Or is that really not allowed, as your father used to say?
It’s hard to imagine for the younger readers, but the first Game Boys had no screen lighting. If you wanted to become a true Pokémon master (strength, drive, and level up), then you had to game under a light. You could ask for an uncomfortably bright birthday light to click on your Game Boy, but it was always in the back of the car on the drive to France when you needed it. So in the dark there was nothing to do but turn on the light in the car. Much to your parents’ dissatisfaction.
Most drivers prefer not to have the interior lighting on while driving. Many even claim that you can be fined if you drive with the ceiling light on. But is that really so? To make it clear once and for all whether you will be fined for driving with the interior lighting, we asked the police for an explanation. It seems they know a thing or two about it. As it turns out: it’s allowed, but there are exceptions.
Is it allowed to drive with interior lighting on?
‘In principle, it is not an offense to have regular lighting on in a vehicle when you are driving. This is because it meets the standardization requirement from the manufacturers. What could be punishable, however, and could also lead to distraction in traffic, is lighting that you have installed yourself (for example, Christmas lights in lorry cabins). There must therefore be an unsafe situation. If necessary, fines can be imposed under Article 5 of the Road Traffic Act,” a police spokesperson told TopGear.
Another good reason not to do it
Have you ever been on a train in the dark lately? Have you noticed how difficult it is to look outside when all the lights in the train are on? You also have that effect in the car. The interior lighting reflects in the car window, making it more difficult for the driver to see outside. Although it is certainly not illegal to drive with the interior lighting on, it is not wise. They’re not that crazy, those parents of yours.
