The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Original purpose of parking lights?

On my 1952 Chevy 3100, when the light switch is pulled partway out, the parking lights come on. When the switch is pulled all the way out, the parking lights go off, and the headlights and taillights come on.
That got me wondering - what was the original purpose of parking lights?

Another, similar, explanation of the term "parking lights/lamps".

In some European countries (UK, Canada, Germany, for example) it is not legal to drive with only the parking lights on (and headlights off). I wish that was the case in the USA, especially in states wherein lights must be on if the windshield wipers are on.

It IS the case here in Illinois, just most of the ime the police won't bother with something thay minor. Also alot of drivers are just simply ignorant of the laws and regulations of vehicle operation.

TCLederman, that is a good article.

The same in California, it is not legal to drive with parking lights only. I failed this on the drivers test when I moved to CA in 1980.

In some states when there were no steet lights you had to leave your PARKING lights on when parked. Some people used to hang a lantern on the left rear of the parked car. Some imported car have a switch that just turns on the left front and rear parking light.

France, naturally, was about the only exception to the "no parking lights only while driving rule". They called the parking lights "city lights" and it was illegal to drive in the city with your headlights on because the bright lights disturbed the resident's sleep (no curtains, apparently). This was true in the 1950s, don't know about now.

I know that in Japan the drivers actually turn off the headlamps and activate the parking lamps even when stopped at a stop light, and it seems that I recall the same practice in Singapore and other ports beyond. I never asked if it was the law or perhaps they were doing it to save fuel. If I was to do that with my '41 I would more than likely be crushed by now, especially down here in Florida where a lot of drivers don't see well, especially at night.

BTW, Randy Rundle, AKA "The Electrocutioner" has a tech tip at Make your parking lights into running lights

My Dad tells me of a story when he was in Brooklyn in the late 40's, he was driving down one of the avenues and everyone kept signalling him to shut off the headlights. They were/are proud of the streetlights and there was no reason to have headlights on while driving at night in Brooklyn, NYC.

The parking lights were designed for the armed forces entry gates,oh don't you know? You turned your head lights off so the guard could see your base entry sticker easly at night without blinding them.LOL It's a no-brainer no one really knows why we have them. And like I said before if a cop gives a ticket for running your p-lights alone in light conditions,"he really needs to find something to do because he or she is bored",and you need more crime in your city.

Hmmmmm! I thought they were so the wife wouldn't trip over anything while she unloaded the truck!

I recall my Mother talking about in San Diego, CA. during WWII parking lights were all that was allowed on after dark due to fears of offshore attack. Also, neighborhoods all had citizen patrols that would knock on your house window if you were to have a visible light on inside. All I remember is my new Radio Flyer wagon had wood wheels/tires to conserve rubber. Doug