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Published on October 17, 2007

Some said they had been forced into accidents due to the high beams from oncoming traffic.

Many also said that automobile companies like to offer free equipment to buyers, with one such item being fog lights. However, these companies usually fail to inform customers about the correct use of these lights, and this is considered to be socially irresponsible.

Some readers also said that they had seen trucks and buses with large lamps fitted to the rear or side of the vehicle, which have the beam aimed to the rear. They are curious about whether this is illegal, and if it is, why do they see this so often with landfill trucks as well as worker-transport trucks belonging to industrial estates.

Let me explain the reason for these trucks fitting lights and aiming the beam to the rear. This is to brighten the area while they do their jobs at night. Usually when this is done you can also see

workers clearing out excess earth or sand from underneath the truck so that it does not sink the rear wheel when the job is done.

When working at night, the lights also help the truck driver see the workers clearly for safety reasons. These additional lights are also popular with trailers due to their length, which makes backing up or making tight turns at night a tricky affair.

Many truck drivers like to keep these lights on when driving, and this irritates other motorists on the road. Many times this leads to accidents and even fights.

According to the law, if there are any lights that aim to the back, they can be illuminated only when the vehicle is reversing. In no other circumstances are they to be switched on while the vehicle is on the road. It is therefore illegal after all if the lights are not connected to the reverse gear.

There is another type of light that causes even more irritation to motorists.

This is the hand-held spotlight, which is commonly used by boys on buses delivering workers to industrial estates. Whenever the driver wants to overtake, the bus boys like to flash the spotlight towards the vehicle in front without thinking how it might irritate other drivers.

Another type of lighting which may not be as irritating but could be confusing is the "disco brake lights", while some customised brake lights are way too bright and illegal as well.

We see these types of lights all the time and know where they are sold, but the authorities never take action, whether it be the police checkpoints or government safety organisations.

All we can do as good citizens is to warn those we know who are misusing their car lights to change their behaviour in order to create a safer society for all.

 E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

By Pattanadesh Asasappakij

The Nation

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.