What lights should be used when driving straight through an intersection at night?
4 Answers
When driving straight through an intersection at night, vehicles should alternately use high and low beams to signal. When passing through sharp curves, slopes, arch bridges, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signal control at night, drivers should also alternately use high and low beams to signal. When approaching sections with limited visibility such as sharp curves or the top of slopes, or when overtaking or encountering emergencies, motor vehicles should slow down and sound the horn as a warning. When passing through intersections controlled by traffic signals, motor vehicles should adhere to the following rules: 1. At intersections marked with guide lanes, enter the guide lane in the required direction; 2. When preparing to enter a roundabout, yield to vehicles already in the intersection; 3. When turning left, turn left from the center of the intersection. Turn on the turn signal when turning and use low beams when driving at night; 4. When the signal permits, proceed in order; 5. When the stop signal is given, stop in order before the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop outside the intersection; 6. When turning right and there is a vehicle waiting for the signal in the same lane ahead, stop and wait; 7. At intersections without directional signal lights, turning vehicles must yield to straight-moving vehicles and pedestrians. Right-turning vehicles from the opposite direction must yield to left-turning vehicles.
I always use low beams when driving through intersections at night. Using high beams while going straight can blind oncoming drivers and even cause pedestrians to lose their vision momentarily, which is extremely dangerous. Last week, I witnessed a driver with high beams on nearly hit an electric scooter that suddenly darted out, and it made my palms sweat. In fact, traffic laws clearly state that low beams should be used when passing sharp curves, slopes, or intersections without traffic signals at night. Even when going straight, it’s important to develop good habits. I always switch to low beams about a hundred meters before reaching an intersection, keep my foot on the brake as a precaution, and only switch back to high beams after confirming it’s safe. It’s also crucial to watch out for pedestrians darting out between cars—many riders now wear black masks, making them even harder to spot.
New drivers who have just passed the Subject 3 test know that low beams must be used when driving straight through an intersection at night. Instructors repeatedly emphasize that this is a mandatory test item - forgetting it means instant failure. The actual operation is simple: when approaching an intersection, use the light stalk on the left side of the steering wheel to switch from high beams to low beams. Some newer cars have automatic switching functions, but manual control is more reliable. Special attention should be paid to intersections without traffic lights - moonlight alone isn't enough to clearly see turning electric vehicles. I learned this the hard way when I was scolded by the examiner for using high beams that affected oncoming drivers' judgment. Remember to keep your speed below 40 km/h when switching to low beams, leaving yourself enough reaction time.
When driving through intersections at night, practicality is key. With ten years of taxi driving experience, I've learned: use low beams when going straight to balance road illumination and avoid glare. High beams project too far, turning traffic signs into blinding white reflections. Just last week, while driving a passenger down Xinyuan Road late at night, I nearly missed a no-entry sign because of my high beams. City streetlights provide ample brightness, and low beams are perfectly sufficient for spotting potholes. The real focus should be on watching for jaywalkers, especially those wearing dark clothing. Once at 3 a.m., a drunk suddenly darted across the zebra crossing—fortunately, my low beams caught the movement of his shoes. In life-or-death moments like that, even half a second makes all the difference.
