What is Automotive Exterior Lighting & How Does it Work?

What are the specific functions of automotive exterior lighting?

Signal lamps are designed to directly shine into the eyes of traffic participants. They are a major element of the visibility of a vehicle and therefore an important aspect of road safety. The purpose of these lamps is to signal a position or action, like taking a turn or braking. They also create an impression of the outer dimensions of the vehicle by correct placement of position lights.

Headlamps (low beam and high beam) what makes it possible for any vehicle to be driven at night. They are designed to illuminate the road ahead so drivers can see where they are going. They create contrast in case any obstacles or other vehicles a in the driving path of you vehicle. 

Low beams utilize a cut-off line in the beam pattern to avoid glaring oncoming traffic. They illuminate mostly the road and a bit left and right of it, but do not shine light into oncoming traffic.

High beams are also called driving beams. These are the headlights with the most range and create the best driver view at night. However, these headlights must only be used when there is no oncoming traffic since it would be blinding to the drivers of the oncoming traffic. For that reason, high beam headlights must be deactivated manually or must be controlled by an adaptive driving beam (ADB) system.