Parking light

[Jacobthechap]

What is the use of the 'parking light' ie leaving the indicator on when the ignition is turned off to leave the side lights on but on only one side of the car. Do people actually use it? Is it just for short stays?

[750turbo]

Jacobthechap said:

What is the use of the 'parking light' ie leaving the indicator on when the ignition is turned off to leave the side lights on but on only one side of the car. Do people actually use it? Is it just for short stays?

Nowadays....?

Flattening the battery.

[abbotsmike]

Without checking, when parking at the side of the road with a speed limit of 40 or higher at night, you have to leave side/parking lights on. Parking lights of course having the advantage of lower power consumption.

[williredale]

750turbo said:

Nowadays....?

Flattening the battery.

This! Thanks kids...

[Jacobthechap]

So it is actually in the highway code? I only posed the question as I har just seen a car with the parking lights on and it reminded me of just how little I see people use it!

[fozzymandeus]

They are for making you think:

1. You left your lights on and
2. Half of your bulbs have gone.

[abbotsmike]

Jacobthechap said:

So it is actually in the highway code? I only posed the question as I har just seen a car with the parking lights on and it reminded me of just how little I see people use it!

Yup.

Highway Code said:

Parking at night
248
You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.
[Laws CUR reg 101 & RVLR reg 24]
249
All vehicles MUST display parking lights when parked on a road or a lay-by on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph (48 km/h).
[Law RVLR reg 24]

I doubt they are particularly enforced though. I know that 248 certainly isn't in any of the residential areas near me.

[Shaw Tarse]

At one time people used to have a clip on parking light!

[jason s4]

I always thought they were used for when you park on an unlit road.

[750turbo]

Shaw Tarse said:

At one time people used to have a clip on parking light!

I remember them...

Just!!!