How far should you switch to low beam when driving at night?
2 Answers
When meeting another vehicle at night, you should switch to low beam at least 150 meters away from the oncoming vehicle. On narrow roads, narrow bridges, or when meeting non-motorized vehicles, low beam should be used. During such encounters, high beams are too bright and directly shine into the eyes of the opposing driver, making it difficult for them to see the road ahead and increasing the risk of accidents. Using low beams can prevent this situation, so it is important to actively switch to low beam. The Road Traffic Safety Law, Article 48, stipulates the correct use of vehicle lights: During nighttime when streetlights are on, or when driving in conditions of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, headlights, position lights, and tail lights should be turned on; When turning, changing lanes, overtaking, making a U-turn, or pulling over, turn signals should be activated 100 to 50 meters in advance; When passing through an intersection controlled by traffic signals and turning left, turn signals should be activated, and low beams should be used when driving at night; When a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, high beams should not be used; On roads without central barriers or centerlines, when meeting another vehicle at night, low beam should be used at least 150 meters away from the oncoming vehicle. On narrow roads or bridges, or when meeting non-motorized vehicles, low beam should be used; When driving through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or uncontrolled intersections at night, high and low beams should be alternated to signal; If a vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident on the road, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move, hazard warning lights should be activated, and a warning sign should be placed 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle. At night, position lights and tail lights should also be turned on. When meeting another vehicle at night, the following precautions should be taken: At night, the headlights of an oncoming vehicle can cause glare, making it difficult for the driver to see the road ahead. In such cases, the driver should avoid looking directly at the oncoming vehicle's lights and instead shift their gaze to the right, away from the opposing vehicle's lights, and reduce speed; When meeting another vehicle at night, always practice "courtesy first." If the oncoming vehicle does not switch to low beam, immediately reduce speed and use intermittent flashing lights to signal them to change. If the other vehicle continues to use high beams, pull over and let them pass. Never retaliate by using high beams yourself, as this can easily lead to accidents.
I often drive at night and fully understand the importance of proper light usage. Generally speaking, when encountering oncoming vehicles or following another car, you should switch to low beams at a distance of about 150 meters. The exact timing depends on actual road conditions—on narrow rural roads, you might need to switch at 100 meters, while on poorly lit highways, 150 to 200 meters is safer. Delaying the switch can cause temporary blindness for other drivers due to high beam glare, significantly increasing accident risks. Once, I was nearly blinded by strong lights and almost veered off the road, which made me extra cautious about lighting etiquette. I recommend new drivers develop the habit of switching to low beams as soon as they see the outline of another car's headlights in the rearview mirror. This practice greatly enhances safety, especially since nighttime visibility is already limited—every bit of caution reduces risk.
