What lights should be turned on during normal night driving?
2 Answers
During normal night driving, you must turn on the high beam and width indicator lights. When encountering oncoming traffic at night, you should switch to low beam and immediately turn the high beam back on after passing. Width indicator lights usually do not have a separate switch and are activated simultaneously with the low beam, meaning that turning on the low beam also turns on the width indicator lights. The low beam and high beam primarily serve for illumination. In special circumstances, such as overtaking on the highway at night, you can alternately switch between high and low beams to alert the vehicle in front, ensuring safe overtaking. The high beam, also known as the headlight, has a long illumination distance, high brightness, and concentrated light without dispersion. It is essential to turn on the high beam when driving at high speeds.
Driving at night requires turning on the headlights, also known as the main beams. The primary purpose of turning on the lights is to illuminate the road, allowing you to see obstacles ahead while also making your vehicle visible to other drivers, thus preventing rear-end collisions or crashes. As an experienced driver with over twenty years behind the wheel, I’ve encountered many careless incidents where drivers didn’t turn on their lights at night—making it dangerously difficult to spot vehicles on dark roads. Now, I’ve developed a habit: turning on the headlights as soon as it gets dark and checking if the taillights are working to ensure overall visibility. High beams can be used temporarily on unlit remote roads, but they must be switched back to low beams when encountering oncoming traffic or following another vehicle—otherwise, it becomes unsafe. Lights are a guardian for nighttime driving, and regularly checking bulbs and wiring is also crucial to avoid unnoticed malfunctions. Remember, safety comes first—not turning on your lights is asking for trouble, especially during rainy or foggy conditions. Don’t cut corners.
