متى يجب علي استخدام أنوار الوقوف (الباركينج) في الإمارات؟

[DelPaige]

In the UAE, you must use parking lights (وضع الجانبية) when your vehicle is stationary on a public road at night or during the day when visibility is significantly reduced, such as in a sandstorm or heavy rain, to make it visible from a distance. This is mandated by traffic regulations. According to the Federal Traffic Law enforced by the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI UAE), any vehicle parked on a road between sunset and sunrise must have its lights on or be in a well-lit area. The RTA Dubai further clarifies in its driving guidelines that during poor visibility conditions where visibility drops below 100 meters, drivers must use appropriate lights, which includes parking lights when stationary for safety. For example, if you have to pull over on the shoulder of the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway during a sudden Shamal wind dust storm in the afternoon, switching to parking lights is essential for others to see your stationary Toyota Land Cruiser or Nissan Patrol.

The function and energy consumption of parking lights are often misunderstood. Unlike headlights, they are low-wattage bulbs designed to illuminate the front side markers and rear tail lights dimly, making the vehicle's outline visible without significantly draining the battery. In common GCC-spec models like the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Tucson, the power draw for a full set of parking lights is typically between 15 to 25 watts. Leaving them on overnight (e.g., 10 hours) would consume approximately 0.25 kWh from a standard 12V, 60Ah battery, which is a safe and intended use designed to prevent a flat battery in most modern vehicles. The key is not to confuse them with "position lights" on some European imports, which may be brighter. The rule of thumb for UAE summers is that if you are parked and waiting in the car with the A/C on, it's safer to use parking lights; if you are leaving the car unattended for extended periods, ensure it is legally parked in a designated spot, as leaving lights on is not a substitute for illegal parking.

[McVera]

As someone who commutes daily on Sheikh Zayed Road, I use the parking lights when I'm pulled over just before the toll gate (Salik) to quickly check my phone or wait for someone. It's dim enough not to blind others in slow traffic but makes my white Corolla visible in the harsh afternoon glare. I never use them for actual overnight parking in my Dubai Marina residence—that's what the building basement is for. I find them more useful during early morning fog in Abu Dhabi in winter than at night here, where street lights are bright.

[McArianna]

As someone who commutes daily on Sheikh Zayed Road, I use the parking lights when I'm pulled over just before the toll gate (Salik) to quickly check my phone or wait for someone. It's dim enough not to blind others in slow traffic but makes my white Corolla visible in the harsh afternoon glare. I never use them for actual overnight parking in my Dubai Marina residence—that's what the building basement is for. I find them more useful during early morning fog in Abu Dhabi in winter than at night here, where street lights are bright.

[Wayne]

In my used-car showroom in Sharjah's industrial area, I check parking lights on every car during the pre-sale inspection. It’s a simple thing, but if they don’t work, it makes me question the general electrical maintenance of the car, especially for older models like the 2015 Mitsubishi Pajero. I advise buyers that if they plan to park on the street in Ajman or older parts of Dubai where street lighting is less consistent, fully functional parking lights are a must for safety and to avoid a potential fine from local authorities.

[MacBrantley]

From an insurance advisory perspective at our Dubai office, correctly using parking lights in low-visibility conditions is a minor but noted factor in claims. If you're stationary on the road during a sandstorm with no lights on and get hit, the investigating officer's report might assign partial liability. We see this occasionally on roads leading to Liwa. It's a basic precaution that supports a non-fault claim.