How to check your lights are working

...than travelling in the traffic stream near a car that has lights particularly brake lights, that aren't working.

How often do you see a car that has faulty lights? Often, I bet. Lights are things we use to see, be seen, or to signal our intention to do something.

They are an important piece of safety equipment on our cars, important for our own safety, and important for the safety of others. But because we can't see them ourselves, we simply assume they're working and never bother to check them.

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Checking them is simple, and something we can include the kids in doing. Getting the kids to help us check the lights sets a good example for them, and should encourage them to check the lights on their car once they are old enough to drive.

So, get behind the wheel and turn the ignition on, and them run through each lighting system. Turn each on in sequence and have your kids check to see if they are working. As each is confirmed to be working turn it off and turn on the next one.

Check the parking lights and headlights, low and high beam, as well as the headlight flasher. While the headlights are on, check that the taillights are also illuminated. Check the turn signals, right and left, front and rear, and don't forget the side repeaters.

Check the emergency flashers, front and rear, and make sure all are working. Finally, check the brake lights, all of them. If you can't get the kids to help you check the brake lights, find a reflective surface, a shop front window can be a good one to use, and reverse the car up to it and apply the brakes.

You should be able to see the lights reflecting in the surface behind you. Also check the reversing lights. Replace the globes in any of the lights you find that aren't working.