What should you do if your brake lights are not working?

If your brake lights are not functioning, driving cautiously and being aware of other drivers is crucial for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Brake lights are essential for signaling your intentions to stop or slow down to the vehicles behind you, and when they are not working, you become a potential hazard.

By driving cautiously, you reduce the risk of rear-end collisions as other drivers may not be aware of your intentions. This means maintaining a safe following distance, slowing down earlier than usual when approaching stops, and being extra vigilant at intersections or when facing heavy traffic.

Awareness of your surroundings, including checking mirrors frequently and using other forms of communication with other drivers, also becomes necessary when your brake lights are not operational. This proactive approach can help mitigate any dangers that arise from the malfunctioning brake lights while you arrange to have them fixed.

Other options, such as relying solely on hand signals or ignoring the issue until confronted by law enforcement, do not adequately address the safety risk posed by non-functioning brake lights. Returning home immediately to fix the vehicle, while well-intentioned, may not always be practical depending on your location and the traffic conditions. The best course of action is to drive cautiously while prioritizing safety.