Semi-Truck Parking Lights

[Fred Defender]

Here's something that I've been wondering about for quite some time. I'm a newbie to this forum but figured that, surely, someone on these boards can answer this for me:

Why the high percentage of semi-tractors driving with ONLY parking lights? I assume that some of the newer models have the "safety improvement" of always-on "running lights" a la Cadillac. But, for the most part, they're not running lights - they're PARKING lights. And at an early age, I was taught to NOT drive with your parking lights (only) lit. There's a reason why they're called "parking lights" (a prize to anyone who can guess what they're designed for).

Now, let's assume that they're of the always-on type: Why not just reach down and flip your headlight switch on? In other words, if you're driving with parking lights lit, presumably to make yourself more visible, don't headlights make you that much more visible? Burning your headlights, in addition to your parking lights, doesn't consume more fuel, does it?

Yes - little s*** bugs the c*** out of me.

[Scott5114]

I've never come across an instance of this. I would guess you're either seeing something particular to Florida or confirmation bias is making it seem more prevalent than you think it is.

[Brian556]

I've seen them doing that a lot, particularly at sunset. And yes, it is wrong. You would think that "professional" drivers would know better.
If it's dark enough for the parking lights to even be visible, it's defiantly dark enough for headlights. The whole purpose of having lights on is to make yourself more visible.

[Fred Defender]

I've seen them doing that a lot, particularly at sunset. And yes, it is wrong. You would think that "professional" drivers would know better.
If it's dark enough for the parking lights to even be visible, it's defiantly dark enough for headlights. The whole purpose of having lights on is to make yourself more visible.

Spot-on, Brian. I see them driving with PL only at all hours of the day. But, yes, particularly at dusk.

I've never come across an instance of this. I would guess you're either seeing something particular to Florida or confirmation bias is making it seem more prevalent than you think it is.

Really? Perhaps they enforce the law in OK. Perhaps lack of observation is making it seem less prevalent than you think it is.

I wouldn't call it a majority of truckers that do it here in FL; but it is a sizable percentage. Just from casual observation, I'd say close to one-third.

[SteveG1988]

What happens is that your eyes adjust to the level of light, and you don't realize it is that dark until someone flashes their lights at you.

[1995hoo]

.... The whole purpose of having lights on is to make yourself more visible.

I think a lot of people, regardless of whether they're "professional drivers," do not understand this principle and think headlights are to be used when you need them to see where you're going. I don't know of any other explanation for why people drive, for example, white cars in driving snow with no lights on.

[SteveG1988]

Driving in the rain without lights on is something that irks me.

[Brandon]

Driving in the rain without lights on is something that irks me.

Ditto, as with driving in the fog without lights.  How the fuck can I avoid you if I can't even see you in the pea soup?

[SteveG1988]

Daytime running lights should have a sensor, that kicks them off when it is really dark out. that way you actually turn your lights on.

[jeffandnicole]

I've seen cops drive with parking lights on. As long as a trucker (or anyone) is only doing it when headlights aren't needed (night/rain/fog), it doesn't bother me.

Snow on the other hand is tricky. Because of the glare, I'll sometimes only use parking lights while plowing in order to see better.

[SSOWorld]

I've seen cops drive with parking lights on. As long as a trucker (or anyone) is only doing it when headlights aren't needed (night/rain/fog), it doesn't bother me.

Snow on the other hand is tricky. Because of the glare, I'll sometimes only use parking lights while plowing in order to see better.

Um, parking lights just don't cut the fog (not mustard).  Coming at me with just those on in fog?  Might as well stay off the damn road.

Why do you think they have the nanny laws? (Lights on when wipers on for example)

[andrewkbrown]

Daytime running lights should have a sensor, that kicks them off when it is really dark out. that way you actually turn your lights on.

My 1999 Toyota Camry has a sensor on the dash that automatically turns on the headlights while driving at a certain low-light condition, or within 15-20 seconds of turning the car on at night. I cannot drive at night with just parking lights, or even park the car with just parking lights at night, as the headlights are always on at night until I turn the car off.

I have to be reminded to turn on the headlights if I'm driving another car at night, since I'm so accustomed to never turning any switch on my own car for headlights.

[Pete from Boston]

I've seen cops drive with parking lights on. As long as a trucker (or anyone) is only doing it when headlights aren't needed (night/rain/fog), it doesn't bother me.

Snow on the other hand is tricky. Because of the glare, I'll sometimes only use parking lights while plowing in order to see better.

If I could drive with only my fog lights in heavy snow, I would, but the headlight shut-off overrides them.

[formulanone]

I've seen this a lot too, but it's probably still one truck out of one hundred. But I swear I've seen truckers do this in other states, too. I'll just chalk it up to forgetfulness, since there's lots of autos and light truck drivers that do this, too.

Daytime running lights should have a sensor, that kicks them off when it is really dark out. that way you actually turn your lights on.

Some sensors are better than others; I had one car (it's over 20 years old now) which wouldn't automatically sense darkness until the sun was about ten minutes from setting. So you still had to turn on lights for fog, dusk, or rain. The setting was just for forgetful people who drove at night.

[roadman]

Daytime running lights should have a sensor, that kicks them off when it is really dark out. that way you actually turn your lights on.

My 1999 Toyota Camry has a sensor on the dash that automatically turns on the headlights while driving at a certain low-light condition, or within 15-20 seconds of turning the car on at night. I cannot drive at night with just parking lights, or even park the car with just parking lights at night, as the headlights are always on at night until I turn the car off.

I have to be reminded to turn on the headlights if I'm driving another car at night, since I'm so accustomed to never turning any switch on my own car for headlights.

My 2012 Ford Focus has a similar feature, which is activated through a setting on the headlight switch.  It will automatically turn the headlights on in darkness and when the windshield wipers are activated.

Personally, I've never felt the need to use this feature, but a friend of mine who has a Focus similar to mine swears by it.

[SignBridge]

Many years back before the laws required headlights with wipers on, my Dad used his headlights on rainy days, believing it was a good practice. At the same time on rainy days I too would see truckers (especially on the New Jersey Turnpike) running with parking/tail and clearance lights on, but not headlights.

I had the same thought back then as a teenager that the original poster asked. Why goof around with parking lights and not just turn on the headlights, to make sure they see you? I think back then as another poster said, maybe people didn't see the need for headlights until it got dark enough that you needed to light up the roadway in front of you to see.   

[Pete from Boston]

The best use of parking lights alone is for setting up a tent late enough that you don't want to shine your headlights in the next tent over.

The next ten best uses of parking lights alone are, combined, about as useful.