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The language of lights on the road is of vital importance, it will allow you to drive more safely and prevent accidents.
Communication between vehicles
The National Safety Commission reports that 80% of the accidents registered on federal highways are caused by the driver, 9% depend on some natural agent (such as the weather), 7% by the vehicle, and 4% by the road (damage, lack or marking errors). Thousands of drivers travel the country’s highways every day, and to do so safely they use a special lighting language that is not precisely described in a manual but is part of the knowledge of truckers, trailer drivers, and some drivers. Due to its importance, we share it with you.
Locate all the lights in your car
Before explaining how the language of the road works, we must remember that each car has:
| Types of vehicle lights | Function |
|---|---|
| dipped beam | They are activated automatically when you apply the brake, are bright red, and warn the cars behind to slow down or come to a complete stop. They usually have 2 in the back and one in the center to make it more visible. |
| High beams | They are activated automatically when you apply the brake, are bright red, and warn the cars behind to slow down or come to a complete stop. They usually have 2 in the back and one in the center to make it more visible. |
| blinkers | Intended to indicate car failure, road hazard, or emergency braking; They are also used to warn that you are going to park or that you will be driving in reverse. |
| directional | Located in the rear of the car, they warn drivers that a right or left turn will be made or that a lane change is coming. They usually activate the positioning lights that are on the sides of the car at the same time. |
| Reverse lights | They come on automatically when reversing. They are different from turn signals since they have a broader spectrum and help with backing up in dimly lit places. |
| Brake lights | They are activated automatically when you apply the brake, are bright red and warn the cars behind to slow down or come to a complete stop. They usually have 2 in the back and one in the center to make it more visible. |
Types of vehicle lights and their function
Learn the signs between private vehicles and trailers
| Action | Meaning |
|---|---|
| light changes | They are used to warn of an accident. If you go through an accident on a two-way road, make changes of lights, that is, from high to short so that the cars that come in the other lane slow down until you see what happens. |
| blinkers | They serve to alert the cars behind that there will be a slowdown or even a complete stop. |
| left turn signal | He tells the rear car it can pass. |
| right turn signal | He tells the car behind that he can’t pass and it’s best to wait. |
| Flashing after a pass | Use your blinkers to say thank you when someone gave you the right-of-way or warned you with the left turn signal that you could pass. Keep it short. |
Signals with vehicle lights and their meaning
The most common signs among trailers
| Action | Meaning |
|---|---|
| left turn signal | If you drive your vehicle behind a trailer and it turns on its left turn signal, it means that it is letting you pass it. |
| Turn on your turn signals after passing | The car that passes a trailer may flash its turn signals for a couple of seconds, this means that it is appreciated and, usually, the trailer will respond with a flash of its high beams to reciprocate. |
| Turn on spotlights on the crest | On two-way or free highways, if a trailer driver turns on and off the navigation lights on the cab crest, he is warning the vehicles in the other lane about something ahead, an accident, an animal, etc. |
| Directional on your side | On lonely two-way roads, if an oncoming trailer turns on your side signal, it means they are waving. This happens a lot between trailers that know each other or are from the same company. |
| Shoulder Side Directional | If the trailer moves a little out of its lane and signals on the side of the shoulder, it is because there is something in the road on that side. Try to dodge it and slow down. This signal can be made by all types of vehicles to warn drivers behind. |
| Turn on intermittent and directional of one of the sides | If the trailer encroaches a little on the boundary of the side on which it is driving, turn on the turn signals and some directional signals, it is indicating that it will turn towards that side. |
Language of lights on the road most common among trailers
Use the language of lights on the road
Remember that one of the most general recommendations is to never pass on the right and if you find yourself in a foggy place, it is best to follow a truck or trailer at a safe distance so that its taillights guide you. This language or code for lights on the road is very useful among drivers because this way you will not have unforeseen events during your trip, you will be more relaxed and you will prevent traffic accidents. Use your lights!
