How to Use Lights When Driving at Night
4 Answers
How to use lights when driving at night depends on the situation: 1. When the speed is below 30 kilometers per hour, low beam should be used, and under normal circumstances, the light can illuminate beyond 30 meters; 2. When passing through an intersection, you should slow down 50 to 100 meters away from the intersection, switch from high beam to low beam, and turn on the turn signal to indicate the direction of travel; 3. When the distance to an oncoming vehicle is 150 meters, you should switch from high beam to low beam to avoid obstructing the view of the oncoming driver. If the other party does not switch to low beam, you should immediately slow down and alternately use high and low beams to signal the other party; 4. When driving on well-lit roads, low beam should be used.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I frequently travel at night and place great emphasis on proper light usage. I always turn on my headlights before dusk to ensure clear visibility. When driving in the city, I stick to low beams to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers and causing accidents. On open suburban roads, I switch to high beams for better distance illumination, but immediately revert to low beams when spotting approaching headlights or pedestrians. In foggy conditions, I activate fog lights—they cut through the mist and enhance visibility. Remember to regularly clean lamp covers, as dirt can significantly reduce brightness. During annual maintenance, have the beam angle checked to prevent it from pointing too high or low. Adopting these habits has made nighttime driving much safer and noticeably reduced accident rates.
From a traffic regulations perspective, I fully understand the mandatory requirements for nighttime lighting usage. The law stipulates that headlights must be turned on when it's dark or visibility drops below 200 meters. In urban areas, I strictly use low beams and never activate high beams to avoid disturbing others. On highways, I only use high beams when there's no oncoming traffic, but I always switch back to low beams at least 150 meters before encountering another vehicle. Fog lights are exclusively reserved for fog, rain, or snow conditions - I never turn them on unnecessarily. I must also emphasize that installing ultra-bright LED lights is illegal, as factory-installed lights are perfectly adequate. Before daily driving, I quickly inspect all lights including brake lights and turn signals to ensure they're functioning properly. Adhering to these small details helps avoid fines while ensuring safety.
I believe the key to safe nighttime driving lies in developing good habits. Before heading out, always check if all lights are functioning: inspect both headlights and fog lights. In the city, I consistently use low beams to avoid dazzling pedestrians; on highways, I switch to high beams for better visibility when the road is wide and clear of traffic, but immediately revert when other vehicles approach. During foggy conditions, combining fog lights with headlights provides clearer vision. I make it a habit to turn off high beams when parked to conserve battery. Additionally, I reduce dashboard brightness to minimize eye strain. These small techniques ensure both convenience and safety.
