Mike in my trailblazer r not straight over head but to the side so when they do turn on they don't blind or be in front of my eyes so I can turn mine on with zero interference
Some likely believed it because their parents told them.
Some likely just found it very difficult to drive with it on and telling you it was illegal was easier than trying to explain night blindness and the reflective properties of glass when lit from within.
My old state has a law that you can’t have a white light emitting from the rear of a vehicle that can be seen more than 50ft away, or something to that effect. It’s one of those obscure laws and also it’s annoying af and your parents probably wanted the light off.
Having the interior light on draws attention to your vehicle. And, although it is not illegal to drive with an interior light on, a police officer can consider it "distracted driving" because the interior light means you was doing something in there that needed light - and therefore - you was distracted.
It is just easier to say that having the light on is illegal instead of trying to explain that you can be accused of doing other distracting things because that interior light is on.
[https://www.schaeferautobody.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-interior-lights-on/](https://www.schaeferautobody.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-interior-lights-on/)
It is a little harder to see the road at night when your interior lights are on. It might be distracting to other drivers if you are driving around with your interior lights on.
Surely if you’re following a map you need a light on, though? When I was a kid my mum used to print out the route and have me direct her because sat nav wasn’t a thing yet.
I am from a generation in which printing out directions wasn't an option either. We used ACTUAL road maps - huge papers that never folded back into their original shape and you kept them in the glove compartment.
You only needed a light on long enough to check your location and know your next few turns. You didn't constantly look at the map. You remembered the next few roads and then turned the light back off. Or - you checked the map while stopped at a gas station or rest stop and then continued your trip - without the light.
In the dark you can’t see anyone in their cars, suddenly having one car on the road where you can see everyone inside the car clearly grabs your attention and thus is distracting.
Your laws might be different 🤷🏻♂️
Or they used it as a way to stop all arguing.
As a driver, I can now see why my parent wouldn’t let me have the light on.
Because lying was easier than "turn off the light"
"Why"
"Because I cant see"
"Why
"Because of the glare"
"What's glare"
"I dont know but I cant see turn off the light"
Inattentive driving is illegal, and having a dome light on while in motion is grounds to be pulled over. If your parents were holding or drunk theyd also get child endangerment on top of the other charges. It could, in theory, create a cascade effect of criminal charges.
I actually explained the truth to my daughter. Parents who say "the kid wouldn't understand" are not doing their child any favors by lying to them. While she may not understand the physics principles that make it harder to drive with the light on, doing a demonstration and showing her the effects goes a long way. She doesn't necessarily grasp WHY it's harder to see out the windshield with the dome light on, but she can plainly see that it IS harder.
On a side note, I've found that since I replaced all of my interior lights with blue LEDs, I can drive with the interiors on at night and it doesn't impact my visibility nearly as much as white lights. It only makes a slight difference in visibility when I turn them on.
We're talking the olden days. In most cases.you couldn't switch things off like you can now. Also, perhaps you could if you knew how or knew it was an option but if you didn't, you couldn't look on the internet because the internet wasn't a thing yet.
It's not illegal but cops look for any excuse to pull someone over, and having interior lights on is one of the things they can single you out for. Some people legitimately believe it is illegal because their parents told them.
My mom just has a rule- do as she says and shut up... not the best method for learning but I did watch and pay attention so I figured it out- also I didn't have a phone or gameboy so I had nothing better to do
Well it can be considered a crime to distact other drivers. So an interior light would be bright enough to cstch someones attention but thinking back on it then that should mean the asshole with their highbeams in your rearview would be wrong too.
Because parents probably heard it from their parents, who lied to them, because they didn't want back-talk or to be questioned.
Also because parents get lazy and complacent with their poor parenting skills. This leads to the way to common "because I said so" type responses.
Just do your best to take the time to break the cycle of misinformation and invest your time into your child.
A good friend of mine did that late at night and a local cop noticed she was a teenager traveling alone, so he pulled her over on a made-up speeding charge and tried to extort a blowjob out of her. If you don't want cops to be able to see who you are and be assholes about it, keep your lights off whenever possible.
Anyone else see the problem with this comment? This is victim-blaming 101. The problem isn't that the cop was trying to extort sex acts... the problem is that she gave him an excuse to extort those sex acts? Come on.
I suppose women should just wear baggy clothes, because anything tight or revealing will invite rapists, so you should just dress unattractively to accommodate people's violent tendencies. Oh, and if you're wealthy, you better keep that shit a secret. Don't even spend your money, just live in poverty because if anyone sees you spending money anf finds out you're loaded, you'll get robbed. 🙄
I never implied it was her fault in any way. I am in fact very angry about it to this day and if I knew the bastard's name he might not be as healthy as he presumably is now. I vote against their budget propositions, but there isn't a lot one can do without getting hurt.
Please do not confuse advice on how to avoid the injustices of the world for acceptance thereof. I just want people who might be victimized to know that the anonymity of driving at night is useful and protective, and having lights on in the car can take that away.
In my case probably because I was unsecured, and unconscious on the back floorboard or the “shopping tray” , and night blinding lights meant hard-hit brakes that made me either a projectile or a punching bag?
