SDA (rules traffic) Russian Federation 2015.
19. Use of external lights and sound signals

19.1. IN dark time days and under conditions insufficient visibility regardless of road lighting, as well as in tunnels on a moving vehicle, the following must be switched on: lighting fixtures:

• on all motor vehicles and mopeds - high or low beam headlights, on bicycles - headlights or lanterns, on horse-drawn carts - lanterns (if any);
• on trailers and towed motor vehicles - parking lights.

19.2. High beam must be switched to low beam:

• in settlements, if the road is lit;
• at an oncoming pass at a distance of at least 150 m from the vehicle, as well as at a greater distance, if the driver of the oncoming vehicle periodic switching headlights will show the need for this;

• in any other cases, to exclude the possibility of blinding drivers of both oncoming and passing vehicles.

When blinded, the driver must turn on alarm and without changing lane, slow down and stop.

19.3. When stopping and parking at night on unlit sections of roads, as well as in conditions of insufficient visibility, the side lights must be switched on on the vehicle. In conditions of insufficient visibility, in addition to the marker lights, dipped beam headlights can be switched on, fog lights and rear fog lights.

19.4. Fog lights can be used:

• in conditions of insufficient visibility with near or high beam headlights;
• at night on unlit sections of roads together with dipped or main beam headlights;
• instead of dipped headlights in accordance with clause 19.5 of the Rules.

19.5. During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must turn on dipped-beam headlights or daytime running lights to identify them. running lights.

19.6. The searchlight and searchlight may only be used outside settlements in the absence of oncoming vehicles. In populated areas, only drivers of vehicles equipped in the prescribed manner can use such headlights. flashing beacons of blue color and special sound signals, when performing an urgent service task.

19.7. The rear fog lamps can only be used in low visibility conditions. Do not connect rear fog lights to brake lights.

19.8. The identification sign "Road train" must be turned on when the road train is moving, and at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, in addition, during its stop or parking.

19.10. Sound signals can only be used:

• to warn other drivers of the intention to overtake outside built-up areas;
• in cases where it is necessary to prevent a traffic accident.

The first and second characters are allowed to serve sound signal only to prevent a traffic accident. The third sign, in addition, allows the use of a sound signal also to attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle that you are overtaking

But everyone who does not turn on either the dipped beam or the daytime running lights (DRL) on the go are violators. The fact is that since the fall of 2010, the Rules require the driver of a moving vehicle to turn on either DRL, or low beam, or fog lights at any time of the day or night. And it doesn't matter whether you are driving along a city street or a country road. Violation of this requirement threatens, according to Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, with a fine of 500 rubles or a warning to a police officer. However, in practice, few drivers pay attention to such a probability, and most of the cars drive during the day with their headlights off.

A similar situation has developed due to the fact that if they appear on the road now, they are interested in much more “bread” violations of traffic rules such as drinking while driving, speeding over 40 km / h, driving into an oncoming lane, etc. So it is considered that driving with headlights off is not a violation. Approximately the same as talking on the phone while driving and leaving the stop line in front of a traffic light. Although about a year ago, the deputy head of the Moscow TsODD, Dmitry Gorshkov, said that the capital's cameras for automatically fixing violations were already behind the switched off lights:

The technology has already been developed and soon We are planning to launch it. IN automatic mode fully. We, most likely, will include this functionality on all cameras of the city, - he said.

However, in the year that has passed since then, no one else has heard anything about automatic fines without dipped beam. Note that if the driver turned on the headlights in good faith, but one of them does not light up (for example, the light bulb is out of order), he will also be fined. But already under another article of the Code of Administrative Offenses - 12.5 for "Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited." It also provides for either 500-ruble, or a warning.

The fact is that the list of malfunctions of the Basic Provisions for the Admission of Vehicles to Operation, under which it is impossible to drive a car, contains clause 3.3 “They do not work in the established mode or external lighting devices and retroreflectors are dirty.”

And talking about automotive light, it is impossible not to at least casually recall the rules for using high-beam headlights. turn it on at night, with insufficient visibility and in tunnels. The driver must switch from far to near at an oncoming siding 150 meters before the oncoming car; in all cases when the distant one can blind drivers of oncoming vehicles and in built-up areas if the road is lit. At the same time, clause 19.11 of the SDA allows the driver to “blink” the distant ones to warn of overtaking.

Many traveling on the roads of the fatherland cars staffed fog lights. Others are included in basic equipment vehicles, other drivers install themselves. At the same time, few people are guided by practical considerations, more often taking care of the aesthetic appearance of their car.

Whenever towards the car is moving, sparkling with numerous lights, oncoming drivers get stressed. The fact is that an excess of light blinds them, making it difficult to follow road conditions . This often results in dangerous traffic situations. Therefore, each motorist should know about how to use fog lights.

The name itself suggests that they are designed to help drivers in low visibility conditions. Many, especially representatives of the younger generation, are poorly versed in terminology, sincerely believing that visibility in the dark is considered insufficient. In fact, the term applies exclusively to weather conditions.

