
How to use vehicle lights when driving at night: 1. When meeting an oncoming vehicle on a road without central separation facilities or center lines, you must not use high beams within 150 meters of the approaching vehicle; 2. When meeting a non-motorized vehicle on a narrow bridge or narrow road without central separation facilities or center lines, you must not use high beams; 3. When driving at night with no streetlights, poor lighting, or in low visibility conditions such as fog, rain, snow, or dust, and when the following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, you must not use high beams; 4. When passing sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, pedestrian crossings, or intersections without traffic signal control, you should alternately switch between high and low beams to signal.

I've been driving at night for over a decade, and proper light usage is crucial for safety. After starting the vehicle, the first thing I do is turn on the low beams, which illuminate the road about ten meters ahead without dazzling oncoming drivers. On pitch-dark country roads or empty highways, I switch to high beams to widen my field of vision, but immediately revert to low beams when I spot headlights or reflections. In rainy or foggy conditions with poor visibility, I activate the fog lights, remembering to turn them off when the weather clears to avoid glare interference. Urban driving requires more sensitivity with lights—I stick to low beams to prevent disputes; rural or suburban roads allow slightly more flexibility. Regularly check your light alignment and cleanliness—too low and you'll miss potholes, too high and you risk blinding others. Safety comes first—proper lighting helps you avoid rear-end collisions or being hit.

When I first started driving, I was clueless about nighttime lighting, but now I'm familiar with the basics. Start the engine, turn the knob to the low beam mode to keep the road illuminated without affecting others; switch to high beams for better visibility when the road is clear and no vehicles are around, but always remember to turn them off. The first time I forgot to switch back from high beams, an oncoming car flashed me as a warning, and that taught me to be careful. In urban driving, low beams are sufficient, while on highways, high beams can be used appropriately to read signs clearly. In foggy conditions with visibility below 100 meters, turn on the fog lights, but avoid using them unnecessarily on clear days as they drain the battery. Regularly maintain the lighting system, such as replacing aging bulbs and cleaning the lamp covers. New drivers will get used to the rhythm of switching lights with a bit more practice.

Having driven long distances for years, I've developed my own insights on nighttime lighting. I usually start with low beams to illuminate the road ahead; when encountering dark, remote sections, I switch to high beams for better visibility but immediately turn them off upon spotting any light source to avoid conflicts. In heavy fog or rain, I activate the fog lights and turn them off once visibility improves for convenience. I prefer manually adjusting the lights as automatic systems sometimes misjudge, whereas manual control offers more precision. I remind myself to avoid setting the lights too high or too low, adjusting the reflectors for even illumination. Safe driving starts with small details, and proper light usage reduces accident risks.


