I didn't think reversing lights had a designed practical purpose. If they did then they'd be bigger and on both sides. No, their only purpose is to inform other road users of your unusual direction of travel.
I think you're right Fred; they're fitted to cars as a safety feature to warn others that you are reversing or intend to reverse; the primary purpose isn't to help the driver see where they're reversing. Not very helpful though if you need to reverse in unlit areas at night and you can't see where you're going.
My car is small and easy to manoeuvre and reverse into small spaces........during daylight hours. I've got both parking sensors and a reversing camera primarily for night time use as I live in an area with no street lighting, and reversing after dark wthout sensors and camera - even in a small car - can sometimes be challenging.
