Low beam lamp burnt out fine

Burnt out light bulb: What can traffic police do to us?

Is there liability for driving a car with a burned out light bulb?

If a bulb in one of the headlights burns out while driving, we can go to the nearest gas station or to the nearest auto store, as well as to the nearest auto repair shop to buy a new bulb. But is it possible to continue driving with one eye? Is there any liability for driving a car with a burned out headlight bulb?

So imagine the situation. You got into your car in the evening after work and went home. When we sat down, we were sure that the two low beam lamps in the headlights were working properly. But before you have time to drive away from work, a traffic police officer suddenly stops you and immediately declares that you have broken the law because you are driving a vehicle with a burnt-out low beam lamp in the front headlight (which, as luck would have it, stopped burning while driving ). Unfortunately, in many cars, if the lamp stops lighting, there is no warning on the dashboard in the form of an error. As a result, you could not know that only one headlight was on in the car. Is the situation familiar? Surely many drivers have encountered this.

Do you think your actions violate the law? Have you violated the traffic rules and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation? Many people believe that since this happened on the road, you could not have known about the burnt-out light bulb in the headlight, and therefore it is not your fault. But it's not that simple.

First, let's remember clause 2.3.1 of the Russian Traffic Regulations:

The driver of the vehicle is obliged to:

2.3.1. Before leaving, check and ensure that the vehicles are in good technical condition while on the road, and in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety

It is prohibited to drive if there is a malfunction of the service brake system, steering, coupling device (as part of a road train), unlit (missing) headlights and tail lights in the dark or in conditions of insufficient visibility , the windshield wiper is inoperative on the driver’s side during rain or snowfall.

If other faults arise along the way, for which the appendix to the Basic Provisions prohibits the operation of vehicles, the driver must eliminate them, and if this is not possible, then he can proceed to the place of parking or repair, taking the necessary precautions.

Many believe that traffic police officers, when stopping a car with a burnt-out lamp in the front headlight, cannot issue a fine, since they will not prove that the driver initially drove off, knowing about the unlit headlight, thereby violating paragraph 2.3.1 of the traffic rules.

Also, many people think that if a car with a burnt-out lamp is stopped by traffic police officers, it is enough to simply tell the police that you are heading to the service station to change the lamp, as required by the Traffic Rules (2.3.1 Traffic Regulations).

That's how it is. But there is also the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, namely Article 12.5. This is what the article reads verbatim:

Article 12.5. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which the operation of vehicles is prohibited

1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited , with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2-7 of this article ,

(as amended by Federal Laws No. 120-FZ dated July 22, 2005, No. 116-FZ dated July 10, 2012)
entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.
(as amended by Federal Laws No. 116-FZ dated June 22, 2007, No. 196-FZ dated July 23, 2013)

So, as you can see, for driving a car with a faulty headlight bulb, according to the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, a fine of 500 rubles is provided. So, in essence, the liability of the driver of a car who is driving on the road with a headlight not working due to a faulty light source begins the moment the lamp burns out. That is, it doesn’t matter whether you knew that the lamp in the headlight was not on or didn’t know, you may be charged with driving a vehicle with a defect, the admission of which to the road is prohibited according to the basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to public roads.

The only thing that can save you, if the reason a traffic police officer stopped your car was because of a burnt-out low beam bulb in the headlight, is to remove the obstacle to operating the car on the spot. That is, replacing a burnt-out light bulb immediately after stopping the car. In this case, perhaps they will simply feel sorry for you. Unless, of course, they believe that you really didn’t know that you were driving with a burnt-out lamp.

But this will all depend on how you communicate with the traffic police officer. If you get into trouble, then, of course, you cannot avoid a fine. Also, if traffic police officers need your violation for their plan, then you will be fined.

What is the fine for a headlight that doesn't light up? Rules for driving with faulty lights

While headlights are an important part of any vehicle, they can fail over time.

This can happen suddenly and while driving, to which an attentive driver will immediately pay attention and take action.

And there are those who are too lazy to repair their car, or are indifferent to it. But driving with non-working lights can cause trouble on the road, and therefore it is not surprising that a driver can be punished for non-working lights.

What is the penalty for non-lit lights in 2019?

Penalties for these offenses are regulated by the Code of Administrative Offences.

If they don't work for technical reasons

This violation is discussed in Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. It states that driving a car with technical defects or in conditions where the operation of the vehicle is prohibited (in accordance with the Basic Provisions allowing the vehicle to be used) entails a warning or an administrative fine of 500 rubles.

Part 1 of this article does not provide for the detention of the car; you may be given a warning or issued a fine, but traffic police officers do not have the right to take the car, citing Article 27.13 of the Administrative Code.

But if he is detained again and the fault is not corrected, he may be fined again, although not earlier than after 24 hours.

This violation should not be confused with a violation of the rules for using headlights. Violations of the rules of use imply that the headlights are in working condition, and the situation with a breakdown is considered a violation of the rules for operating the vehicle - driving with a malfunction. Therefore, you need to understand that in this case a fine under Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation is almost inevitable. And it doesn’t even matter whether your high or low beam bulb has burned out, or whether you have a broken headlight (one or both), or even a brake light.

If the driver forgot to turn them on

Since 2010, in Russia, all drivers are required to drive with the lights on during the daytime, these can be daytime running lights or low beams; if necessary, fog lights are connected.

