Motorists are being warned that failing to turn on a certain switch in the car could land them with a costly fine and even points on their license. As the weather remains wet this fall, you may be surprised by this legal requirement.

Select Car Leasing staff explained that drivers should use their headlights when driving in heavy rain, even if it is broad daylight outside.

Under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989, it is mandatory to use dipped headlights when visibility is “seriously reduced”.

And the highway code says you must use your headlights when you can’t see more than 100 meters (328 feet) in front of you, which is about the length of a football field.

Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, clarified that the guidelines apply to heavy rain, not just fog or early night.

Failure to comply may result in a £50 on-the-spot fine. However, drivers could also be charged with careless or inconsiderate driving under the Highway Traffic Act 1988 – in which driving “falls short of what is expected of a competent and careful driver”.

In these cases, failing to use headlights on wet roads could result in a £5,000 fine and nine points on a licence.

Graham said: “Lighthouses are not just there to be used at night, they are also designed to keep everyone safe during the day, and especially when it rains heavily.

“We’re not just talking about using headlights when you can’t see a few cars in front of you during the most extreme downpours, the law says you must use headlights when you can’t see more than 100 meters ahead YOU.

“It’s a relatively long distance, about the same length as a British football field, so it’s important to exercise caution and use your headlights as soon as weather conditions deteriorate.”

The Highway Code specifies that you can also use your front or rear fog lights in heavy rain, but you must turn them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users.

Select Car Leasing warns that glare from lights can be a serious problem in bad weather, when windshields are wet and visibility is reduced.

And there’s another little-known vehicle lighting law that might surprise motorists.

Rule 114 of the Highway Code states that you must never sit with your foot on the brakes when waiting at lights or when traveling in stop-start traffic.

Instead, you should always use your handbrake, as this does not turn on your rear brake lights and therefore reduces the risk of dazzling a driver behind you.

The Highway Code states: “In stationary queues, drivers must apply the parking brake and, once following traffic has stopped, remove their foot from the brake pedal to deactivate the vehicle’s brake lights. vehicle. This will minimize glare to road users until traffic resumes.

This particular section of the Highway Code is also backed by law in the form of the ‘Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989’ and motorists face a fixed fine of £100 as well as three points on their license if they are surprised by a vehicle. policeman.