What Lights to Use When Driving in Heavy Rain at Night?
3 Answers
When driving in heavy rain at night, you should turn on the headlights, clearance lights, and rear position lights. Relevant regulations are as follows: Article 58 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" stipulates: When motor vehicles are driven at night without street lights, under poor lighting conditions, or in situations of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, they must turn on the headlights, clearance lights, and rear position lights. Precautions for driving in rainy weather: It is essential to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead when driving in the rain. Wet and slippery roads mean that emergency braking at high speeds will not stop the car immediately. Driving at a lower speed effectively allows more time for braking, helping to prevent accidents. Stay away from large trucks and heavy vehicles. When passing through waterlogged areas, slow down and proceed cautiously. If the water depth exceeds half of the tire height, there is a risk of water entering the vehicle and engine, which can cause severe damage to the car.
As a veteran truck driver with twenty years of experience, I deeply understand the importance of turning on lights during rainy night drives. Low beams are basic, but when visibility is poor due to heavy rain or fog, remember to activate the front fog lights to enhance penetration and the rear fog lights to make yourself visible to vehicles behind you. Never use high beams—the reflection off the water curtain can be even more dangerous. I also pay special attention to speed; with headlights on, visibility is only about 30 to 40 meters, so you must slow down. Don’t forget to turn on the defroster for the windshield promptly, or you won’t see anything. The worst thing in rainy driving is impatience—staying calm is key.
When I was taking my driving test last year, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the key points of turning on lights in rainy weather: First, turn on the low beams as the basic lighting, and decide whether to turn on the fog lights based on the intensity of the rain. When you can't see clearly even with the wipers at the highest setting, you must turn on both front and rear fog lights, as the amber light has the strongest penetration. When water splashes onto the side of the car from other vehicles, appropriately turn on the side marker lights to enhance side visibility. Remember to turn off the automatic high beam function, as it may fail in rainy conditions. While turning on the lights, it's best to close the windows and turn off the music to focus on listening to road sounds—these details are never mentioned in the instructor's manual.
