DRIVERS IN THE DARK OVER CAR LIGHTS

• 12.5 million motorists have suffered a blown bulb in the last year
• A third of motorists never check their car’s lights
• Motorists are reliant on friends to tell them when their bulbs have gone

New research shows that when it comes to car lights, many motorists are being kept in the dark. The study for Kwik Fit reveals that 12.5 million (35%) drivers have suffered at least one blown bulb in the last 12 months.

The research also shows that 35% of drivers don’t check their lights from one year to the next, so rely on others to tell them when a lamp has blown. 23% have been told by friends, 8% by other drivers but 3% of motorists have faced the ultimate sanction and been pulled over by the police.

The most common way drivers spot that one of their own lights has blown is when they see their car’s reflection (17%). More people spot a blown bulb in this way than through a dashboard warning light (14%) or through reduced light when driving at night (13%).

With the clocks having gone back, and more drivers likely to be journeying home in the dark, Kwik Fit is encouraging all motorists to check their lights on a regular basis. Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit says:  “Faulty lights are one of the most common reasons for cars failing their MOTs.  But we would urge drivers not to leave it until the MOT to check all their lights are working, or rely on others to point it out to them.”

Women seem to be luckier in the bulb stakes as just a quarter (28%) of women have had a lamp blow on them in the past year versus two-in-five (41%) men. That said, more women than men rely on others to notice when a bulb has gone (45% versus 35%), so it could be that more women are blissfully unaware.

Table one: how motorists notice when a bulb blows