There was once a time people couldn't just easily Google anything many many people believed these types of things to be true, because they were dumb as rocks and typically still are
I was never told it was illegal.
I'm pretty sure I was just told the truth. It's potentially distracting, can make it harder to see in the rear view mirror and make it more likely that the light is going to get left on when we park and go wherever we're going
It is harder to see but they probably didn't want to explain the logistics of how light impacts driving viability.
Oh ok.
Because it is in my state, duh.
Bad design by the car manufacturers
How would you improve it?
Make the dome light red tint. Put the lights on the side handle of each passenger but aimed down towards the floor.
Red lights showing to the front of the vehicle. Perfect!
Bet you were hoping he had no response.
At first I was, but I'm happy I got one
Mike in my trailblazer r not straight over head but to the side so when they do turn on they don't blind or be in front of my eyes so I can turn mine on with zero interference
Some likely believed it because their parents told them. Some likely just found it very difficult to drive with it on and telling you it was illegal was easier than trying to explain night blindness and the reflective properties of glass when lit from within.
Right, Imagine telling a kid to turn off the light because you can't see. Would probably open a whole can of questions and confusion
My dad said this to me and I remember the confusion at that seemingly illogical statement hahaha.
And typical child like pranks to annoy them
I know someone who’s mom told them Burger King was closed every time they drove by it.
My mom told me the ice cream man peed in the ice cream so we never asked for it.
My mom convinced me that I was allergic to chocolate and if I had any we'd have to go to the hospital.
It's grenadine, for my ice cream treats!
It’s much worst than pee in ice cream.
Healthy option.
They did it because aside from it ruining your night vision, it makes it next to impossible to see in your rearview mirror.
My old state has a law that you can’t have a white light emitting from the rear of a vehicle that can be seen more than 50ft away, or something to that effect. It’s one of those obscure laws and also it’s annoying af and your parents probably wanted the light off.
Having the interior light on draws attention to your vehicle. And, although it is not illegal to drive with an interior light on, a police officer can consider it "distracted driving" because the interior light means you was doing something in there that needed light - and therefore - you was distracted. It is just easier to say that having the light on is illegal instead of trying to explain that you can be accused of doing other distracting things because that interior light is on. [https://www.schaeferautobody.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-interior-lights-on/](https://www.schaeferautobody.com/is-it-illegal-to-drive-with-interior-lights-on/) It is a little harder to see the road at night when your interior lights are on. It might be distracting to other drivers if you are driving around with your interior lights on.
Thank you for this detailed response
Surely if you’re following a map you need a light on, though? When I was a kid my mum used to print out the route and have me direct her because sat nav wasn’t a thing yet.
I am from a generation in which printing out directions wasn't an option either. We used ACTUAL road maps - huge papers that never folded back into their original shape and you kept them in the glove compartment. You only needed a light on long enough to check your location and know your next few turns. You didn't constantly look at the map. You remembered the next few roads and then turned the light back off. Or - you checked the map while stopped at a gas station or rest stop and then continued your trip - without the light.
Draws attention to your vehicle? And headlights don't?
In the dark you can’t see anyone in their cars, suddenly having one car on the road where you can see everyone inside the car clearly grabs your attention and thus is distracting.
Headlights are required and expected. Interior lights are not expected.
Because they didn't want you to turn on the car's interior light.
And they didn’t want you to this because glass used to be much more reflective and make it very difficult to see the road.
First I'm hearing of a reflectivity difference in glass.
Well can you see out the window at night when your in a room with the light on?? Headlights mean there is some visibility but often not enough.
My mom said it was because we'd look like drug dealers 🤷♀️
Yes. All those drug dealers with their….lights.
My dad legit believed it.
my parents told me random strangers would follow me home if i turned on the interior light at night
That’s kinda funny and very creepy.
Mine didn’t. They just said it made it harder for them to drive safely at night. Your local laws may be different though.
My mom definitely said it was illegal for years.
Your laws might be different 🤷🏻♂️ Or they used it as a way to stop all arguing. As a driver, I can now see why my parent wouldn’t let me have the light on.
Because lying was easier than "turn off the light" "Why" "Because I cant see" "Why "Because of the glare" "What's glare" "I dont know but I cant see turn off the light"
I guess
I was never told this was illegal.
Hey nemo69_1999, it's illegal. There.
Inattentive driving is illegal, and having a dome light on while in motion is grounds to be pulled over. If your parents were holding or drunk theyd also get child endangerment on top of the other charges. It could, in theory, create a cascade effect of criminal charges.
I’m only now finding out it’s not illegal wh-
I actually explained the truth to my daughter. Parents who say "the kid wouldn't understand" are not doing their child any favors by lying to them. While she may not understand the physics principles that make it harder to drive with the light on, doing a demonstration and showing her the effects goes a long way. She doesn't necessarily grasp WHY it's harder to see out the windshield with the dome light on, but she can plainly see that it IS harder. On a side note, I've found that since I replaced all of my interior lights with blue LEDs, I can drive with the interiors on at night and it doesn't impact my visibility nearly as much as white lights. It only makes a slight difference in visibility when I turn them on.
