The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. This means more drivers will be on the roads in the dark. Most drivers know that the best way to get home safely in the dark is by using their headlights. But did you know that not all headlights are created equal? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just released a study on headlights. Below we will discuss the results of the study as well as important headlight laws and headlight safety tips.
We hope the below headlight safety information helps protect you on the road. If another driver injures you because of their headlights, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
As a Las Vegas accident victim, you don’t want to fight alone against insurance companies. They do not have your best interests in mind. Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Insurance companies and other parties are not interested in helping you receive what you should as a victim in a Las Vegas car accident. You need an experienced car accident lawyer with a proven track record of winning cases like yours, for significant compensation. Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience winning top compensation for Las Vegas car accident victims.
Don’t wait to contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyers. Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in car accident cases. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
IIHS Headlight Study
IIHS is an independent organization focused, in part, on reducing motor vehicle crashes. At night, motor vehicle crash rates are significantly higher than crash rates during the day. Vehicle headlights are an important nighttime safety feature for drivers and pedestrians. In 2015, IIHS began testing and rating headlight systems. This effort began, in part, because of “research indicating a wide range of headlight performance in the passenger vehicle fleet and the absence of a comprehensive and objective consumer evaluation program.”
Last month, IIHS released a study titled:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the following:
- Headlight visibility, as quantified by IIHS
- Real-world crash occurrence
IIHS Headlight Study Results
The study found that good IIHS headlight ratings were linked to lower crash rates. Essentially, “vehicles with better headlight visibility have lower nighttime crash rates.”
What does this mean for you? When considering the safety of a vehicle, you should include headlight visibility as a consideration. This is especially important if you frequently engage in night driving.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Nevada Headlight Laws
Headlight ratings are not the only factor that you should consider when thinking about headlight safety. You should also follow headlight laws. In Nevada, drivers must abide by certain headlight laws including those provided below.
Nevada Revised Statute 484D.100
Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 484D.100 states when lighted lamps are required. NRS 484D.100 provides the following:
- Every vehicle upon a highway of this State, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as stated in chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, must display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as respectively required in this chapter for different classes of vehicles:
(a) At any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise;
(b) At any other time when, because of insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead; and
(c) When directed by an official traffic control device.
- Every vehicle upon a highway must be equipped with stop lights, turn signals and other signaling devices to be lighted in the manner prescribed for the use of such devices.
Nevada Revised Statute 484D.105
NRS 484D.105 provides guidance on distance of visibility and mounted height of lamps. NRS 484D.105 states the following:
- Whenever there is a requirement as to distance from which lighted lamps and illuminating devices shall be visible, such requirements shall apply during the times and conditions specified in NRS 484D.100 and measured as though the vehicle were unloaded and upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is specified.
- Whenever there is a requirement as to the mounted height of such lamps or devices, such height shall be measured from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when the vehicle is unloaded.
Nevada Revised Statute 484D.110
NRS 484D.110 places requirements on the number and location of headlamps on motor vehicles. NRS 484D.110 provides the following:
- Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or moped, shall be equipped with at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
- Every headlamp upon every motor vehicle shall be located at a height, measured from the center of the headlamp, of not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches to be measured in the manner set forth in NRS 484D.105.
- Snow removal equipment used in clearing snow from highways and other special mobile equipment which by the nature of its design makes it impracticable to comply with the requirements of subsection 2 may have such headlamps located at a height higher than 54 inches.
Headlight Safety Tips
The more you drive in the dark, the more concerned you should be with headlight safety. This includes considering headlight ratings and following headlight laws. You can also stay safe on the roads this fall with the following headlight safety tips:
- Check your headlight ratings. Depending on your headlight ratings and how much you drive at night, you may want to consider safer headlights.
- Review your owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual provides important information about your vehicle’s headlights. At a bare minimum, you should know how to turn the headlights on and off.
- Check your headlights regularly. Make sure your headlights are clean and work properly. Immediately replace any damaged or nonworking bulbs. Do not drive with nonworking bulbs.
- Make it easy. You can make headlight use easier by activating automatic headlight settings on your vehicle. If automatic headlight settings are not available, simply make headlight use a habit. How do you make headlight use a habit? Turn them on at the first sign of sunset.
- Look out for others. It can be easy to forget to turn on your headlights. If you notice that another driver isn’t using their headlights, give them a warning. How do you warn them? Simply flash your headlights. If another driver flashes you, check that your headlights are on.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope the above discussion helps prepare you for night driving in Las Vegas. If another driver injures you in Las Vegas because of their headlights, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Award-winning law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. When we say we offer personal injury law experience, we mean over 25 years of experience. This is the combination of knowledge and expertise you need to win significant compensation as a victim in a Las Vegas area car accident. Our decades of experience, our expertise, plus our deep familiarity with all aspects of Nevada law, give you a powerful advantage. Plus, you won’t have to worry about affordability—we don’t get paid unless we win your Las Vegas car accident case.
If you want the best car accident attorneys in Las Vegas fighting for you, you need to speak with Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our experts offer you the best opportunity to win top compensation. Have our proven Las Vegas car accident attorneys put you in the best position to win significant compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Call or text (702) 857-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
