You could be fined if you DON’T leave your lights on when parked on the side of the road
British drivers could be slapped with a fine for failing to leave their sidelights on when parked on certain roads at night - and you always need to use them when parking in fog
BRITISH motorists could be fined if they don't leave their lights on when parked on the side of certain roads.
Drivers often ignore the rule that makes it illegal to park at night without your sidelights on.
According to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, it's against the law to park on a road (or a lay-by on that road) with a speed limit of more than 30mph at night without leaving your sidelights on.
Streets with 30mph limits are usually in built-up areas, meaning they will have street lights dotted along them.
But stretches of road leading into towns and cities often display 40mph or 50mph signs - and could see drivers fined if they park there without using their sidelights.
The law also says that drivers must use the same lights on any type of road if they are parking in fog.
Sidelights, or parking lights, are usually found next to your headlamps in the front corners of your car.
In most modern motors, they have their own switch position on your dashboard and run on a much lower wattage than your normal headlights - meaning you can leave them on all night without running down your battery.
Parking lights are used to make other drivers aware of your car where the road is not well lit already.
, police can issue a non-endorsable Fixed Charge Notice for cars not using their sidelights, which can cost motorists between £35-£75.
An RAC spokesman said: “For many drivers their knowledge of the law and rules relating to parking and the use of sidelights is at best sketchy if not non-existent.
“The law states you should use your side or parking lights when parking in the hours of darkness on any road with a speed limit over 30mph. Failure to do so could result in a non-endorseable offence and a fine of up to £75.
The road laws you need to know
“There is minimal enforcement of the law on the use of parking lights. We would encourage drivers to use their common sense when parking in unfamiliar locations or areas and to use their parking lights where they think it will warn other drivers particularly in foggy conditions – or alternatively park elsewhere.
"Many drivers fear that they will quickly run down their battery if they leave these light on and some modern vehicles do not permit you to leave them on at all when the vehicle is locked.”
Earlier this year, we reported how motorists could be slapped with a £1,000 fine for parking with their car facing the wrong direction at night.