What lights should be turned on when driving at night?
4 Answers
When driving at night, it is generally recommended to turn on the width marker lights and low beam headlights. If the road is poorly lit or there are few oncoming vehicles, you may also use the high beam headlights. However, it is important to note that when encountering oncoming traffic, you should switch from high beam to low beam to avoid affecting the visibility of the other driver and creating a safety hazard. Controlling your speed strictly is a fundamental measure to ensure safety when driving at night. Maintain a moderate speed, increase your following distance, and be prepared to stop at any time. To prevent potential dangers, it is advisable to increase the following distance to avoid collisions between vehicles. When driving at speeds below 30 kilometers per hour at night, use low beam headlights, which should illuminate at least 30 meters ahead. For speeds above 30 kilometers per hour, use high beam headlights, which must illuminate at least 100 meters ahead.
I've been driving for over ten years, and the first thing I do at night is turn on the low beam headlights. This makes the road ahead brighter while avoiding glare for oncoming drivers, improving safety for both myself and others. Not turning on the lights poses extremely high risks, such as reduced visibility in the dark making it easy to hit people or objects, and it may also cause other vehicles to fail to see you, leading to rear-end collisions. In rainy or foggy conditions, I also turn on the parking lights and fog lights for auxiliary lighting, but the headlights are the core. Normally, I check the bulbs and circuits once a month to prevent sudden failures and ensure smooth driving. In short, don’t slack off when driving at night—turning on the lights is a life-saving rule.
Since I was a novice driver, I have always kept in mind the rule that headlights must be turned on at night, specifically the low beams. The law clearly stipulates that failing to turn on the lights can result in fines and demerit points, and may even lead to accidents. In the city, I always use low beams to avoid disturbing pedestrians or other vehicles; on suburban highways, I briefly use high beams for better visibility but immediately switch back when I see oncoming traffic to maintain courtesy. During regular car maintenance, I also have the mechanic check the lighting system to ensure the bulbs and fuses are functioning properly. Adhering to this rule makes driving both safe and worry-free.
I remember one night when I forgot to turn on the headlights while driving. With poor visibility, I almost hit a roadside obstacle—that was a profound lesson. Now, I've developed a habit of first confirming the low-beam headlights are on when starting the car. They illuminate the road while automatically activating the taillights to alert vehicles behind. In severe weather, I’ll add the fog lights, but normally, I stick to low beams to avoid dazzling others. Regular maintenance ensures the lights are in good condition, preventing aging issues. Driving at night feels safer and worry-free with these precautions.
