Daytime running lights in fog lights. Running lights, low beam and fog lights: what does the traffic regulations say and what are the consequences of violating the rules? When can you use the emergency lights?

Good afternoon, dear readers.

I think that you have already heard many times that from November 20, 2010 they will come into force and that from this moment on it will be necessary to use Daytime Running Lights.

However, in this article I will not consider the changes in the rules for the use of lighting devices themselves. We will talk about how you can use lighting devices before November 20, and how - after this date.

Those. We'll talk about the best way to transition from driving with your low beams off to driving with your lights on. Let me remind you that there are already less than three months left before these changes to the rules come into force, so it’s time to think about studying and implementing them.

I warn you right away that in this article we will consider the use of lighting devices only in daylight hours.

Use of lighting devices until November 20, 2010

Currently, when driving during daylight hours, some categories of vehicles must turn on low beam headlights. This is evidenced by the paragraph:

19.5. When driving during daylight hours, in order to indicate a moving vehicle, the low beam headlights must be turned on:
on motorcycles and mopeds;
when moving in an organized transport convoy;
on route vehicles moving along a specially allocated lane towards the main flow of traffic;
during organized transportation of groups of children;
when transporting dangerous, large and heavy cargo;
when towing motor vehicles (on a towing vehicle);
when driving outside populated areas.

Please note that the vehicles listed must use low beam headlights. However, this does not mean that other vehicles cannot do the same.

The use of fog lights is described in:

19.4.
in conditions of insufficient visibility, both separately and with low or high beam headlights;
instead of low beam headlights in the conditions provided for in paragraph 19.5 of the Rules.

Please note, fog lights can be used. Those. may or may not be used. Accordingly, even if your car is equipped with fog lights, you may never turn them on. Conversely, you can always drive with your fog lights on.

As for daytime running lights, the current version of the traffic rules does not talk about them at all. Well, since this type of lighting device turns on simultaneously with the car engine starting, there is no need to remember about it at all.

Let's summarize. Currently, during daylight hours, lights must be turned on only on vehicles listed in paragraph 19.5. Other vehicles can also turn them on as needed.

Use of lighting devices after November 20, 2010

After November 20, 2010, the text of paragraph 19.5 of the traffic rules will be significantly reduced, however, the group of vehicles that it will cover will increase significantly:

19.5. During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights on to indicate them.

Now low beam headlights must be on on all vehicles at all times. He also had an alternative - the use of daytime running lights, which are always on anyway.

As for fog lights, paragraph 19.4 has undergone minor changes:

19.4. Fog lights can be used:
in conditions of poor visibility with low or high beam headlights;
at night on unlit sections of roads in conjunction with low or high beam headlights;
instead of low beam headlights in accordance with paragraph 19.5 of the Rules.

Therefore, fog lights are also an alternative to low beam.

Let's summarize. After November 20, 2010, each vehicle must have at least one of the following lights on: low beam, daytime running lights, fog lights.

We are switching to new traffic rules

In this part of the article, we will look at how it is better for drivers of various cars to switch to the new traffic rules.

The owners are the luckiest cars with daytime running lights. They don't need to think about anything at all. They can drive under the same rules both before and after November 20.

Although in fact the situation of such cars will even improve, because they will no longer be required to turn on low beams outside the city, when towing, etc.

That is, in such a car you can simply get behind the wheel and drive without thinking about using lights.

The same drivers whose cars not equipped with daytime running lights, it is recommended to switch to new ones as follows.

Approximately 10-15 days before November 20, 2010 i.e. On November 5-10, you need to start using low beam headlights when driving during the day. You can also use fog lights. The choice depends on your preferences.

If there are those interested, they can start using low beam headlights or PTF now; existing rules do not prohibit this.

First of all, let's turn to the main road law -. So, paragraph 19.5 states: “During daylight hours, low-beam headlights or daytime running lights must be turned on on all moving vehicles for the purpose of identifying them.” At the same time, the Rules clearly allow one possibility of replacing the low beam - clause 19.4. allows the use of fog lights instead of low beam headlights.

Thus, during the day you have either low-beam headlights, fog lights, or daytime running lights in front. There is no mention in the traffic rules that there are enough side lights during the day.

How to distinguish side lights from DRLs?

Let's say you're buying a car, new or used, and want to determine whether it has DRLs. Running lights are fundamentally different from conventional side lights, both in their greater brightness and mode of operation. Even if the car’s lighting control is in the “OFF” position, when the engine starts, the DRLs light up themselves, and when the headlights are turned on, they either reduce their brightness or turn off completely.

