7.2 Lighting-Up Times and Use of Lights

Lights help you see, and they help others see you. In Barbados, the law ties most lighting duties to a defined period called "at night."

Lighting-up times: the three "at night" periods (s.2 of the Act)

Barbados test papers ask "How many lighting times are there?" (three) and "What is the lighting time between May and August?" (7:00 pm to 5:00 am). Remember that headlamps also help in heavy rain or dull light outside these hours.

Headlamps and side lamps (reg. 22)

• Every motor vehicle other than a two-wheeled motorcycle must have two headlamps, one each side, that can switch between main beam and dimmed beam together.
• When a motor vehicle is moving on a road at night, the headlamps must be lit and their white light must be strong enough to illuminate the road ahead for at least 100 metres and show the vehicle clearly to approaching traffic (reg. 22(8)).
• A motorcycle needs one headlamp fixed at the centre of the front, and a sidecar needs an extra lamp on its outer side (reg. 22(9)).
• Lamps must be kept clean and efficient (reg. 22(3)(e)).

Dimming (regs. 23, 31(23) and 32)

• Dimmed beams must be deflected downwards so that they do not dazzle (reg. 23).
• At night, dim your headlights on the approach of another motor vehicle and keep them dimmed until it has passed (reg. 31(23)).
• Dim your headlights at night when an emergency vehicle approaches and you pull over (reg. 32).
• If you are dazzled by oncoming lights, slow down and look towards the left edge of the road. Do not retaliate with main beam.

Rear lamps, reflectors and loads (regs. 24 and 25)

• At night, every motor vehicle and trailer must show at least two red lamps to the rear and a lamp lighting the rear number plate (reg. 24). With a trailer, the lamps go on the back of the trailer.
• Every motor vehicle and trailer must have two red rear reflectors, one on each side (one for a motorcycle), and they must be kept clean (reg. 25).
• An overhanging load must be lit at night and marked during the day so that it is clearly visible (reg. 25(4)).
• Stop lights must be at the rear and show red or amber (reg. 28(1)(b)).

Extra lamps need permission (reg. 27)

• No spotlight, lamp or swivelling light may be carried without the permission of the Licensing Authority (reg. 27(1)).
• No person may fit any lamp or headlamp to the front or rear other than the required headlamps and side lamps without the written permission of the Licensing Authority (reg. 27(3)). That is why a Barbados test question asks when you may drive with fog lights: when you have permission from the Licensing Authority.
• A reversing light may be lit only as far as necessary for reversing (reg. 27(2)).

Hazard warning lights

Hazard lights (all four indicators flashing) warn others that your vehicle is a temporary obstruction. Use them when you have broken down or are temporarily stopped where you obstruct traffic, for example after a breakdown on a main road, while you arrange removal (s.89). They do not make illegal parking legal, and you should not drive with them on in rain.

Parked vehicles at night

A motor vehicle or a trailer standing on a road at night must show two white lights at the front, one on each side, and two red lights at the rear strong enough to show its presence from a reasonable distance, with one light for a solo motorcycle (reg. 22(10)). No lighted lamp is needed in places the Commissioner of Police specifies (reg. 26). Under s.89, a vehicle left where it is likely to cause danger must have its presence shown "by lighting or otherwise."

Other road users at night

Expect pedestrians, cyclists and animals on unlit rural roads, and drive at a speed at which you can stop within the distance your lights show to be clear.