Bad LED Lighting Can Mean Lights Out for Truckers

Avoid Lighting Violations

Your lighting system is one of the most important safety factors to consider before taking any long-haul trip and can make the difference between a clean record and points against you. Good lighting is not just for your safety but for the vehicles around you. Lighting violations carry court fines (ranging from $50 up to $250) and up to six points against you. A defective or failing headlight or taillight alone can get you 2-4 demerit points against your driving record easily in most states, as bad lighting is [ironically] a clear sign of a problem.

To avoid lighting violations even with LED lighting, and potentially losing your driver's license for some time, it's important to understand what makes a violation and the signs of failing lights.

I Have LED Lights – Can I Get In Trouble?

For years, LED lighting has continued to gain in popularity over incandescent lights, and it's no wonder why: They are longer-lasting, offer a brighter clearer view of landscapes while reducing potential accidents, and are more cost-effective in the long-run.

LED lights use clusters of diodes to perform action and when one diode goes out, it can be hard to see (no pun intended) just how many are left before your entire lighting system is inoperative. That is, of course, unless you are using LED style ID lights or clearance lights that usually offer one diode. However, if you notice a crack in the lens during a walk-around, then you are risking a violation and should get the problem fixed pronto.

For the time being, there is no violation standard for LED lighting on headlights since the light can still be used even with missing diodes - if they are seen from a required 500 feet distance. But, for everyone's safety, if you notice cracked lens and/or missing diodes, it's time to replace the light on your commercial vehicle before you risk a violation.

Why You Were Pulled Over

If your clearance lights, turn signal lights, taillights, license plate lights and headlights are not performing as planned, then you are sure to get pulled over by a police officer. After all, your rear head lamps must emit light from that 500 feet distance we mentioned. A violation is a violation regardless of how long it takes you to fix the problem, so it's best to perform routine maintenance on your lighting system prior to road trips.

Top States For Lighting Violations

According to a recent article in Overdrive Magazine ("Roadcheck's not just focused on hours this year: Keep those lights in good working order to pass inspection"), these are the top 15 toughest states for lights violations:

1. Florida – 24.2%
2. Texas – 23.5%
3. Mississippi – 23%
4. Alabama – 22.7%
5. Ohio – 22%
6. West Virginia – 19.9%
7. Maryland – 19.4%
8. Vermont – 19.3%
9. Virginia – 19.3%
10. Nevada – 19.2%
11. Connecticut – 18.9%
12. Kansas – 18.9%
13. North Carolina – 18.9%
14. Wisconsin – 18.6%
15. Georgia – 18.2%

Symptoms of Failing Truck Lights

The symptoms of a bad headlight bulb are clear:

• Dimming headlights
• Are they flickering on and off?
• The headlight is out.

Best LED Truck Lights

Replacing a headlight assembly is easy and only takes about 30 minutes on semi-trucks. There are plenty of online videos showing you how to replace lights, should you need assistance. Before you get to the maintenance work, you will need to find a quality light from a credible source, such as Truck-Lite. If you haven't heard of them before, it's time to do your homework. Truck-Lite has made an international name for itself by creating a series of firsts in the industry including the first to release sealed stop/turn/taillights for military and commercial vehicles. In addition to offering highly visible LED work lights, they offer STT and STTB lights that come with heating elements to prevent ice and snow build-up – a must-have during frigid months. Now, that's a bright idea.