Light and law

Although the Rules have put everything in its place, many motorists who do not yet have standard DRLs are trying. What is the reason? The fact is that the need to burn low beam lamps all day can lead to the fact that you are much more likely (especially if your light sources are halogen) to be left with one functioning headlight. And then any inspector on the road at night can stop such a one-eyed car, fine the driver, and even prohibit further movement. And he will be right! According to paragraph 2.3.1, “it is prohibited to drive with the headlights and tail lights off (absent) in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility.”

In other words, either learn to change it in the dark, under the snow, in the cold, and quickly, like assembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle, or take care of the low-beam headlight bulbs. Therefore, during the day I advise you to drive with fog lights or DRLs. The owner can install the latter independently or in a car service center, but the requirements for the placement and brightness of such lights must be met.

What not to do:

Installation of LED lamps in colorless turn signal lamps, which glow brightly white while driving, until the turn signal is switched on. Then they start flashing orange. Due to the use of LEDs, the idea may fail when meeting with.
The use of an electronic unit, which, when starting the engine, turns on the high beam lamps (or high beam spirals in combined lamps) with a reduced (40–70% of the nominal) brightness. The headlights are located above the foglights and are therefore better visible. Traffic police officers are unlikely to distinguish them from simply burning low-beam headlights, especially if double-filament lamps of the H4 type are used. And they should not blind oncoming drivers due to reduced brightness. And, naturally, as soon as you turn on the low beam headlights, all the above functions should be disabled.
Installing powerful LED bulbs instead of “dimensions” (weak incandescent light bulbs). Then it’s enough to turn on the “dimensions” and all problems are solved? Not certainly in that way! Firstly, there may be problems with the traffic police, and secondly, with this mode of use in the car, quite a lot of lamps will be on on the instrument panel and on the rear of the car. And, let me remind you, the side lights in the back will burn and burn out, for which the inspector can arrange for you to spend the night in an open field if the lamp does not light and you do not know how to change it.

I highly recommend (unless you have a system for automatically turning on the lights during the day): mark your car in some way, because surrounding drivers and pedestrians are already accustomed to the fact that the car on the road is quite clearly marked with the help of lighting devices. Therefore, vehicles with non-lit lighting equipment are perceived as a kind of ghost that may not be noticed.

And further. switch the DRL to low beam. I have repeatedly seen how the traffic police crew was waiting for drivers who were too lazy to do this at the exit of the tunnel. And remember that you cannot drive around the clock with the DRLs on, because when darkness falls, your car will become a ghost for those driving behind - the side lights in the lanterns do not light up. And the light from the DRLs themselves at night will not be enough to illuminate the way.

The Code of Administrative Offenses provides for a fine for driving without the DRLs on during the daytime. Many European and Scandinavian countries have been using similar practices for many years, and other countries are adopting such policies from their neighbors. It is for this reason that we decided to consider in more detail the concept of daytime running lights, their types, purpose, requirements and other aspects of this topic.

What are daytime running lights

Daytime running lights are side lights (headlights) that are used for daytime lighting. There are both standard (installed by the factory) and additionally installed ones. Thanks to the use of such dimensions, the vehicle is better visible to others.

The presence of DRLs improves the visibility of your car to pedestrians and other motorists; this factor significantly reduces the risk of a car accident.

According to statisticians, after amendments were made to the traffic rules, the number of car accidents in our country decreased by half.

The absence of standard running lights entails drivers using other light sources that are not prohibited by law as an analogue. Let's look at the types and classifications of such analogues.

DRL classification

Driving lights- the most effective way to use. This type of headlight is installed on every car; it should be used only in the absence of oncoming cars, in order to avoid dazzling them, and better at night.

But as an analogue for DRLs, in the daytime, you can use the high beam in half a channel; this option is interesting because it provides brightness, and due to partial power use, energy consumption is reduced.

If connected correctly, the high beam can be used by 30%, and the switching on can be made automatic, which is what a large number of motorists use. But you should be extremely careful and attentive, since using high beam headlights requires certain knowledge and qualifications.

Low beam headlights- the most common method, which is used as DRL. Since these headlights do not require additional adjustment or intervention from the driver. Just turn it on and you're good to go. The disadvantage of using low beam is the high energy consumption, which can affect the battery charge. Also, according to the law, the use of low-beam headlights as an analogue of daytime running lights is permitted.

Fog lights– the name speaks for itself, this type of size is not designed for use as a DRL, it is designed for use in foggy weather and with insufficient visibility. An absolute plus is, of course, energy consumption. The disadvantage of this option is that the headlights are located too low and the light of such headlights is often yellow, which reduces visibility in the daytime. Also, the headlight power is lower than in other options. Nevertheless, the use of this type of dimensions as an analogue of DRLs is not prohibited.

