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Is it illegal to turn on the light while driving?
I have small children who always drop things in the car while I’m driving. Most of the time, they want to retrieve the item ASAP—even if it’s dark. So, we have to turn on the cabin light to find it. Is it illegal to turn the interior light on while driving a car? We don’t want to get in trouble with law enforcement!
Tiffany Leung · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Many people are unclear about this! I’m happy to help shed some light. (Pun intended.)
It is not illegal to turn on the light while driving. However, it is also not the safest thing to do.
Below are a few reasons why it could be dangerous to have your cabin lights on while driving:
- Affects your field of vision: With the light on in the car, it could limit what you’re able to see on the road and around the car.
- Considered distracted driving: Your passengers’ movements (e.g., retrieving a toy) could distract you from the road. This increases the chance of getting into an accident, and a cop can pull you over for distracted driving.
- Distracts other drivers: Not only will the light distract you, but it will also distract other drivers around you. Causing them to lose focus is also dangerous as they could get into a collision.
If you absolutely need to turn on your overhead lights, it is best to pull over to the side of the road before doing so. Once you find what you need, you can
continue on your route safely
.No matter how careful you are on the road, accidents happen. For ultimate peace of mind, make sure you have great car insurance. But there’s
no need to overpay
! Just go to Jerry
.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
MORE: 8 pro tips for long car rides with kids
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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