn’t be the only lever you reach for, you should also reach for the switch to turn your headlights on.

Headlights are not just for driving at night. In fact, using your headlights during the day is a good way to have an added layer of safety for you while you’re driving. Whether it’s raining or not, it is a good idea to use your headlights to make your vehicle more visible to on-coming traffic. However, when you’re considering whether or not to use your headlights in the rain you should keep in mind that even during the day, when it is raining the skies can make the atmosphere around you seem darker and more like an evening ride.

Generally speaking if you have a question about whether or not to use your headlights when you are driving it is a good rule of thumb to ere on the side of using them. There is very little downside to using your headlights, regardless of the circumstances that you are facing as a driver. The upsides definitely out weigh the downsides so it is important that you take that into account when you’re on the road and wanting to remain safe.

If you decide to use your headlights in all conditions, you should be good to go, but if you’re debating whether or not you should use them when it is raining out, here are three reasons you should to just that.

1.) It increases your visibility. When conditions are rainy you may have a hard time seeing the road in front of you. The weather conditions may cause glare on the road, make it harder to see lane markings on the road in front of you and generally just make visibility for you more challenging. When you use your headlights you have a better chance of being able to see the road in front of you and improve your reaction time because you will see things like signs and potential hazards earlier then you otherwise might have because you are using your headlights.

2.) It improves visibility for others whom you are sharing the road with. Rainy conditions already cause enough problems between hydroplaning and slick conditions, add to that the fact that it can be much more difficult to see on-coming traffic and you have a recipe for disaster. Using your headlights is one way to make your vehicle more easily seen by those who you are sharing the road with and can put yourself at less of a risk. Add to that that your headlights will make your vehicle stand out from the gray background of rain and mist and you have the perfect solution to your problems.

3.) It is required by Connecticut law. In fact, while some states require that headlights are used any time you are using windshield wipers, the law is not written that way in Connecticut. As a driver in the Nutmeg State you are required by law to use your headlights any time there is precipitation including rain, snow or fog. While these are not the only conditions during which you must use your windshield wipers they are the most common and you can be cited if you do not follow this law.

Whether it is required by law or it is just the right thing to do, using your headlights when it is raining will help you avoid a New Haven auto accident. Increasing your visibility and the visibility of others around your vehicle will put you in a much better position to be safe and free from any incident. While it might seem like a small hassle to put your headlights on any time it is raining or snowing, it can help you save your life, the life of your passengers and the life of those that you are sharing the road with.

If you get into an accident you may want to speak with an attorney who has experience with the type of situation you find yourself in. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.