Fog lights
All three options for their use are indicated in paragraph 19.4. Thus, “fog lights” can be used in case of insufficient visibility and at night in unlit areas together with low or high beams. And also - instead of daytime running lights and low beams during daylight hours. At the same time, fog lights and rear fog lights are turned on and used separately, and these rules do not apply to lights, writes the Kolesa.ru website. The rules for using the latter are specified in clauses 19.3 and 19.7 of the Traffic Regulations.
On what basis are they fined?
There is an opinion that inspectors are trying to wean drivers from warning each other about ambushes and photo and video cameras to improve statistics. From a legislative point of view, traffic police officers refer to the same article 19 of the traffic rules, which prohibits the use of high beam headlights within populated areas. The fine for blinking high beam headlights is issued under Art. 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, it includes, among other things, violation of the rules for the use of lighting devices. The fine for such a violation is 500 rubles.
*If a fine was issued under Article 12.20 for improper use of car optics, the driver signed the protocol and agreed with the violation, it is to challenge the fine for blinking high beams . Inspectors will not indicate “blinking” in the protocol, and it will be difficult to prove that this is what the violation consisted of. Therefore, it is better that the traffic cop does not issue a fine.
Spotlight and searchlight
If they are installed, they can be used in accordance with clause 19.6 of the Traffic Regulations. According to it, ordinary drivers can use them only outside populated areas in the absence of oncoming traffic.
Many car owners have encountered the fact that after several years of active use of the car, the protective glass of the headlights becomes cloudy. The simplest thing, if funds allow, is to change the glass or headlight unit. However, it doesn't come cheap. You can restore transparency to your headlights not only at the service center, but also at home using improvised means, which will help save money.
It's legal to blink
There is a certain loophole in the law that may allow motorists to warn each other without being fined. In some situations, the driver is even required to signal with lights.
Thus, paragraph 19.2 of the Rules regulates that drivers can “blink”. This signal indicates a request to an oncoming motorist to switch to low beam. Such signs can be submitted both within the NP and outside it. It is only important to take into account that the signal must be sent at a distance of at least 150 meters.
You need to remember: if an oncoming driver is blinded by a light, he must immediately turn on the hazard lights and stop smoothly. There is no need to change lanes or pull over.
The second situation, which allows the motorist to give an intermittent signal, is also indicated in paragraph 19.11 of the Rules. Thus, drivers must blink their lights to warn other participants about overtaking. The light in this case is used together with the horn.
When stopped by inspectors, the driver can cite one of these provisions as justification for the action. If the inspector is adamant, you must make sure that the protocol on the violation contains a note indicating disagreement with the employee’s opinion. The driver must indicate that he gave the signal in accordance with the law.
Summarizing about blinking high beams on the highway
Here I would like to remember the proverb that the road to hell is paved with good deeds. Don't try to please everyone and everything. If you see a truck or bus in front of you, then you definitely shouldn’t blink. Because truckers, normal truckers, almost never exceed the speed limit. And even more so a bus driver. If they get caught, then we think it’s for the good, since these citizens should be the most responsible on our roads. As for speeding cars, you can warn them. Even if inspectors notice you and stop you, they won’t find a clause in the traffic rules that says you can’t switch from near to high for a short time.
Is there a fine for high beam headlights in 2021?
Yes. And not even alone. The good news here is that for most of these violations the amount of the traffic police fine will be the minimum allowable under the Administrative Code - 500 rubles. The bad news is that for some violations, in particular, for installing additional headlights, the car’s registration may be forcibly revoked.
Therefore, it is important to know and, most importantly, comply with all the following traffic rules requirements for lighting devices. We will talk about the amount of the fine below - in order to understand what the sanction is imposed for, you must first find out what kind of violations these may be.
How can you challenge a charge?
If, after blinking your headlights, you are stopped by a traffic police patrol, you need to act correctly in this situation to avoid a fine.
- Be calm and polite, try to use all your charm and talent as a diplomat. It can be mentioned that blinking high beams is not prohibited by law and a verbal warning is enough to disperse amicably. Promise that this will never happen again in the future and that you will be more careful when using the lighting devices installed on the car.
- In your defense, cite those paragraphs of the traffic rules that clearly describe situations when short-term switching from high beam to low beam is permitted and that there is nothing criminal in this. The inspector will understand that you interpret the rules correctly and will most likely wish you a “bon voyage.”
- If the situation has taken a serious turn and the inspector draws up a protocol in which he refers to clause 12.20, that is, he charges you with improper use of lighting devices, then you have every right to disagree with him.
- Read the document carefully and write the following in the explanations: “I do not agree with the violation. Acted in accordance with the traffic rules, and specifically clause 19.11.” Later, such a decision of the traffic police officer can be challenged in court and most likely the truth will be on your side.
IMPORTANT! From the beginning of 2021, the law allows vehicle owners to pay fines for traffic violations with a 50% discount. The main requirement is that payment must be received no later than 20 days from the date of the decision.
