What lights to use for sharp turns at night?
3 Answers
When a motor vehicle passes a sharp turn at night, it should first slow down, sound the horn as a signal, and alternately use the high and low beams to indicate. The following are the methods for using lights at night: Usage of low beam: When driving on well-lit roads, the low beam should be used; when following another vehicle, the low beam is also necessary to allow the vehicle ahead to observe the situation behind through the rearview mirror; if the distance to an oncoming vehicle is within 150 meters during a meeting situation, the high beam should also be switched to the low beam. Usage of alternating high and low beams: When driving at night through slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, sharp turns, slopes, and when overtaking vehicles ahead, it is necessary to alternately use the high and low beams. Usage of high beam: When driving at night with low visibility and there is no vehicle ahead to follow, the high beam should be turned on; if there is a vehicle ahead to follow, the low beam should be used.
When driving at night and encountering sharp turns, the most commonly used light for me is the turn signal. I activate the left or right turn signal a few seconds in advance to alert surrounding drivers of my intention to turn, avoiding unexpected collisions. I remember one time I forgot to turn on the signal while making a turn in a dark suburban area, and another car almost came straight at me, making my palms sweat with fear. So this habit is crucial! In low-light nighttime conditions, misjudgments are easy to make, and the turn signal acts like a small flare, allowing others to clearly see your intentions. Besides the turn signal, avoid using high beams to illuminate the curve, as they are glaring and disrupt visibility, actually increasing the risk. Keep the low beams on and combine them with appropriate deceleration for a smoother turn. Simply put, safety comes first—don’t underestimate the importance of flicking that turn signal!
As an experienced driver for many years, I've learned that turning on the turn signal before sharp night turns is fundamental safety awareness. The turn signal's role is to alert other vehicles of your intended turn direction, especially on dark curves, significantly reducing rear-end or side collision risks. I recall making mistakes in my youth by not signaling promptly, leading to minor scrapes. Now it's second nature: lights on at every turn. Use low beams to illuminate the road ahead—avoid switching to high beams in curves as their intense focus actually reduces peripheral visibility. Most crucially, maintaining appropriate speed is key. The coordination between turn signals and lighting systems brings peace of mind during night driving. New drivers often overlook these details, but practice makes perfect.
