Why You Need to Fix Your Busted Tail Light Right Away

Written by Formula 1 Collision on February 28, 2023. Posted in Maintenance.

A broken tail light is not only an annoyance; it can also pose a significant safety hazard. As such, it’s in your best interest to replace a broken tail light as soon as possible. The team at Formula 1 Collision Center is here to talk about why fixing a busted tail light right away is the best decision.

Broken Tail Light Increase the Risk of Accidents

Above all, driving with a broken tail light can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Tail lights exist to tell other drivers when you apply the brakes and slow down. If your tail light is broken, there is a real risk that other drivers won’t register when you hit the brakes and may cause a rear-end accident. Getting rear-ended can cause mild to major injuries—replacing your busted tail light keeps you safe.

Driving with a Broken Tail Light Is Against the Law

Additionally, driving with a broken tail light in Arizona is a traffic violation and is against the law. While you most likely won’t get hauled off to jail, you can incur a hefty fine if a police officer pulls you over for a broken tail light or broken tail light cover. A cracked tail light cover can emit white light, and brake lights are supposed to be red.

Causes of Broken Tail Lights

Below are some of the most common causes of broken tail lights we encounter in Tucson, AZ.

Bad Fuse

A defective fuse is one of the most common causes of a broken tail light. You can find the fuse box of your car under its hood to assess the problem. Follow the instructions in your car’s user manual to change the bad fuse.

Burnt Out Bulb

Tail light bulbs can also burn out after time and use. The average tail light lasts about five or six years, though other electrical problems can cause them to burn out earlier. LED tail light bulbs have nearly double the average lifespan. Fortunately, changing a burnt-out tail light bulb is a very simple process you can do at home.

Broken Light Socket

One final cause of a broken tail light is a busted tail light socket. Sockets can degrade from corrosion and moisture, or they can suffer a short circuit. You can test light sockets with a handheld multimeter. If you are not sure of the cause of the malfunction, take your car to an auto mechanic to diagnose and fix the issue.

Collision Repair Experts in Tucson, AZ

No matter if you scratched your car or have car problems after a rear-end collision, we can assist. Formula 1 Collision Center has over 40 years of experience serving homeowners in Tucson and the surrounding areas. We offer lifetime warranties on our services, so you can always have peace of mind with our work.