What lights should be used when navigating sharp bends?
3 Answers
When navigating sharp bends, you should use both high and low beams alternately. According to traffic regulations, when a motor vehicle passes through a sharp bend at night, it must first slow down, sound the horn as a signal, and alternately use high and low beams to indicate its presence. Below are some relevant details about navigating sharp bends: Speed and steering control: When approaching a sharp bend, reduce your speed and avoid turning the steering wheel too abruptly to prevent excessive centrifugal force that could cause the vehicle to skid. If the vehicle does skid, immediately release the accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel toward the side where the rear wheels are skidding. Once the vehicle has straightened out, correct the steering wheel and continue driving. Traffic rules: When turning, based on the road and traffic conditions, signal your intention to turn 50m to 10m before the bend (especially at bends with forks). Sound the horn to alert nearby vehicles and pedestrians, appropriately reduce speed to maintain stability, and turn gradually while keeping to the right side of the road.
When navigating sharp turns, your choice of lighting directly impacts safety. I particularly emphasize using low beams because the inner part of curves often has blind spots—they illuminate the road and obstacles. Also, don’t forget to activate your turn signals a few seconds in advance to alert following vehicles of your turning intention. I’ve learned this firsthand while driving in mountainous areas—without proper lighting, it’s easy to miss roadside rocks or pedestrians, increasing risks. Another key point is regularly checking your lighting system: Are the bulbs aging? Are the connectors loose? These habits help prevent accidents, especially at night or in harsh weather. In short, developing good lighting practices enhances overall road safety.
After years of driving, my experience with sharp turns is to prioritize turning on the low beams to clearly see the details of the curve; then add the turn signals to let other vehicles know your intentions. This simple operation has avoided a lot of trouble. For example, once on a steep mountain road, if I hadn't turned on the lights in time, it would have been easy to run off the lane. Also, don't signal too late, otherwise others won't have enough time to react. Additionally, high beams are actually unsuitable for sharp turns as they can easily dazzle and interfere with the other driver's vision, so low beams are the most reliable. I always remind my friends: don't neglect the small things with lights, safety comes first.