Include front fog lights only possible during heavy fog, rain or snowfall. This is about using additional light at the same time as the main one. When road conditions due to worsening weather become difficult, thanks to fog lights, not only does visibility improve slightly, but the moving vehicle itself becomes more visible, which helps the driver behind the wheel to judge much better traffic situation.

However, if the weather is fine, use the fog lights at the same time as running light not worth it. Such vehicle is perceived by other drivers as a huge shining spot, which is the source of heightened danger. If you are not ready to give up fog lights then at least disable dipped beam. Thanks to this, a normal balance in the operation of lighting devices will be restored, which will inevitably have a positive effect on safety.

It is also worth remembering how to use rear fog lamp. It is worth noting here that not every driver knows about its existence. However, in all modern cars he is. It is turned on by pressing or pulling out the toggle switch responsible for the operation of the dipped beam and side lights.

Light rear fog light so bright and, if I may say so, poisonous that it irritates the eyes of drivers following you. Therefore, the use of this device is strictly regulated. rear fog light it is strictly forbidden to include in the urban cycle. However, it can also be used on the track only if insufficient visibility caused by heavy fog.

By the way, please note that installing additional fog lights must be carried out only in certified centers and with the approval of the vehicle manufacturer. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the lighting fixtures will be selected incorrectly. Well, in those situations when there is a threat to the safety of someone's health or life, it is by no means impossible to neglect the recommendations and instructions.

One of the next common traffic violations that drivers on the territory of Russia allow is the dipped headlights that are not turned on. Despite the fact that changes in traffic rules have been adopted for a long time, some car owners still make them, as a result of which they receive a fine for not turning on the headlights.

As a result different situations dipped headlights may not be turned on not only due to ignorance of traffic rules or simple forgetfulness, but also in cases of a non-working headlight. In all situations, the perpetrator will be punished with an administrative fine.

It is worth recalling that innovations regarding the inclusion of light lights, dipped beam or running lights during daylight hours were approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on November 20, 2010. Starting from this time, drivers must drive with the dipped beam on their cars at all times, both day and night. Rumor has it that from April 1, 2018 this rule has changed and now you can not turn on the headlights during the day, but this is not true, there are no amendments to the law about this, here is the latest official version.

The main reason for the adoption of the innovation is that cars with headlights on are more visible and attract more attention from both pedestrians and motorists themselves. The result was not long in coming - the number of accidents on the roads in some cases has significantly decreased. The adopted law in the SDA turned out to be effective, therefore, it requires compliance.

What is the penalty?

Before you get behind the wheel of a car and start driving, you need to check if all lighting, including the dipped beam, which must be turned on. You can’t drive without headlights on during the day, this is a violation and a fine is provided for this.

Based on Art. 12.20 of the Code of Offenses for wrong work lighting devices of a car, an administrative fine of 500 rubles is imposed on the driver or, in best case, the traffic police inspector can issue a warning.

In most cases, drivers who have committed this violation simply forget that they need to turn on their headlights during the day in the city. And due to the fact that the included low beam during the day is difficult to determine, then similar situations very common on the roads.

In addition to the fine for not turning on the dipped beam, there are other similar violations. Fines for incorrect operation of lighting devices can be issued in the following cases:

• turning on high beams in the city. This problem relevant at night, when before entering the city, drivers forget to turn off the far. Therefore, a fine is also provided for such a movement;
• rear use fog lights not on purpose. Rear fog lights, according to the traffic rules, are recommended to be used only in case of poor visibility, for example, in heavy fog, heavy rain, snow blizzard, etc.
• driving with running lights at night. Due to their forgetfulness, some drivers make a mistake when, with DRLs turned on during the day, they forget to turn on the dipped beam during the onset of twilight, as well as at night.

The statutory fine of 500 rubles is now not so significant, so some citizens believe that this can be neglected. It is worth noting here that in the event of an accident between two cars, when it turns out that the victim did not turn on the low beam, the traffic police inspectors can recognize both drivers as the culprits. In this case, the issue of compensation by the insurance company will arise, it will either refuse the insurance payment to the victim, or compensate only half the amount for the damage received.

Can fog lights be used?

Based on clause 19.4 traffic rules fog lights can be used in difficult weather conditions, when visibility is difficult for one reason or another. They can be switched on on the car both together with the dipped beam in the city or simultaneously with the high-beam and position lights.

In connection with the adopted new law in the SDA on the dipped headlights during the day and running lights, fog lights were equated to them. Based on this, it is allowed to turn on and manage only fog lights during the day - this will not be considered a violation of traffic rules and, accordingly, there is no penalty for this. It turns out that during the day you need to drive with low beam headlights, DRLs or fog lights.

Penalty for a non-working headlight

On the roads you can often find cars in which one headlight does not light up, it can be like a lamp rear light and front low beam. In such cases, the offense will not be equated to a violation of the operation of lighting devices. The presence of a non-working headlight violates the rule of the list of requirements for the presence of a malfunction in the car in which movement is prohibited. Namely, paragraph 3.3 of the rules "on the presence of faulty lighting fixtures."

A similar penalty is provided for a non-working headlight - 500 rubles or a warning (Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Violations).

