How to Use Lights When Driving Uphill and Downhill at Night
2 Answers
When the light shifts from one side of the road to the other, it indicates that the vehicle has entered a series of curves, and the driver should slow down and keep to the right. When you can clearly see the license plate number of the vehicle in front, it usually indicates that you are following too closely and must increase the distance. Before starting, turn on the lights to see the road clearly, and turn them off after the vehicle comes to a complete stop; for temporary parking, turn on the parking lights and taillights to attract attention. On streets and suburban roads with streetlights, if the speed is within 30km/h and the reflection of ground light is strong, reduce speed and switch to low beams or parking lights. On streets and roads without streetlights, when driving at speeds above 30km/h, use high beams.
Proper lighting setup is crucial when driving uphill or downhill at night. With years of mountain road experience, I always switch from high beams to low beams before ascending to avoid blinding oncoming traffic—last year I once forgot to adjust my lights, and an approaching car nearly collided with me, but fortunately, I switched the lights in time to avoid disaster. The same applies when descending; using low beams ensures stable visibility and helps detect road changes. Steep slopes often have sharp turns, and improper lighting adjustments can easily lead to accidents. I make it a habit to manually check the light controls at the start of an uphill climb and before descending to ensure safety. Nighttime visibility is already low, and combined with slow driving and observing traffic signals, this small precaution can be life-saving. Developing good habits is what truly defines skilled driving.
