Mystery on I-229: Why Are So Many Modern Cars Driving Without Lights in Sioux Falls?

I noticed a worrying trend driving on I-229 in Sioux Falls last night. We were traveling along when out of nowhere a dark blob came up in the inside lane, passed me, and moved over to exit onto Minnesota Ave.

Nothing special there, except that it was at 10:00 PM, it was raining pretty hard, and this vehicle had its lights OFF!

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Why are drivers in Sioux Falls not using headlights at night?

This isn't the first time I've seen this. About once a week, I'll drive by someone without their lights on. And not old, vintage cars. Modern cars that come ready to run

Modern Cars and the Mystery of Missing Headlights

This is frustrating not only because driving with your headlights, rear lights, etc, on is not only a very useful safety measure, but in 2025 it's automatic in most cars.

If you are driving a car manufactured in the last 25 years, you have automatic running lights. I haven't turned a car's lights on or off during this century. It's automatic, they come that way. You have to turn them off purposely. You have to make a point to set things up so the lights don't run.

READ MORE: Rant - 5 Simple Rules for Driving on I-229 Without Chaos

The only reason I can think of for a car's light to be off would be that the driver thinks they are somehow saving energy or wear and tear.

First, with the comparatively minuscule amount of electricity that modern light bulbs use, turning the lights off saves nothing.

And if you're not going to squeeze any meaningful extra life out of the light by not letting them run as designed. Trying to save a nickel will cost you thousands when you cause an accident.

Leave your lights on. It's about your safety and mine.