In addition, according to the rules of the traffic rules (clause 2.3.1), driving with incorrectly working lighting devices in the dark or without them and in their complete absence is equated to a violation. Which also further emphasizes that driving a car around the city in such cases is not allowed.

Conclusion

The fine for not turning on the low beam front lamps, and also if one of them burned out, is only 500 rubles. Considering that a car with a burning front light catches the eye better, this should by no means be neglected. It should also be borne in mind that if the headlight burned out, then it is forbidden to continue driving further.

The time to turn on the headlights of a car is not a whim of the driver, but a point clearly stated in the rules of the road. A special section describes all the conditions in which you need to light running lights, high and low beams and fog lights. We will tell you which headlights should be on during the day and what the driver needs to know so that there are no controversial moments on the road.

Points of traffic rules about dipped headlights during the day

Rules of the road, clause 19.5, tell us that any moving vehicle must identify itself with a BS or daytime running lights. Paragraph 19.4 allows the use of fog lamps for marking the vehicle.

For violation of these rules, a written warning from a traffic police officer or a fine under one of the two articles of the Code is provided. administrative offenses RF:

• article 12.20 says that if the driver simply forgot to mark his vehicle with light signals, then he may receive a warning or a fine of 500 rubles;

• article 12.5 says that the driver must pay the same fine of 500 rubles if one or both headlights are faulty. In this case, the operation of the car is prohibited until the malfunction is eliminated. The same applies to extremely dirty glass and burnt out light bulbs.

There is also a controversial point that many motorists forget or do not take into account.

During the day, the driver uses foglights and enters the tunnel, and at the exit he receives a fine for not included in accordance with the rules SDA headlights. He is stopped by a traffic police officer due to the fact that the driver violated paragraph 19.1 of the traffic rules, which establishes that when entering the tunnel it is necessary to switch from fog lights to dipped beam. The same goes for DHO.

In addition to these rules, the rules of the road allow the use of the BS as an addition to the marker lights (but not instead of them) in conditions of insufficient visibility. This is not so important, since such a car poses a danger primarily to passing vehicles.

What headlights need to travel during the day

In early 2006, all Russian drivers were required to daytime use the BS when driving outside settlements. Since 10/20/10, this item has been revised, and now every driver is required to turn on the BS or DRL when driving on any highways.

Failure to comply with these rules is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles or a warning, so motorists had no choice but to start complying with it. However, the debate about how effective and relevant this rule has not subsided. Some said that a car marked with light is easier to see in conditions of insufficient visibility (in fog, during heavy rain, twilight and in the forest), while others complained that due to such a rule, fuel consumption would be higher, and bulbs would burn out more often. Let's try to figure this out.

Should it be included low light during the day

In total, BS bulbs, dimensions and car number plate lighting require about 150 watts of power. Diode DRL lamps - approximately 15 watts. For comparison, an air conditioner requires 4500 watts, about 30 times more. Therefore, an economical motorist should first of all refuse air comfortable temperature in the cabin, and not from the included light bulbs. If we translate power into fuel consumption, then BS lamps and the rest of the backlight increase consumption by approximately 100 ml of gasoline per hour.

Why turn on the headlights during the day

It turns out that the motorist loses practically nothing from the included running lights, so it’s worth talking about what he gets, except for the 500 rubles saved on a fine.

There are several situations when a car without headlights is practically invisible, even with DRLs or fog lights on. They are not as rare as they seem.

1. In the forest, against the background of trees, the car is already lost at a distance of 150-200 meters - this is the perception of the human eye. This effect can be especially noticed in winter, when an even layer of snow covers the trees and the ground - then all objects on a white sheet seem to be noise. Of course, it is rare to see another car in a dense forest, and usually the speed of a vehicle in such an area is low. But still, you should not save 100-300 milliliters of gasoline and neglect safety.

1. When driving on the highway in cloudy weather, the car is still noticeable at a distance of 200-300 meters, especially if it is alone on the road. But as soon as other cars appear, but with the headlights on, it is lost and almost does not stand out from the background. With an increase in the distance to 700-900 meters, even DRLs will not help to distinguish the car.

In general, the included BS lights help not to get lost in the traffic flow and be seen by other drivers when changing lanes. For pedestrians, however, vehicle detection time is critical due to the difference in speed.

If it still seems like you don't need to turn on your headlights during the day in the city, then here is a study by experts that supports turning on the low beam. On average, the probability of an accident for a driver is reduced by 13 percent. This figure is made up of many others: including, the chances of a pedestrian being reduced by 15%, a cyclist - by 10%, frontal and side collisions - by 10%.

The only thing that turned on the BS is bad is that it is more difficult to notice brake signals in dense stream. This can be avoided by installing an additional brake light on the rear window.

conclusions

Daytime running lights consume a minimum amount of energy and practically do not affect the wealth of the motorist. The situation is approximately the same with low beam headlights - constantly on, they will cost the driver 100 milliliters of gasoline every hour, which is approximately 4 rubles.

But by spending these four rubles for every hour of driving, the driver saves something more significant - meters and seconds, which allow him to make the right decision in time and maneuver safely in the stream. This is especially important for pedestrians and in conditions of insufficient visibility: in cloudy weather, fog, rain or in the forest.