Additional (independent) headlights– the most ideal option for using dimensions as DRLs. These headlights are designed for daytime lighting. As has already been said, such headlights are not installed standard on many cars, and this is precisely the disadvantage of this option. Connection and installation will require certain costs. It will also be necessary to make changes to the design of the factory assembly of the car, which should not be done independently, without experience and skills in this direction. The undoubted advantages are durability, brightness, and minimal energy consumption.

There are lamp and LED variations of additional headlights. An absolute plus, and probably the only one, of lamp products is their low cost. LED running lights have advantages such as low energy consumption, high brightness and long service life. The LED version also dazzles oncoming drivers much less.

Philips LED DayLight8
HELLA LEDayFlex 8,
Osram Led Riving FOG
EgoLight DRL-D70/DRL-120Р18

Regulatory requirements for DRL

When choosing DRLs for your car, be sure to pay attention to the fact that the headlights must comply with the standards established by GOST.

Availability of two dimensions on the vehicle. The headlights must be located on the front of the car; to fully verify this condition, the light emitted by the headlights should not be reflected in mirrors or other mirror surfaces.
At a height of no less than 25 and no more than 150 centimeters from the ground. A distance of no more than 60 centimeters must be maintained between two headlights. From the overall dimensions to the extreme point of the car - no more than 40 centimeters. The direction of the headlights must be forward.
The daytime running lights should turn on automatically when the ignition is turned on. It also turns off automatically when the car changes to other dimensions, if necessary.
It is necessary to observe the angle at which the light will come from. Horizontal plane – 200. Vertical plane – 100. Pay special attention to this point, since this is what drivers most often violate.
And the main parameter is to use only white lights; you may be fined for using other colors.

Traffic rules requirements

Let's consider the requirements for daytime running lights, which are established by law and specified in the traffic regulations. On November 20, 2010, an amendment was made that requires the use of DRLs during the daytime. In paragraph 3.3. It also says that you cannot use a vehicle on which the dimensions used to consecrate the vehicle are dirty.

If your DRLs are not installed according to the GOST rules, which we studied above, you may also be subject to penalties of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

To install additional headlights that are planned to be used as DRLs, you will need to obtain permission from the traffic police; We do not recommend installing it yourself, even if you follow all the rules.

Please note that even if you installed the DRL with minor violations, and the traffic police did not notice this, the next technical inspection will reveal that the installation was carried out without permission, and this will entail additional costs.

Responsibility for violating traffic rules

For violating traffic regulations, you can receive a fine of 500 rubles from a traffic police officer, and this is for the absence of one headlight. For the first time you can get off with a warning. Let’s also take a quick look at what other types of violations you can get a fine for.

I am glad to welcome everyone to our website! Today in the "" section we'll talk about this: isn't it a violation of traffic rules to use fog lights (FTL) instead of daytime running lights (DRLs) as well as low beam headlights.

You all know that according to paragraph 19.5 of the traffic rules of the Russian Federation, “During daylight hours, low beam headlights or daytime running lights must be turned on on all moving vehicles for the purpose of identifying them.” In this regard, many motorists have counter-questions, namely: is it possible to use dimensions or PTF instead of DRLs and whether this would be a violation of the rules, which may entail a protocol and a corresponding fine.

Some motorists were not just confused, they were outraged and puzzled by the question of why turn on the running lights, and even more so the low beam, during daylight hours? The fact is that studies have shown that when driving along the highway at high speeds, drivers react better to vehicles with DRLs or low beam headlights on. This allows you to notice approaching vehicles in time and perform the maneuver in time. In general, in a word, turning on the lights during the day is aimed at reducing accidents that occur during the daytime.

We seem to have sorted this out, but what about the differences between DRLs or side lights?

The problem is that the design of modern headlights sometimes seriously confuses car owners, who themselves do not fully understand that they have turned on the running lights or headlights. Why is this so critical? Yes, because DRLs are allowed to be used as a light source; this will not be a violation and will not entail penalties. What can’t be said about the “dimensions”; you can’t use them instead of daytime running lights, as well as low beam headlights! That's why this point is very important.

Why were side lights banned, and what was wrong with them? The fact is that “dimensions”, unlike DRLs, serve to designate a vehicle in the dark, but in the daytime they are of little use. The light they emit is not enough during the daytime, because it is very weak and invisible (power is about 5 Watts), so they are prohibited from being used instead of low beams, as well as daytime running lights. Brightness according to GOST (GOST R 41.48-2004) should be in the range from 400 to 800 candelas.

