The dark season - you travel a lot in the dark. It is all the more important that you ensure your own visibility.
It's dark on the way to work or school in the morning. In the late afternoon on the way back, the already breaks dusk at. In other words: Road users have to make sure that they see well - but also that they are seen well. This applies to motorists, but also to two-wheelers and pedestrians.
Many light problems are not recognized
Drivers rely on working headlights. These should be set correctly so that they illuminate the road well but do not dazzle other road users. In practice, however, the lighting system often shows deficiencies. In the current light test, 27,5 percent of the vehicles checked showed problems with the lighting. The most common defects were incorrectly adjusted headlights. This has consequences: Headlights that are adjusted too high dazzle oncoming traffic. If they are aimed too low, this affects the range of vision. Even vehicles that only have one working headlight can be found again and again. If oncoming traffic frequently makes "contact" with you using the headlight flasher, this could be an indication of incorrectly adjusted or defective headlights.
Anyone who is unsure whether the lighting system is working properly should have it checked by a workshop. You can also check it yourself. For this purpose, the low beam, high beam, brake light, fog lights, indicators and the reversing light are switched on one after the other when the vehicle is stationary. Meanwhile, a second person walks around the vehicle and checks whether the lights are working and shining brightly. When checking, one also makes sure that the light housing is not cloudy or misty.
Check windshield wipers
Before starting your car in late autumn and winter, you should always check whether the headlights are clean; if necessary, they can be quickly wiped off with a cloth. To ensure a good view, it is also advisable to clean the car windows thoroughly, both inside and out. In addition, the washer fluid should be filled with anti-freeze cleaner and the windshield wipers checked. If the squeegees are dirty, it helps to clean them with a soft brush and a damp cloth or to replace them if they are worn out.
Dark season affects everyone
Seeing and being seen well is of course also an issue for two-wheelers. Cyclists in particular are often out and about in the dark without lights. Ideally, they should regularly check the bicycle's lighting system to ensure that it is working properly. The road traffic regulations stipulate that the bike must have a front and rear light operated by battery or dynamo. In addition, spoke reflectors, pedal reflectors and reflectors to the front (white) and to the rear (red) are mandatory.
Speaking of reflectors: They increase the visibility of two-wheelers in the dark, but also of pedestrians. Reflective materials make people recognizable from a distance of around 130 meters. Children in particular should have reflectors on their jackets, hats and school bags. Reflective vests are an alternative. Yellow and white models are suitable because they shine brighter than red or blue. But reflective tapes with Velcro fasteners for arms and legs also do a good job.
