What lights should be used when overtaking at night?
4 Answers
When using lights for overtaking with a motor vehicle at night: Turn on the left turn signal in advance, alternate between high and low beams, or honk the horn. Due to poor visibility at night, you should alternate between high and low beams to alert other vehicles. Here are some precautions for night driving: 1. Increase the following distance. When driving at night, the driver's visibility is not as broad as during the day, and they often encounter dangerous or emergency situations. Therefore, the driver must be prepared to stop at any time. Under these circumstances, to avoid danger, it is important to appropriately increase the following distance to prevent collisions between vehicles. 2. Try to avoid overtaking. Before overtaking, observe whether there are obstacles on the right side of the vehicle being overtaken to prevent the overtaken vehicle from swerving to the left to avoid obstacles and causing a collision. If overtaking is necessary, continuously alternate between high and low beams to inform the vehicle ahead in advance, and only proceed with overtaking after confirming it is safe to do so. 3. Overcome driving fatigue. Night driving, especially after midnight, is most likely to cause fatigue and drowsiness. Additionally, since the driver cannot see the scenery on both sides of the road, there is less stimulation to keep them alert, making it easier to experience driving fatigue.
I've been driving for over ten years and often need to overtake at night, when the use of lights is crucial. Generally, I first flash the high beams twice quickly to signal the vehicle ahead that I'm about to overtake, giving them time to react and avoid accidents. Before overtaking, it's essential to ensure there are no oncoming vehicles in the opposite lane, otherwise it's very dangerous. During the overtaking process, maintain a safer distance than during the day because visibility is poorer at night. After completing the overtake, I immediately switch back to low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers and causing accidents. Developing such habits can significantly improve driving safety, especially on mountain roads or highways, where lights serve as silent communication tools. Remember to check if your vehicle's lights are functioning properly, such as whether the switches are responsive. Although these small details may seem simple, they can collectively prevent major troubles.
I just got my driver's license and still feel a bit nervous when overtaking at night. My instructor taught me to first flash the high beams a few times to alert the car in front before preparing to overtake. This communicates the intention without being as glaring as keeping the high beams on continuously. In practice, I make sure the opposite lane is clear before proceeding. After overtaking, I immediately turn off the high beams to reduce glare in the rearview mirror. New drivers should practice using the light controls on empty roads to familiarize themselves with the button positions and avoid panic. Visibility is lower at night, so leave twice the usual distance when overtaking. I think learning these rules is important for building confidence. Also, don't forget to check blind spots and ensure everything is safe before taking action—safety always comes first.
Having driven for thirty years, I deeply understand that overtaking at night relies on lighting wisdom. Simply put, flash your high beams three times to signal the car in front, then accelerate to overtake—provided you can clearly see no oncoming traffic. Once done, switch back to low beams; don’t forget this step. Experience tells me that good drivers communicate with lights, not by honking and disturbing others. Maintain a steady speed, avoid sudden acceleration, and prioritize smoothness for safety.
