Why don't people turn their headlights on?

My dashboard lights are always on but I never forget to turn on my headlights when it gets dark or when it rains. It's not that hard to check to make sure they're on, either! I was just thinking this same thing yesterday. I had to go out to get my car inspected yesterday because it had to be done by the end of the month and I had forgotten about it until Sunday night, so... Anyway, it was raining all day yesterday. While I was on my way to get it inspected and also on the way home, I saw some cars without their headlights on. It bothers me, too. Not having headlights on when it's illegal to have them off bothers me more than when someone uses their turn signal to change lanes, then doesn't turn it off if it doesn't go off by itself, or if they make a turn without using their turn signal. I often wonder how some people got their driver's license in the first place! Driving in the rain without headlights on is dangerous. I always feel like flashing my lights at them to, hopefully, let them know that they should check theirs. Unfortunately, I received a warning from a cousin of mine who works for a sheriff's office. She said that one thing some gang members are required to do in order to be initiated into the gang is to drive with their headlights off at night (or when it's raining). The first person to flash their lights at them becomes their "target". They are then supposed to follow that person and kill them as an initiation into that particular gang. This is true! For that reason, I will not flash my lights but it doesn't stop me from wondering if they are just stupid or if they are trying to get into a gang. I don't want to take the chance, since that warning came directly from a sheriff's office. I hope that no one ever has an accident because of these dummies who forget their headlights but, unfortunately, they make it much more likely to happen. Maybe the auto manufacturers should build some kind of light sensor into the cars so the headlights will come on automatically when it begins to get dark and when the windshield wipers get turned on. That sure would help out all the idiots who can't remember to turn their lights on and would definitely help the other drivers!

Well, many reasons for that as may be their headlights not working, they forget to turn on, they are too lazy etc etc. lol..... But, I also do not turn on headlights when I am driving on no headlight zone

Those people don't seem to realize the the lights help other drivers see them in the rain. In my state it is the law that requires all cars to have the head lights on when it is raining. Our last two cars have those headlight That turn on when you start the engine and turn off when you shut the car off. I like that because I would remember to turn the lights on but unless it was dark or the lights reflected off something I would forget to turn them off.

Hi reinydawn. I'm pretty sure that it is mandatory, at least here in CA, about having to turn on headlights when it's raining out. Yet, for some reason or another some people don't bother to do so. Maybe it is because since they can see without their headlights being on that they think that they aren't needed. But that's not always the case, because they may not be seen by other cars if their headlights are off. I do try to remember to turn my headlights on during these times, but have been guilty of forgetting a few times before, at least at night anyway. Fortunately I would notice it almost immediately upon driving off and would turn them on. So at least they weren't off for very long. With the vehicle that I have now I can set the headlights so that they automatically turn on when I start it up. The only problem is, I'm not accustomed to it yet (just got the car last month) and out of habit I tend to turn off the headlights as soon as I shut off the engine. LOL No, I don't bother to flash my lights at other drivers who need to turn theirs on. With my luck it might cause them to get mad at me for doing so. Happy mylotting!

My car has a switch to have the lights come on automatically whrn I turn the car on. TRY THIS DURING THE DAY: When you drive down a street without your lights on and a car driver getting ready to pull out they probably will. With your lights on they take a moment to let you pass. I have found that since I have been driving with my lights always on I feel safer. Some people are just in such a hurry, or chatting on their cell phone they really have no clue as to what their doing behind the wheel. That's probably why car insurance rates are high.

Some people know the road so well that they don't bother to turn on the headlights. Other reasons why drivers don't turn on their headlights because they want the ingoing traffic to see them. If the other car has light and you don't the other car can see you much better.

Some people are fooled by the dash lights, some are just idiots who don't check if their lights are on, and some are just clueless. I'm lucky that mine come on automatically when it get's dark. Either that, or they are on all the time, and I'm just too clueless myself to notice! LOL The best thing to do when you see a car without it's lights on is to flash your own at them. Most drivers know that this means either their lights are off, on high, or there is a cop ahead. Either way, it's a wake up call and usually does the trick.

I turn mine on as soon as i get in the car - it makes it easier to see the inside lights and easier for others to see me. My friend has a car that automatically turns on the lights when its too dim.

My car has day lights in the front and back that always come on automatically. I never turn the real lights on in rain, unless its really really heavy rain- I don't really see a reason why people would have to turn the light on in rain anyway? I really don't think there's that much of a difference in visibility.