What Lights Should You Use When Driving in the Rain?
2 Answers
When it starts to rain lightly and the sky is relatively dark but visibility is still decent, you should use the width indicator lights. When the rain becomes heavier, forming a mist that significantly affects visibility, you should turn on the headlights or front fog lights. Only when the rain is extremely heavy should you turn on the rear fog lights, as their light can penetrate through most heavy rain.
When driving in the rain, the first thing I do is turn on the low beams. This helps me see the road better and makes it easier for other vehicles to spot me. I remember one time during heavy rain when I didn't turn on my lights and almost rear-ended the car in front—that was a lesson learned. Besides low beams, if the rain is particularly heavy or visibility is very poor, I'll also turn on the fog lights. Their lower light position cuts through rain better and reduces glare from reflections. Avoid using high beams—they reflect off the rain like a mirror, creating a blinding white haze that makes it impossible to see. Additionally, I increase the wiper speed and try to keep my speed below 60 km/h, leaving extra following distance to prevent skidding during sudden braking. Regularly checking that all lights are working properly is crucial—once, a rusted bulb reduced my visibility, but after fixing it, safety improved significantly. In short, using lights in the rain isn't trivial; making it a habit ensures safer and smoother driving.
