Traffic laws exist to keep people safe. However, rumors, myths, and misconceptions abound, especially regarding the dome light inside of vehicles. Many people wonder,” Is it legal to drive with lights inside the car in Texas?”
If you have always questioned the legality of interior car lights in Texas, you should know about Texas’s driving laws for interior lights. Keep in mind, the laws are created for your safety, and safety should be your entire focus while on the road to avoid accidents.
Angel Reyes & Associates is a personal injury law firm in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin that fights for the rights of injured victims and the compensation they deserve. In this article, we answer the question, “Can you drive with dome lights on in Texas?” and provide the truth behind these myths.
Understanding the Myth
Throughout Dallas, San Antonio, and the rest of Texas, not to mention in other states, the myth of driving with the dome light on is one that has persisted for generations. We examine why people say it is illegal to drive with the dome light on.
Debunking the Myth: Is it illegal to drive with your dome light on in Texas?
It’s a common myth that it is illegal to drive with the dome light on in Texas, but it’s actually not. Perhaps you were led to believe it was an illegal act thanks to your parents. Like beliefs about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, parents have told their kids to turn off the dome light while driving at night.
The claim is that driving with this light on while it is dark out would cause them to get pulled over, something that teen drivers are drilled not to do to avoid costly citations and more expensive insurance rates. While it’s not true that it is illegal to drive with the dome light on at night, this rumor has persisted for decades.
The Texas Transportation Code does not prohibit you from driving with your dome light on. You may be well into your adult years now and be surprised to discover this interesting fact. You may even be inclined to call your parents and let them know you have unraveled the truth behind their white lies.
Texas Laws and Regulations
Texas Laws on Interior Car Lights
The truth is that there is no law that makes it illegal to drive with the interior lights illuminated at nighttime. However, there may be more behind those little fibs you were told as a child that have spread throughout the community for all these years.
One law does regulate that motor vehicle lamps or illuminating devices must not project any beams of light that are brighter than 300 candlepower on a highway or road. The same rule also makes it illegal to use red lights that are visible in front of the center of a vehicle. The only vehicles that have this authority are emergency vehicles.
Safety Concerns
The Risks of Driving with Interior Lighting
You’ve been told well into your teen and adult years that driving with your dome light on is illegal. If you look on Facebook, the occasional post in your inbox, or even an article written in a community paper, these few little white lies are often perpetuated.
It’s certainly not an attempt to spread fake news. However, conduct some more research and you’ll likely see that this keeps happening to promote safety. While it is wrong to lie, there is one kernel of truth behind driving with the dome light on – it can be a distraction. It can also reduce visibility through the windshield and rear window at night, which can put you at a greater accident risk while on the roadway.
Driving with your dome light on for any reason may not directly lead to a citation, but it can reduce your ability to see the road clearly and create a distraction that keeps you from operating the vehicle safely. You may have a passenger in the back seat who is looking for something or wants to read. No matter how benign the reason may be to drive with your dome light illuminated, it is not a great idea as it compromises your safety. However, it is not illegal.
Vehicle Equipment
Is it Required to Have Interior Lights in a Car?
There is no specific law that requires interior lights in a car, though it is a feature that comes standard in all vehicles. These lights were most often used for reading paper maps but they can provide light in low-visibility situations. Still, they should be used sparingly while driving at night as driving with your dome light on may make it harder for you to see what’s happening outside of your vehicle.
Distracted Driving
Can Driving with Interior Lights On Be Considered Distracted Driving?
While it is not illegal to drive with your dome light on, it can be a form of distracted driving. Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off the task of driving is a distraction.
Driving with your dome light on may prevent you from keeping your focus on the road. It might not be illegal to drive with this light on but if it is distracting you in such a way that you break the rules of the road or cause an accident, you may receive a ticket or be blamed for your role in a crash.
Since driving with this light on can impact a driver’s ability to see or pay attention, the short answer is that it can be a distraction, which can lead to citations, points on a driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and liability in a car crash.
Road Safety
Tips for Safe Driving in Texas
Instead of driving with your dome light on, use common sense and pull over if you need to look for something in your vehicle. Make sure you do so in a well-lit area that is safe and out of the roadway when you need to look for items in the backseat or to check your navigation or map.
Keep your eyes on the road and try to avoid turning on the interior light. It can be a distraction and you should avoid other distractions as it is the safe thing to do.
Law Enforcement
Can You Get Pulled Over for Driving with Interior Lights On in Texas?
While it’s not illegal to drive with your interior lights on in Texas, a cop may still ticket you for having them on at night if they determine that it impairs your vision and makes driving more dangerous. If you don’t want trouble with the police, it’s best to avoid doing anything wrong. You won’t get stopped if you turn the light on briefly, but if you leave it on, you may see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror.
The Verdict: Are You Allowed to Drive with Interior Lights On in Texas?
Contrary to the information you may have been given in your youth, it is not illegal to drive with interior lights on in Texas but that doesn’t mean it’s a safe action. Those lights can cause a distraction and make it harder to see at night.
If you were in an accident, contact Angel Reyes & Associates to schedule a free consultation.