Auxiliary Lights

Q: I have noticed over this past winter that many high-end vehicles, particularly SUVs, large pick-ups and sporty sedans are being driven at night with their low-mounted auxiliary lights on, even though the weather is clear. I had always understood that these lights were only to be used during bad visibility conditions, i.e. fog or falling snow.

These lights provide additional glare for oncoming traffic, and together with the trend to high-intensity headlamps on these types of vehicles, result in a virtual "main beam" scenario for oncoming traffic, which can be hazardous. Does the traffic act allow use of these low-mounted lights under normal conditions? and if not, can the RCMP do anything to stop their use?

A: I have pulled over a few vehicles and spoken to the drivers and advised same that the auxiliary driving lamps can only be on when the high beams are in use.

Auxiliary driving lamps
Section 4.09 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations indicates that a motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 auxiliary driving lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 40 cm and not more than 1.06 m, that are capable of displaying only white light.
(2) An auxiliary driving lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the lamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface.
(3) An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison
Kelowna R.C.M.P. Detachment

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.