It would seem that everything is simple: there are no daytime running lights - turn on the low lights and live in peace... But, not everything is so simple. The fact is that constantly switched on low beam leads to premature failure of lamps, the price of which can reach several hundred dollars. In addition, it has been proven that headlights increase fuel consumption (about 0.5 liters per 100 km), the cost of which has not pleased anyone lately... In short, whatever one may say, it is not profitable to drive with the low beam always on.

What about fog lights, can they be used instead of low beams and DRLs?

This question turns out to be of concern to many and here’s why. The fact is that not everyone has daytime running lights; as we found out, you can’t drive with the lights on, and turning on the low lights is not profitable from an economic point of view. But everyone has a mailbox, and they are less voracious in terms of energy consumption. But the question is, is it possible to use PTF instead of DRL? The answer to this question can be found in the traffic rules.

clause 9.4. Fog lights can be used:

in conditions of poor visibility with low or high beam headlights;
at night on unlit sections of roads in conjunction with low or high beam headlights;
instead of low beam headlights in accordance with paragraph 19.5 of the Rules.

The only caveat is that on some cars, fog lights work exclusively in conjunction with low beam headlights, so many refuse this alternative to daytime running lights.

Let's sum it up

As you can see, there is a way out. You can drive the middle one if you are not too worried about fuel consumption and the depletion of light bulbs. You can also use PTF if they are installed on your car, this will not be a violation of the rules and you will not have any questions from the inspectors. The third option is to install daytime running lights. DRLs consume significantly less energy compared to low beam headlights, as well as PTF, while they shine brighter than their dimensions and are clearly visible at any time of the day - therefore they are the most profitable and acceptable option!

They tell us that according to the rules, moving vehicles must have daytime running lights or low beam headlights on, which will clearly indicate the car on the roadway.

allows drivers to use fog lights during the day instead of running lights or low beam headlights.

The Administrative Code establishes in two articles penalties for lack of daylight:

It is said that if the driver simply violated the rules, then he will receive warning or fine.
This could include a situation where the driver forgot to turn on the light.
says that the same fine can be received if the running lights or low beams are faulty, this is another violation in which operation of the vehicle is prohibited.
Faults include, for example, light bulbs not working or headlights being too dirty.

The Traffic Rules indicate that, subject to safety precautions, you can drive with these faults to the repair site or parking lot. In this matter, the traffic rules and the Code of Administrative Offenses contradict each other.

Punishment for violation

A car driving without lights falls under two articles of the Administrative Code. For driving with the headlights not on, the employee has the right to give a written warning and release the negligent motorist, and may issue a fine of 500 rubles.

If the running lights or low beams are faulty, then driving such a vehicle is prohibited. The Code provides for the same type of punishment: warning or fine of 500 rubles.

There are also several nuances associated with running lights:

You can receive a fine if drive with running lights in the evening and at night- You should switch to low beam.
If fog lights were turned on instead of running lights, you should also remember to switch to low beam when evening comes, otherwise a fine cannot be avoided.
The fine is inevitable if a traffic police officer sees homemade running lights. In vehicles that do not have them, you can install daytime running lights, but you must first obtain permission to do so.
If the running lights are not installed correctly and blind other drivers, this also falls under the article. There is a standard that describes exactly how these lights should be configured - GOST R 41.48-2004.

Who determines the level of responsibility?

The traffic police officer decides on the spot whether to issue a fine or limit himself to a warning. He looks at the situation how the driver behaves, how often he had violations, other mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

It's more of a human factor. But for the first such violation, you can count on a written warning.

If a car gets into a car with the exterior lights not turned on, it automatically becomes the culprit of the accident! Even if he complied with all other traffic rules and was not actually at fault.

Driving without running lights or daytime running lights turned on automatically creates an emergency situation on the road, because the car becomes less noticeable to other road users.

If the traffic police officer is going to issue a fine, but the driver does not agree, then first the protocol is written, and then a decision is made.

The driver has the right to challenge the decision of the traffic police officer in the traffic police department or in court, if he has arguments in his defense. To do this, the protocol must describe as accurately as possible what the driver disagrees with and what the road conditions were.

It is advisable to provide a photo or video, confirming the absence of a violation. In special cases, even a voice recorder recording of a conversation with a traffic police officer can help the driver! The driver is given only 10 days to challenge.

Penalties for not turning on running lights are small - this minimum fine for. But the importance of switched on, and most importantly, correctly switched on lights is very often underestimated by road users.

If a car does not have illumination, it can simply not be noticed or be misleading to other drivers. Such carelessness can lead to serious accidents.

Therefore, for your own safety, never forget to turn on your daytime running lights or low beams- make your presence known on the road!