What Lights Should Be Turned On When Driving at Night?
2 Answers
When driving at night, you must turn on the high beam and the width light (also known as the clearance light). Here is some relevant information: 1. When meeting another vehicle at night, you should switch to the low beam, and immediately turn the high beam back on after passing the other vehicle. The width light usually does not have a separate switch; it is generally activated simultaneously with the low beam, meaning that as long as the low beam is turned on, the width light is also on. 2. The low beam and high beam primarily serve as illumination. In special circumstances, such as when overtaking on the highway at night, you can alternately switch between high and low beams to alert the vehicle in front, thereby ensuring safe overtaking. 3. The high beam, also known as the 'headlight,' has a long illumination distance, high brightness, and concentrated, non-dispersed light. It must be turned on when driving at high speeds. The low beam has a shorter illumination distance, relatively dim and dispersed light, making it suitable for use when following other vehicles in urban areas at night. However, for normal nighttime driving, the high beam should still be used.
When driving at night, I always use low beams, which is the safest practice. Low beams illuminate the road clearly without directly blinding oncoming drivers, making them especially practical on well-lit urban roads—providing sufficient light while avoiding glare risks. I’ve had this habit since my driving lessons; my instructor repeatedly emphasized that high beams should only be used on completely empty roads, such as highways or deserted rural areas, and should be switched back to low beams as soon as distant headlights are spotted. Automatic headlight systems are also great—they sense darkness and turn on by themselves, eliminating the hassle of manual operation. Remember, don’t casually use fog lights or flashing lights to confuse directions; visibility is low at night, and a small mistake could lead to a major accident. Safety always comes first, so check your light settings before every trip.