If you are stopped with no headlights on, be prepared to respond under Article 12.20 of the Code of Administrative Offenses; traffic police officers may issue a warning or issue a fine of 500 rubles.

If there is dirt on the light fixtures

It is also worth noting that you can even be fined for dirty lighting fixtures . The degree of contamination will be checked electronically, so it will be difficult to challenge the fact of violation. This is especially true for dirty room lighting, when they become invisible at night (visibility range is 20 meters).

If there is one burnt out low beam bulb

Even if one low beam light is not on, this is considered a violation and a fine is imposed for this, because in this case the likelihood of creating an emergency situation when the car is moving increases. Therefore, everything again comes down to Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, and the possible fine is five hundred rubles.

Is it possible to save money?

If you were unable to get away with a simple warning for not working low beams or other lighting devices, you have the opportunity to pay a fine that is half the amount required.

According to Art. 32.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, all of the above articles fall under the opportunity to save 50% if you manage to pay the fine within a twenty-day period from the date of the decision on an administrative offense.

How are standard lights used?

When visibility is poor, headlights help distinguish the vehicle to other road users, and in turn allow the driver to distinguish them. This means that a car’s lights are one of its most important parts, and if they fail, they increase the likelihood of accidents. And with all this, headlights can be used not only at night.

Features of operation of fog lights

This mainly applies to fog lights. Today they are installed in almost every car. They will be useful not only in heavy fog, but also in snowfall or heavy rain.

Many people think that the color of fog lights must be yellow. Some people believe that the yellow light travels further through the fog.

And the main difference between these headlights is not the color, but the direction of the light flow. The luminous flux from the headlights is horizontal and flat, and is directed almost parallel to the road, so as not to shine on the curtain of fog.

The fact is that the fog does not reach the ground, since the moisture in the fog condenses if the ground turns out to be much warmer than the air. And with proper adjustment, the light spreads along the road at a distance of ten meters - at low speeds in foggy conditions this is more than enough.

Also, the light from the headlights should spread to the sides so that road markings and the side of the road can be seen.

There are cars equipped with a rear red light - it shines brighter than the side lights or brake lights. In fog, it burns around the clock and allows you to distinguish the owner’s car from a decent distance.

When driving during the day, it is necessary to turn on the low beam headlights - this way the driver will be better seen by road users who are driving towards them; if necessary, they are used together with fog lights.

Fog lights aren't just useful in foggy conditions. They have long been recommended to be turned on when there is a need to drive in the dark, on a narrow road with a lot of turns (especially sudden ones).

On modern cars, the light from the headlights can follow the movement of the steering wheel - this can greatly help when driving along narrow forest roads or cramped yards, when a person or animal may suddenly appear in front of the car. Because of this, in such situations, in addition to the low or high beams, it is worth turning on the fog lights.

When can you travel?

But there is an exception - clause 2.3.1 of section 2 of the traffic rules. It states that in such a situation, movement is permitted, but only if the vehicle is sent to the place of repair (service station or parking lot) and if it is not possible to repair the breakdown on site. And at the same time, you need to take the greatest possible precautions so as not to create an emergency situation.

Controversial situations and ways to resolve them

Although the amount of the fine by modern standards is not so large, if the driver is right, it is worth trying to prove it, at least as a matter of principle. Especially if the inspector simply begins to “put pressure” on the driver without any particular reason.

To begin with, when the inspector discovers a malfunction of the headlight (as, indeed, any similar one), it is worth politely informing that the movement was in the direction of the technical station. service or parking to correct this problem. Or simply pretend that the headlight burned out just about during the trip, but when it started it was properly performing its function. In this case, the driver can only get away with a verbal warning.

But it is worth remembering that with one working headlight you can only go to the place where the problem is corrected.

Sometimes the driver can fix the breakdown right on the spot and independently. In this case, it is unlawful to impose a fine, and this applies to any headlights. A dim or simply dirty headlight will also attract the inspector's attention , but usually this is also limited to a simple warning. But this does not mean that the cleanliness of the lighting lights can not be monitored.

If the driver has not been subject to any administrative penalties for at least the next six months, the inspector should be notified about this. This can also play a role, and as a result you will end up with a verbal warning.

But whatever the situation, you should not abuse trust. If the driver really violated traffic rules for a long time and drove with faulty lights, then this is a reason to think about it, because he should be primarily interested in getting it fixed. After all, even such a seemingly trifle may depend on his life on the road. Serviceable headlights will protect you from possible accidents or conflicts with other road users.

How can traffic police prove guilt?

It is mandatory to prove guilt. To do this, traffic police inspectors can use photos or videos recording traffic violations, as well as testimonies of witnesses to the violation. Of course, occasionally you may encounter unlawful actions by patrol officers when they include strangers in the protocol and sign it.

But in the end, the judge rarely takes the driver’s side, since he is primarily guided by the evidence and the protocol, and not by the testimony of the offender. But fortunately, there is always the opportunity to appeal both the court decision and the protocol , which can restore justice.

Conclusion

Driving with non-functioning headlights (any type) is dangerous. And the main danger is not only the imposition of a fine of five hundred rubles, but a possible accident due to limited visibility with non-working lighting devices (even just one of them) during traffic.

But with careful and minimal driving, this can of course be avoided, as well as a fine, if you prove to the inspector that the driver was currently heading to the repair point to correct this breakdown.

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