Taillights—or the red lights on the back of your car or truck—are among the vehicle’s most important parts. In addition to illuminating when you turn your headlights on, they glow bright red whenever you hit your brakes. If your taillights recently sustained damage from a fender bender or other minor accident, here’s why you should schedule auto repairs as soon as possible.

Legal

Driving with broken taillights is illegal throughout the U.S. While driving laws and regulations often vary by state, all 50 require functional taillights to avoid traffic fines. In Alaska, for example, vehicles must have two taillights at least 20 inches in height to comply with traffic laws. Drivers without two functional, correctly sized taillights become subject to police pullovers that can include hefty fines. Rather than facing points on your driving record, in addition to traffic fines, see your local auto repair specialist immediately.

Safety

While the legal aspects of broken taillights are unpleasant, the most important reason to get them fixed quickly is safety. Never drive with broken taillights because other drivers will not know whether you have stopped. This can easily result in rear-end crashes that might affect multiple vehicles on the road. Driving without functional taillights is especially dangerous at night because seeing your vehicle becomes extremely challenging for other drivers. Do not drive your car if you have to wait several days for auto repairs. Take public transportation or use a friend or family member’s vehicle to help yourself stay safe on the road and avoid tickets.

Get your taillights fixed by the auto repair specialists at Professional Automotive to feel safe behind the wheel. The Anchorage, AK-based mechanics provide honest service that clients can depend on and use state-of-the-art equipment, including computer diagnostics, to identify issues quickly. Call the Automotive Service Excellence-certified team today at (907) 562-2471 to schedule your appointment, or learn more about their auto repair services online.