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Motorists have been issued with a chilling warning by a lorry driver over driving without headlights on.

The photograph of a vehicle was published to the West Midlands Traffic and Travel Facebook group this weekend.

The lorry was driving along the M5 during the downpour on Saturday (December 8).

Scott Martyn Chidley posted a photo on Facebook of what could be seen by the mirrors of his HGV lorry.

He couldn't believe that in such difficult driving conditions, that there was a motorist prepared to continue their journey, almost invisible to other drivers, reports SomersetLive.

Captioning his photo, Scott wrote: "We have over foot long mirrors, imagine in car mirrors?!

"Please, urge you to put your lights on in wet weather.

"It's for your safety that you can be seen."

What does the Highway Code say?

According to Rule 226, the advise for driving in the rain is that you need to use headlights, if visibility is poor.

The rule states: "You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves."

There are various do's and do not's that tackle the issue of lighting. Here is what Rule 113 states and the appropriate action that you need to take.

Rule 113

You MUST

ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise

use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified

use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226 ).

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise).

Want to keep up to date with the latest traffic and travel news? Each day BirminghamLive journalists bring you the latest news on the roads and railways across Birmingham and the West Midlands and further afield to help keep you on the move. For the very latest updates on roads including the M6, M42, M5 and more, visit our dedicated traffic and travel news Facebook page here. You can also bookmark BirminghamLive's Traffic and Travel landing page here.

You MUST NOT

use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders

use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226 ).

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

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