Don’t be afraid to fight for your rights; know that many motorists have managed to challenge the inspector’s decision and avoid a fine. The main thing is to be confident that you are right, follow the rules of the road and respect other drivers.
Examples of selfless help to strangers on the road deserve respect. Mutual assistance among motorists saves from many troubles and not a single driver will pass by if help is needed. The harmless flashing of lights has been used by drivers for many years as a warning sign, in response to which an oncoming car will signal “thank you”!
Fine for blinking high beams (Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation)
So, we take the traffic rules book and look for it. Although you can download the traffic rules virtually, that is, on the Internet. In fact, this document will be key to finding any flaws in the driver’s behavior. Thus, the entire section number 19 of the traffic rules is dedicated to the rules for using light and sound devices. We will quote the main thing.
19.2 High beam must be switched to low beam: in populated areas, if the road is illuminated; when passing oncoming traffic at a distance of at least 150 m from the vehicle, and also at a greater distance, if the driver of the oncoming vehicle periodically switching the headlights indicates the need for this; … 19.5. During daylight hours, all moving vehicles must have low-beam headlights or daytime running lights on to indicate them. … 11/19. To warn of overtaking, instead of a sound signal or together with it, a light signal may be given, which is a short-term switching of the headlights from low to high beam.
Here we have collected points that specifically provide for the facts of switching the light from high to low or vice versa. Please note that nothing is said here about briefly turning on or off the light. That is, in fact, blinking the light is not reflected in any way as a prohibited fact.
From this we can conclude that if an inspector stops a driver for blinking his lights, then he will have to look not for objective - direct facts of traffic violations, but for some alternative variations. If the inspector decides to issue a fine.
When a fine is inevitable
So, for offenses related to light, the driver may receive an administrative penalty:
- when the lighting is insufficient, and the driver drives only with running lights without low beams;
- if there is no lamp on the car, or the lighting is faulty, it turns on intermittently;
- when driving with high beams in the city;
- when fog lights are used incorrectly.
Penalties for such offenses are completely legal and justified, because improper use of lighting is fraught with accidents and traffic accidents. But car owners have the opportunity to save even on fines. The penalty must be paid within 20 days after its assignment, when a 50% discount applies.
Video on the topic:
Is it possible to drive with fog lights without low beams?
Very often, drivers do not know whether it is possible to use additional lights in the city or when entering a federal highway.
The law clearly regulates this aspect of traffic rules (clause 9.4).
PTF (fog lights) can be turned on at night, as well as in conditions of poor visibility on the road. Punishment for not turning off PTF in a populated area is not provided for by law.
They can be used both day and night, on the highway or in the city. In a word, if it seems to you that there is not enough visibility on the road or, on the contrary, there is more than enough, calmly turn on the fog lights and continue driving.
IMPORTANT! PTF can be used as additional lighting or main lighting (with or without low beam) - depending on visibility, and also as a replacement for other lighting. There is no penalty for such driving.
Note to “one-eyed” drivers
Driving with one faulty headlight or marker is a fairly common occurrence on Russian roads. This may be due to partial or complete breakdown of the electrical wiring.
Both domestically produced cars and those produced jointly with foreign manufacturers are guilty of this.
In Renault Logan, which is so beloved by Russian motorists, the fuse responsible for the high and low beam headlights, as well as the dimensions, especially often flies.
It’s good if the owner of the vehicle noticed the absence of light in time or the drivers of oncoming cars prompted them by carefully signaling with flashing headlights. If not, then the result is the same - a wave of the traffic police inspector’s baton, drawing up a protocol and a receipt for payment for the violation.
How much do law enforcement officials on the road issue a fine? According to Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, punishment for driving vehicles with the headlights off entails liability in the form of a monetary penalty in the amount of 500 rubles.
ATTENTION! In fact, if the violation was committed for the first time, the inspector may limit himself to a verbal warning.
Very often, a breakdown in electrical wiring occurs on the highway, while traveling from one point to another. What to do in such cases, especially in the dark?
According to the rules of the road, if only one headlight has burned out, you can continue driving with the utmost caution. Repairing electrical wiring or replacing a light bulb must be done in the first settlement you encounter along the road.
If, while driving along the highway from one point to another, the right headlight suddenly burns out, move the working light bulb to it from the left one. Do this for more than just your own safety.
How to talk to an inspector issuing a fine?
So, now any driver who has read this article knows about the traffic rules on the basis of which traffic police officers try to issue fines, and about situations in which these rules do not apply. With this, it will be quite easy to protect your rights. You just need to answer: “I asked the oncoming driver to switch the high beams to the low beams” or “I just wanted to warn the driver driving in front of me that I intended to overtake him.” At the same time, the second argument can be used even in those zones where overtaking is prohibited, since the violation itself did not occur, and they cannot be punished for the intention to break the rule.
Most often, inspectors who try to issue a fine for blinking headlights rely on the inexperience or modesty of the motorist. If they feel that he is ready to argue with them reasonably and defend their rights, then in most situations they let him go without a protocol and look for a new “victim”.
