How to Use Lights When Driving a Motor Vehicle at Night?
2 Answers
When driving a motor vehicle at night without street lights, poor lighting, or under conditions of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, the headlights, position lights, and rear lights should be turned on. However, high beams should not be used when a following vehicle is driving close behind another vehicle in the same direction. During foggy conditions, fog lights and hazard warning flashers should be activated. Additional Information: 1. Article 48 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" states that when meeting another vehicle at night, drivers should switch to low beams at least 150 meters away from the oncoming vehicle. On narrow roads, narrow bridges, or when meeting non-motorized vehicles, low beams must be used. 2. Article 51 specifies that when a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic signals, it should proceed as follows: When turning left, the vehicle should turn from the left side near the center of the intersection. Turn signals should be activated when turning, and low beams should be used when driving at night. 3. Article 59 states that when a motor vehicle passes through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, pedestrian crossings, or uncontrolled intersections at night, it should alternately use high and low beams as a signal. When approaching sections that affect safe visibility, such as sharp curves or the top of a slope, or when overtaking or encountering an emergency, the vehicle should slow down and sound the horn as a warning. 4. Article 60 requires that if a motor vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident on the road, obstructing traffic and making it difficult to move, the hazard warning flashers should be activated, and a warning sign should be placed 50 to 100 meters behind the vehicle. At night, position lights and rear lights should also be turned on simultaneously. 5. Article 61 stipulates that when towing a faulty motor vehicle, the following rules must be observed: Both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should have their hazard warning flashers activated.
I remember when I was taking my driver's license test, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the rules for using lights at night. In urban areas with streetlights, you should use low beams to see clearly and avoid dazzling pedestrians. On unlit sections of national highways, you can use high beams, but you must switch back to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is at least 150 meters away—this is a must-know point for the third driving test. Don't use high beams in rain or fog; the glare from fog makes it even harder to see. Instead, turn on your fog lights along with low beams. Before overtaking, flash your headlights twice to alert the car ahead, and wait for them to yield before passing. If you're temporarily parked on the roadside, remember to turn on your parking lights or hazard warning lights; otherwise, vehicles behind you won't be able to see you clearly.
