Introduction to Texas Headlight Laws
In Texas, headlight requirements are governed by both state law and additional regulations in the Texas Transportation Code. Headlights must be used from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise, and any time during daylight hours that visibility is insufficient to clearly see a person or object at a distance of 1,000 feet . Furthermore, headlights must be dimmed when the vehicle is within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle in order to prevent visual impairment of the other driver if the car is equipped with high-beam headlights. Dimming the headlights is also necessary when the vehicle is within 300 feet of another vehicle that is in motion in the same lane. Be aware that some cities may set their own ordinances, so it is important for drivers to investigate the laws in their area.
When to Use Your Headlights in Texas
Texas Law requires that a driver must turn on their headlights anytime from sunset until sunrise and at other times when natural light is not sufficient to clearly see a person or vehicle at a distance of 1,000 feet. Texas Statute 547.303 (Statute 5473.13 under the old law) prohibits driving without headlights on in these conditions:
Sunset until sunrise
In rain
In fog
In snow
In smoke or dust
In any other reduced visibility
When it comes to driving in either bright sun or at twilight the law is a little less clear. Texas Statute § 547.321 states that the Director of the Department of Public Safety may by rule, designate other times, limited visibility conditions, and areas in which motor vehicle headlights shall be used. At this time, the DPS has not developed any rules or guidelines beyond what is already required by law.
As a general rule, if your windshield wipers are working because of rain, then your headlights should be on.
The use of daytime running lights is an insufficient lighting system under Texas Law. In addition to daytime running lights, the full headlight system should be utilized.
Exceptions and Specific Requirements
Texas law stipulates specific adjustments and requirements for vehicle headlights. The focus here is on aligmement, brightness levels, and color, which must adhere to the law in order to be deemed legal.
Alignment
When the headlights are illuminated, the ground illumination pattern must fall within a certain region relative to the center of the vehicle. This is an important distinction because each state differs as to how close to the road surface the illumination may be. The relevant area for Texas is from 2" above the road to 3" below the road. Failure to align headlights properly could lead to glare for oncoming vehicle operators. Consequently, proper alignment is not only a legal issue, but also a safety issue.
Brightness Levels
The brightness levels for any headlight on any vehicle is dictated by ANSI and SAE standards. These brightness levels are not to be exceeded. The Court did recognize that although these standards do not specifically prohibit the use of LEDs, they do impose maximum brightness levels regardless of type.
Brightness levels for headlights are measured at 25 feet from the lamp. The downward projection, which must not exceed 5-footcandles, is measured at 3 inches above the road and at the center of the projected beam.
The center intensity of the upper beam is not to exceed 20,000 candelas (cd). Furthermore, when measured at 25 feet, the center intensity of the high beam plus the high beam down projected 5 feet from the headlamp shall not exceed 18,000 cd.
Brightness of headlamps is controlled by output settings to prevent headlamps from exceeding regulation. The driver of the vehicle need simply regulate the brightness output settings. tampering, deliberate manipulation, or other improper adjustment of the brightness output settings is prohibited by statute.
Brightness levels for fog lamps are significantly less than those for headlights, as expected, and the same alignment and brightness levels apply. The glare caused by fog lamps is not to exceed 2 footcandles, measured at 3 feet above the road. At this same distance, the down projection shall not exceed 1 footcandle.
Color
The law also sets forth specific limits regarding color. These requirements need not be duplicated here, as the text is readily available.
Whether you are a motorist in Texas, or you are here commuting as a result of an auto accident, this information may benefit you.
