When is it necessary to illuminate your brake lights?

Illuminating your brake lights when you need to warn other drivers that you are slowing down is essential for safe driving. The primary purpose of brake lights is to communicate to those behind you that your vehicle is decelerating or preparing to stop. This visual signal helps prevent rear-end collisions by allowing other drivers adequate time to react to your actions.

While stopping at a red light and signaling lane changes or turns may also involve using brake lights, the key function is to alert following vehicles about a decrease in speed. Therefore, using brake lights in a broader context, particularly when slowing down for various reasons—whether it's preparing to stop, approaching a curve, or decelerating to adjust to traffic flow—is crucial for overall road safety.