ROADSIDE CHAT – BE MERRY & BRIGHT, TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS
Q: What did one Christmas tree say to the other?
A: You need to lighten up!
At the holidays, there’s magic and merriment in the air, and corny jokes too. But when it comes to traffic safety this time of year, making sure our travels are bright is no laughing matter. Turning on your headlights isn’t only about seeing your way over the valley and through the woods, but also ensuring that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians can see you.
Using your headlights properly can make all the difference. The general rule is when visibility is compromised, turn them on. These are the most common situations where headlights provide assistance to you and others:
- Low-light conditions: After sunset, before sunrise.
- Adverse weather: Rain, snow, fog, heavy mist.
- Poorly-lit roads: Highways, country roads with limited lighting.
- Construction zones: Reduced visibility due to debris or uneven surfaces.
- Windshield wipers: Low visibility due to precipitation.
High-beam headlights should be used thoughtfully. Reserve them for rural unlit roads where extra visibility is needed and oncoming traffic is low. Daytime running lights are a helpful feature on some vehicles, but we shouldn’t rely on them alone. They typically don’t activate taillights, making the rear of your car hard to see in low-visibility situations.
Remember, your headlights can keep you and everyone else on the road safe. When in doubt, turn them on – it's better to be seen than sorry this holiday season.
In 2024 in Iowa, 327 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of nine since last Friday. In Iowa in 2023, there were 377 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf