Not just checking to see if they are working or not, but please check to see where the headlights are aimed. It is one of my Dh's biggest pet peeves...maladjusted headlights! They are adjustable, people!

Something to consider is that faulty lighting will get you pulled over by the police. There is a strong correlation between equipment issues on vehicles and drunk driving.

Yes, I do check the lights on my Tahoe, especially after being stopped for a burned-out brake light. Just a week before, I had one replaced at Walmart, because is was burned out - a week later, the other one burned out.

There's a lesson here:

If you have a need to replace ONE bulb, splurge and replace BOTH at the same time!

I am one of those people that appreciate being told I have a light out. Being single, I don't have someone constantly looking at the back of my car. I have told neighbors when I've noticed their brake light or backup lights are out. Headlights you can sometimes see for yourself. I'm happy to have a smart car now that will tell me when I have a problem. As for those people that leave their turn signals on, I know my dad used to do that - he couldn't HEAR that it was still on. Drove me nuts!! LOL

When I get my oil changed, they always check ALL lights, with you sitting in the car and working them.

Actually I don't think it's so much a correlation as a probable cause. I don't think there's any higher percentage of lights out and drinking than any other, but at night, especially close to bar rush is a time they look for any reason at all to pull someone over. Without it, they obviously need another reason so the not signaling lane changes, crossing a line and the like become much more nit-picky. Having a light out gives sufficient cause to pull someone over and hope for a DWI or something. I was pulled over one time because "your taillight isn't red enough". (Those were his actual words.) Hotdog cop was trolling for DWIs and at least in his mind, that gave him a reason to stop and sniff though I wonder if that would pass probable cause in court if challenged. The ironic (and very funny) part was the way he cowered and apologized when he recognized me from crime prevention, being active politically (being a vocal and active supporter of a new cop shop) and my business partner was a police commissioner at the time too. It was downright hilarious in a way. I didn't know him, but he sure knew me!

That reminds me-one of my daughters has a brake light out. She is gonna get a ticket!

I don't but when I take it in for an oil change they check everything.

Having it checked like that counts the same as doing it yourself vala55! The point is to make sure they're working.

Oh, Cynic....I love your posts, not only are they informative, you word things to give us a chuckle. I have to admit, I don't check those things myself, but our car guy gives our old hup-mobile a good going over when its in for maintenance. Actually it goes in later this week for a couple new tires, I'll mention this to him. I just wish someone had noticed and informed me that my license tabs were about 5 months expired, last year. Luckily I wasn't stopped and when I realized it, I rectified it right away. i would think people would be grateful to be informed, but go figure.

I was in a drive through and the lady in back of me walked up to my window to tell me I had a brake light out. I was so thankful to be told! Yes, I tell others if I can get to them, always.

Left blicker went out yesterday and stopped at our Car Guy and he fixed it in 10 minutes.

Get to know your Car Guy! You want to be able to trust him.

If I'm stopped at a light beside someone and the window's open, I'll call out and tell them, or give the horn a short beep and then wiggle my fingers like talking, when they look, if the window's closed.

Sometimes when stopped behind someone with a brake light out, I'll scoot up, tap on the rear window as I pass to notify them, and tell them. Some women hesitate to open the window, but if they have good ears, I can yell.

Hardly ever get a grumpy reply, usually a thank you.

I'm thankful that, just past 80, I'm nimble enough to do that.

Driving's more dangerous than flying ... and every time we break the traffic rules, we add to the risk ... not only for ourselves, but for others nearby.

ole joyful

I check every time I start the car or back into the garage! It's easy to check them then, as they reflect off the walls. So if you have and use a garage, you can check them like I do.

Cynic, you aren't the only one it drives nuts to see brake lights out! I will tell people, also.

Tami...who has seen a lot of lights not working lately.

Tami, that's exactly it. When I pull in at night my headlights get checked. Turn off the lights one click to parking and they're checked. Close the garage door with the, uh, remote (would be kind of silly to say "close the door with the opener" wouldn't it??) and I can check taillights, step on the brake and check brakelights and with foot on brake put it in reverse and check the reverse lights. Can do the same against a wall or behind a car or otherwise. Improvise! Or get someone to watch as you check them.

When I had my oil change before going up north a couple weeks ago (and Dottie, I honked and waved as I went by-didja see me???) they checked the lights as part of the service. Come to think of it, the trip in there is the subject of another thread... coming up next after a word from our sponsor so stay tuned.

And thank you Dotmom, you're too kind! :)

Four of us were piled in a VW bug coming back from the movies. We were pulled over for a burned out headlight. The cop was hEll-bent on writing a ticket. The driver of the VW informed the cop that he, too, had a burned out headlight and might as well write himself a ticket while he was at it. We got off.

Just yesterday i was behind this guy who had a brake light out.He turned onto the same street i did,only he pulled over to park.I pulled up next to him,rolled my window down and told him,he was very thankful.I've done this for neighbors as well when they back ut of their driveway and i see it.I figure rather me than the cops.
Kathi

thanks for the reminder. I should check my rear lights!

I too check mine in the garage. Quick and you can do it often!
Just today I was going to lunch with a DF and a car headeded toward me flashed his lights, just a quick off and on. Told my DF there must be a cop ahead. Sure enough, there was, but I was doing the 55 mph.
Kathy G in MI