What does the inspection of brake lights ensure?

The inspection of brake lights primarily ensures that they activate when the brake pedal is pressed. This functionality is critical for vehicle safety, as brake lights serve to alert other drivers when a vehicle is slowing down or stopping. If a vehicle's brake lights do not illuminate when the brakes are engaged, it significantly increases the risk of accidents, as other drivers may not be aware that the vehicle is decelerating or stopping.

While aspects like color, cleanliness, and daytime functionality may be important for overall vehicle visibility and compliance with regulations, the core purpose of checking brake lights during an inspection is to confirm their activation in response to the brake pedal being pressed. Ensuring this function is operational promotes safety on the road by providing clear communication of a driver's actions to others.