When you are driving on the road at night time, you must have noticed how no one, including yourself, is never driving with the interior lights on.
If you are unfamiliar with this situation or myth, whatever you want to call it, then you have come to the right place.
Although you have been driving for many years, or maybe this is your first time driving, there are various things that you should keep in mind when it comes to driving on the road as it is really important to drive carefully.
So, is it illegal to drive with interior lights on?
To be honest, it is yes and no. This is because, in various states, it is still legal to drive with the interior lights on.
However, some states just believe that it is not exactly safe and makes it completely illegal to turn on the interior lights at all.
It will confuse your vision and make it difficult for you to see on the road while the lights are on.
With the help of this article, you will be able to learn a lot to make the right choices when you are on the road, as there are some rules and regulations that must be followed at all times.
In this article, I will be providing you with detailed information that will widen your knowledge and help you in the long run.
Table of Contents
Is It Just A Myth?
It is not technically illegal, as I have mentioned earlier, you will be fine driving with your interior lights on in some states.
However, this question is not exactly a myth but true as in some states.
You are completely not allowed to drive with the interior lights on.
It is true because you probably have never or rarely seen anyone driving with the lights on, and you might also have been hesitant to turn on the interior lights even for a while as it can get awkward, but why exactly is that.
Unsafe For You!
The reason why you should never drive with your interior lights on is that it is considered unsafe for you, you might get confused as your vision would not exactly be clear, you can get distracted easily, and it is also stated that driving with interior lights on is considered to be careless or reckless driving as you might be putting yourself and others around you in a hazardous situation.
In addition to that, when someone is driving with the lights on, it is mostly because they are distracted as they are doing more than one thing at the moment, which can be really challenging.
Ticket And Local Jurisdiction
It is worth mentioning that if you are caught by the police driving with your interior lights on, you might end up getting a ticket or paying a fine, but that entirely depends on the local jurisdiction.
It is clear that you might pull over if the police notice that you are distracted and not focusing on the road.
Make sure when you have a task to do or if you are looking for something, just pull over to the side, finish what you had to do, and then continue driving.
Why Is It Unsafe?
Think of it this way, when you are at home, and the lights are on, and you look outside on your window, you can see people and cars go by.
You can also see yourself on the glass of your window.
Now think about that when you are driving, as with the lights on, it may reflect on the windshield of your vehicle, which means that it can be hazardous to drive in a situation like this as it can be difficult to see outside.
You Can Get Distracted While Driving
It is stated by The National Highway Traffic Administration that in the year 2018, there were approximately 2841 deaths across the US only due to distracted driving.
Think of how the numbers may have surplus through the years until now.
When the interior lights are on, it is really common that you can get distracted while driving as you will be performing more than one task at a time and not fully focused on the road.
It Can Distract Other Drivers Around You
It is worth mentioning that it can also distract and obstruct the drivers around you, especially behind you, which can lead to serious road accidents.
This is why it is really important to look around you before you make a choice that can cause serious situations.
As I have mentioned earlier, there is no problem when you turn the interior lights on when you are on the side of the road so you can finish doing whatever you want and then continue driving without the interior lights.
Is It Illegal To Drive With Different Colored Interior Lights?
If you are someone who loves to make new changes to your vehicle and especially why installing LED colored lights but might also be wondering if it is illegal to drive with them on, well, you have come to the right place.
It is important to note that these lights are not exactly illegal as you are only adding to the appearance of your vehicle, making it look more aesthetic.
Use Dim Colored Light
It is important to note that there are some state laws regarding lights that can and cannot be used.
Make sure that you are using a very dim colored light in the interior, as shocking and bright light will block the vision and make it difficult for you to look outside your vehicle.
Moreover, it is really important to place these lights underneath or at the bottom of the interior of your vehicle so it will not be too bright and also make it look appealing.
Make sure that the light you are installing is not flashy or rotates like disco lights, as this can be really dangerous for you and other people on the road.
Do Not Drive With Blue And Red Interior Lights
It is also stated that you should not drive around with blue and red lights as that can confuse people on the road, making them think that it is a police vehicle, so make sure to follow these rules, and then you are good to go.
Although you can add different lights in your vehicle as it is not entirely illegal, it is still important to keep in mind that you should be driving around with too bright colored lights and just simply stick to a plain white color and keep it turned off when you drive so you are not distracting or causing any harm.
Conclusion
With the help of this article, I hope you got the answer regarding whether is it illegal to drive with interior lights on or not.
I hope you got to learn a thing or two regarding this matter as it is really important to take into consideration everything, especially when you are on the road for the safety of you, passengers, other drivers or pedestrians on the road.
Even though it is not entirely illegal, it would still be better to drive without the interior lights on, and if you really have something important to do, then simply pull over and do whatever you have to do so you are not distracted and cause any hazardous situation.
I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.