Common Offenses and Penalties
One of the most common headlight violations is failing to use headlights at night. Texas law requires the use of headlights from dusk to dawn. A driver who does not turn his light on when it gets dark may be cited for this violation. In addition, a driver with headlights that are "out of adjustment" may also be subject to a fine. According to Texas Transportation Code Section 547.322 (a)(1), "a motor vehicle operating at nighttime with one or more of the following defective equipment is considered as unsafe to operate on a highway… A headlamp that is… not in good working order." The law does not define "defective equipment," so an officer has some discretion in determining whether a violation occurred. A court is likely to uphold such a determination, as long as there is some evidence to show that the headlights did not provide adequate illumination. Since "not in good working order" is not defined, however, there may be room for an argument that headlights whose beams are misaligned or otherwise faulty could cause a violation. This would make sense if a vehicle’s headlights were emitting less light or too much light. A driver whose headlights do not meet the requirements of Section 547.322 (a)(1) commits an offense if the headlights are: A fine of $25 to $250 is associated with this violation. It is not uncommon for drivers to find themselves cited for violating Section 547.322(a)(3), which states: "A headlamp that is emitting a glaring light either directly or indirectly." This provision seems to apply to fog lights, which typically feature a less intense beam than standard headlights. The fog light beam is directed straight ahead and slightly downward to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Thus, a driver with fog lights that are pointed too high may be cited for a glare violation. The law does not indicate whether a driver with fog lights devoted to illuminating road signs may be cited for violating this provision by having its fog light beam directed straight ahead. However, the positioning of fog lights will likely be left up to the officer’s discretion. If the judge agrees with the officer’s assessment, the fog light beams might be considered to give off a "glaring light." The penalty for violating this section is a fine of $25 – $50. Some cities like Austin implement their own statutes prohibiting the use of headlights that sense darkness and automatically turn on. Under Austin City Code Section 13-2-213, automatic headlights and DRLs are prohibited unless there’s "a conspicuous manual switch" that allows the driver to manually turn them on or off. A violation of this local ordinance is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500.
Headlights and Road Safety
Using headlights as intended helps drivers warn and prevent accidents and motorists and pedestrians alike can be protected from harm. Researchers at the Traffic Safety Coalition say that proper headlight use could lower the annual U.S. traffic fatalities by more than 3,400 per year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cites the majority of driving conditions where headlights are vital, including dusk, dawn, fog, heavy rain, snow, and through the night. Headlights should be used any time conditions make it difficult to see clearly. On the highway, this means having them on any time the visibility goes below 500 feet while driving. The Texas Department of Transportation agrees , stating that aiming your headlights correctly, using high beams, and replacing faulty bulbs can significantly reduce your risk of an accident. One of the main reasons for headlight use is so other cars can see you. However, most drivers are completely unaware of how their headlights are aimed and if they are contributing to the problem. NHTSA statistics show that of the nearly 2,000 people killed annually due to crashes caused by reduced or low visibility, at least 800 to 900 autos are "in plain sight" when the crash occurs. No one was blinded or asleep at the wheel when 46 percent of pedestrians were killed at night by autos vis-à-vis large trucks.
Emerging Technology in Headlights
As the landscape of automotive design continues to evolve, the role and functionality of headlights have adapted in surprising ways. A glance back at the history of headlights in Texas and beyond demonstrates a clear technological trajectory that has been paralleled by changes in legislation. Over the past couple of decades, integrated turn signals, adaptive lighting systems, and even light-emitting diode (LED) and laser technology have generated an array of new headlight variations. As headlights come equipped with more features, do the simple laws of headlight regulation still apply?
Most recently, LED headlights have replaced many traditional headlight settings as the gold standard for both consumer vehicles and lighting regulations for construction workers. LED bulbs are reported to burn cooler, last longer, and give off brighter light. In addition, LED’s can even be programmed to change brightness depending on the time of day. Most striking is arguably the aesthetic quality of LEDs; typically, hi-beam headlights have a bright white-yellow appearance while low-beam and fog lights have a yellow-reddish tint. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, LED headlights are "more expensive because they are more energy efficient and longer lasting."
Though automotive headlights have seen significant changes since the early 20th century, difficult problems still exist. Yet, the headlights of the future could help protect against these issues. Adaptive lighting systems aim to fix several common headlight concerns by using a software component that can detect obstacles or road signs on dark roads, such as a bicycle or farm equipment, and then amplify lighting in those areas to avoid collisions. Similarly, laser technology has been proposed as "the next big thing in vehicle headlight performance" as it has a further range than any other current automobile lighting technology. Yet, not withstanding the performance and visibility of lasers, laws regarding whether headlights can contain lasers remain unclear.
Overall, while the Texas headlight laws have remained relatively stable, industry experts predict that as vehicle technology continues to rapidly advance the laws will have to adapt alongside them to maintain driver protection and public safety.
Recommendations for Texas Motorists
To properly maintain your headlights in Texas, always check regularly for any dirt and grime buildup. After a rainstorm, this will be necessary. If for any reason your headlight goes out, it is extremely important to change it as soon as possible. If you are uncertain how to install a new bulb, check your owner’s manual, purchase a mechanic’s manual, or ask your mechanic . Also, make sure that you never use your high beams if there are other cars within a reasonable distance behind or in front of you. This is not only considered extra against Texas law, but it is also considered really rude and can temporarily blind other drivers. If you require additional assistance, your local mechanic should also be able to help you with headlight problems.