What is the standard illumination distance for car low beams?
2 Answers
There is no standard specifying the exact distance in meters for car low beams, only regulations on the luminous intensity and beam position of headlights. However, generally speaking, on level roads, car low beams should illuminate the area 25-35 meters ahead of the vehicle. Article 48 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates: On roads without central separation facilities or center lines, drivers should switch to low beams when meeting oncoming vehicles at a distance beyond 150 meters. Low beams must be used when meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or bridges. When driving at night under conditions of no street lighting, poor illumination, or low visibility due to fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, vehicles traveling in the same direction should use low beams when following closely behind another vehicle. When passing through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signals at night, drivers should alternately switch between high and low beams as a warning. When driving on unlit roads at night at speeds below 30 km/h, low beams may be used. At speeds exceeding 30 km/h, high beams may be used. When driving on well-lit road sections at night, low beams should be used.
I remember my driving instructor once mentioned that the standard illumination distance of a car's low beam headlights is generally around 30 to 40 meters, primarily for nighttime driving safety. For instance, when driving at 60 km/h, the emergency braking distance is approximately 40 meters, so the headlights must illuminate this far to clearly spot obstacles in advance and avoid rear-end collisions or hitting pedestrians. However, the exact distance may vary slightly depending on national regulations. China's national standard GB requires at least 30 meters, while the EU may mandate up to 40 meters. I regularly check my car's headlights. If I notice the illumination is too close, it might be due to misaligned headlight angles or aging bulbs, which need immediate fixing to reduce nighttime driving risks. For regular maintenance, it's recommended to inspect the lighting system every six months to ensure the brightness complies with regulations.
