Here’s why you shouldn’t drive with a bad or broken headlight.
These days, it's pretty rare to see a car with a broken headlight. Most newer cars have sensors that alert the owner when a replacement is needed, and modern automotive headlights are made of virtually indestructible plastic. That said, headlights can still break, burn out, or malfunction, like the one above the filled with water, and need replacement.
While you might feel capable of navigating the roads with only one functioning headlight, it’s never advisable. Here’s why:
It’s not safe.
First and foremost, it’s dangerous. Driving with only one fully functioning headlight significantly reduces your visibility and impairs your ability to fully see the road. This can become especially dangerous if you encounter unexpected obstacles or bad weather.
If the damage is allowing water is getting into the headlight, like the one pictured, it could also cause electrical damage which is both unsafe and more costly to fix.
You’ll probably get a ticket.
Most states have regulations requiring drivers to use their headlights from sunset to sunrise. It’s also law that all motor vehicles, except for motorcycles, must have two headlights. So, if you have a faulty or burned out headlight, it is very likely that you’ll get pulled over. If it’s recently gone out or you had no idea it was out, the officer may let you off with a simple notice to fix the violation or issue a small fine. But if you’ve been driving with one headlight out for an extended period of time, you can be given both a notice to correct and a notice appear in court. This means that you’ll not only have to pay for a repair to correct the violation, but you’ll also pay a larger fine and the violation may show up on your record.
Alternatively, if your headlight is broken, even if it’s working, you could get cited for having a “dangerous vehicle,” which not only carries a hefty fine but could add points to your license.
At V&F
The best way to avoid a broken headlight is to keep up on and stay in touch with the safety-level of your vehicle. If your headlight does break, changing it immediately will be well worth it.
At V&F, our top priority is keeping our customers safe on the road. Since 1988, our family owned and operated service center has been providing top quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. If your car needs maintenance or repair, call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.