positielampen

Positielampen, also known as parking lights or sidelights, are a type of vehicle lighting designed to increase visibility when a vehicle is parked, especially at night or in conditions of poor visibility. They are typically located at the front and rear of a vehicle, often on the sides, and are illuminated by a low-wattage bulb. The primary purpose of positielampen is to make the vehicle more conspicuous to other road users, thereby reducing the risk of collisions. They are distinct from headlights, which are used for illuminating the road ahead, and taillights, which are primarily for signaling braking.

In many jurisdictions, the use of positielampen is regulated by law. Regulations may specify when they should be used, such as when parking on a public road during dark hours or when visibility is reduced due to fog, rain, or snow. They are typically activated independently of the main lighting system, often by a separate switch or automatically when the ignition is off and the parking brake is engaged. The intensity of positielampen is intentionally lower than that of headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic or distracting drivers. Their function is purely for making the vehicle's presence known, rather than for active driving illumination.