LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

The invention relates to a lighting device (10) for a motor vehicle with a detection device (12) for detecting an operating action of an occupant (18) of the motor vehicle, a lighting device (28) for illuminating an area outside the motor vehicle associated with a door of the motor vehicle, and a computing device (24) for evaluating the detected operating action and for outputting a control signal for activating the lighting device (28) as a function of the evaluation of the detected operating action, wherein the computing device (24) is designed to output the control signal if the detected operating action is evaluated as an approach of a body part of the occupant (18) to a control element for opening the door and/or as contact of the control element by the body part.