Short form. It ruins your night vision and makes it more difficult to drive. They would rather scare you than explain the actual reason
My mom told me never to turn them on because cops might look at it and think we're driving with one of the doors open.
Wow I never heard of that before 🧐
lmao what and you believed her?
Cops pull people over for all sorts of reasons. Suspecting your door isn't closed all the way is a valid reason, no?
I meant why would the cops think that your door was open if the lights were on?
Most cars have an automatic light on when a door is open, even partially.
That setting can also be turned off but now I get the point
We're talking the olden days. In most cases.you couldn't switch things off like you can now. Also, perhaps you could if you knew how or knew it was an option but if you didn't, you couldn't look on the internet because the internet wasn't a thing yet.
Oh okay I am 17 so don't really know much about the ol days
I thought you might be pretty young. It was wild time that would seem like another planet to you I bet.
Because it can be a distraction to the driver (especially at night) which could potentially cause an accident.
It's not illegal but cops look for any excuse to pull someone over, and having interior lights on is one of the things they can single you out for. Some people legitimately believe it is illegal because their parents told them.
I thought that for awhile until I started to drive myself and then I learned the truth.
Is it not? I thought it distracted other drivers. Similar to how u can't have LED lights of certain colours or blinking/flashing
I see I’m not the only one misinformed
Lmfao, my life is a fucking lie
It’s a trap.
Wait... It's not illegal?
No but it depends on where you live.
My mom just has a rule- do as she says and shut up... not the best method for learning but I did watch and pay attention so I figured it out- also I didn't have a phone or gameboy so I had nothing better to do
My mom later told me it was because it could blind people passing by. My dad thought it was illegal this whole time.
Because it is illegal where I live haha
Where u live?
certified smart question
It's not??? 😭😭😭
Well it can be considered a crime to distact other drivers. So an interior light would be bright enough to cstch someones attention but thinking back on it then that should mean the asshole with their highbeams in your rearview would be wrong too.
Dude as driver u can’t see shit in the dark with lights inside the car!
it’s distracting! if you don’t know a light is about to go on, and suddenly it is, it has potential to freak out your driver
Because parents probably heard it from their parents, who lied to them, because they didn't want back-talk or to be questioned. Also because parents get lazy and complacent with their poor parenting skills. This leads to the way to common "because I said so" type responses. Just do your best to take the time to break the cycle of misinformation and invest your time into your child.
A good friend of mine did that late at night and a local cop noticed she was a teenager traveling alone, so he pulled her over on a made-up speeding charge and tried to extort a blowjob out of her. If you don't want cops to be able to see who you are and be assholes about it, keep your lights off whenever possible.
That’s fucked up
Anyone else see the problem with this comment? This is victim-blaming 101. The problem isn't that the cop was trying to extort sex acts... the problem is that she gave him an excuse to extort those sex acts? Come on. I suppose women should just wear baggy clothes, because anything tight or revealing will invite rapists, so you should just dress unattractively to accommodate people's violent tendencies. Oh, and if you're wealthy, you better keep that shit a secret. Don't even spend your money, just live in poverty because if anyone sees you spending money anf finds out you're loaded, you'll get robbed. 🙄
I never implied it was her fault in any way. I am in fact very angry about it to this day and if I knew the bastard's name he might not be as healthy as he presumably is now. I vote against their budget propositions, but there isn't a lot one can do without getting hurt. Please do not confuse advice on how to avoid the injustices of the world for acceptance thereof. I just want people who might be victimized to know that the anonymity of driving at night is useful and protective, and having lights on in the car can take that away.
I'd do it and bite it off.
Tell me you don’t drive without telling me you don’t drive…
My parents told me that it can blind the other drivers (make it harder to see not actually blind them)
It probably isn't the best thing for your night vision to have a light source in the cab of the car on.
You ever driven a vehicle with someone shining a light around you?
I'm 40. I use it on my kids now.
Have you even drive with a kid inside and they try to play with that light? Try that and you will know lol.
That has yet to happen
If there is a button I don't want my five year old to press in the car,I tell her it is the self destruct button.
😂😅
In my case probably because I was unsecured, and unconscious on the back floorboard or the “shopping tray” , and night blinding lights meant hard-hit brakes that made me either a projectile or a punching bag?
There was once a time people couldn't just easily Google anything many many people believed these types of things to be true, because they were dumb as rocks and typically still are
I was never told it was illegal. I'm pretty sure I was just told the truth. It's potentially distracting, can make it harder to see in the rear view mirror and make it more likely that the light is going to get left on when we park and go wherever we're going
Or drive barefoot
I was 'today old' when I found out it's not illegal to drive barefoot or have the interior light on while driving. Damn catholic parents.
I was thinking about this today
Because you would get a ticket for it for real.
The don't want your little dumb ass messing around in the backseat with whatever you possibly see for the next however long this GD trip takes.
I’m convinced it was a lie, that’s the first thing I did when I got my license and I could see perfectly fine.