How many meters to switch to low beam?
2 Answers
150 meters or beyond, 150m means you must switch to low beam when the distance to the oncoming vehicle is no less than or equal to 150m. Traffic safety regulations stipulate: Article 48 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" states: On roads without central separation facilities or center lines, when motor vehicles encounter oncoming traffic, the following rules shall be observed: (5) During nighttime encounters, switch to low beam when the oncoming vehicle is 150 meters or more away, and use low beam when encountering non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or narrow bridges. Notes for encounters on narrow roads: During nighttime encounters, switch to low beam when the oncoming vehicle is 150 meters or more away, and use low beam when encountering non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or narrow bridges. On very narrow roads, if low beam still causes glare when vehicles are about 50 meters apart, turn off the low beam and use parking lights to ensure safety. After switching to or turning off the low beam, if the road conditions are unclear and you need to observe distant conditions, you may briefly turn on the low or high beam for observation, but the duration should not be too long (a quick flash is sufficient) to avoid dazzling the oncoming driver. However, when encountering non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or bridges, do not use intermittent lighting to prevent dazzling cyclists and causing accidents.
I remember when I first started driving, I often struggled with when to switch to low beams. Now it's clear: according to traffic rules, you should typically switch when you're about 150 meters away from an oncoming vehicle. This number isn't arbitrary—it's mainly to avoid accidents caused by high beams directly shining into the other driver's eyes and causing glare. Usually, on highways or rural roads, I estimate the distance in advance, roughly equivalent to three or four lanes in length. If I notice an oncoming car hasn't switched from high beams, I immediately switch to low beams to remind them. After developing this habit, nighttime driving has become much safer, and it also helps avoid fines. Remember, it's always better to switch early rather than late, especially on curves or when obstacles are present. The 150-meter rule is just a baseline—stay flexible.
