How Many Times Should You Alternate Between High and Low Beams When Overtaking?
4 Answers
When overtaking, you should alternate between high and low beams at least twice. Specific instructions are as follows: When overtaking, you should alternate between high and low beams at least twice, while also paying attention to any sudden changes in the vehicle ahead, and complete the overtaking as quickly as possible under safe conditions. Precautions for overtaking: 1. Choose a straight and wide road section: When overtaking, select a straight, wide road section with no obstacles on either side. 2. Do not overtake on curves or in snowy/rainy weather: Avoid overtaking on curves or during snowy/rainy conditions to prevent accidents. 3. Do not overtake during oncoming traffic: At night, do not overtake when facing oncoming traffic or if the vehicle ahead is already overtaking.
Having driven for over a decade, I find that flashing high beams 1-2 times is optimal when overtaking. This effectively alerts the vehicle ahead without being annoying. Typically, flash high beams once when confirming safety and before accelerating, then switch back to low beams; if there's no response from the leading vehicle, one additional flash suffices. Avoid excessive flashing as it may distract or irritate drivers, especially during nighttime overtaking when glare can be hazardous. Overtaking isn't just about lights – always check mirrors, maintain appropriate speed, and signal early. When teaching my friend to drive, I emphasized how this habit reduces accident rates since road safety comes first, with no detail overlooked. While there's no strict rule on flash counts, 1-2 times proves sufficiently effective in practice.
I still remember when I just got my driver's license, the instructor taught us to signal when overtaking by flashing the lights, but didn't specify how many times. I tried flashing three or four times myself, and the car in front thought I was provoking them, which was quite awkward. Later, I figured out from experience that flashing once is enough to be noticeable, especially during daytime overtaking—first flash the high beams and then switch to low beams so the driver ahead can clearly see the intention in the rearview mirror. If the other car doesn't yield, flash once more as a reminder. At night, use the flashing lights even less frequently to avoid dazzling glare. I recommend that beginners practice more in real-road scenarios, such as controlling the rhythm when overtaking on highways—don't just focus on flashing the lights and forget to accelerate and change lanes. The key is to communicate clearly through the lights to ensure a safe transition.
After driving for so many years, I usually just flash the high beams once when overtaking, and at most twice occasionally. Why not flash more? Firstly, flashing too much can be annoying, and secondly, it can easily disturb other drivers' vision at night. For example, on the highway, I'm used to flashing the high beams once as a signal, then switching to low beams to observe the reaction of the car in front; if they yield, I accelerate to pass, and if not, I might flash once more as a reminder. But it's crucial to be moderate—I once saw someone flash more than four times, and the car in front slowed down, causing a traffic jam instead. Good habits are formed early on, and simplicity and effectiveness are key.
