What Lights to Use When Driving in the Rain?
2 Answers
Here are the different scenarios for driving in the rain: 1. Use parking lights when the rain is light: At the beginning of the rain, when the rainfall is not heavy and the sky is relatively dark but visibility is still good, parking lights should be used. 2. Use headlights or front fog lights when the rain is heavy: When the rain is heavier, the rainwater itself can obstruct visibility, and water on the road surface splashed by the rolling tires of the vehicle ahead can create a mist that significantly affects visibility. In this case, headlights or front fog lights should be turned on. Fog lights are not designed for illumination; their beams are scattered, so they appear bright without being glaring. 3. Use rear fog lights during heavy rain: Rear fog lights should only be turned on when the rain is extremely heavy. The red tail lights already have excellent penetration power, and ordinary heavy rain cannot block their light. Rear fog lights are very bright and are designed to penetrate thick fog. Using them in normal rainy conditions can easily dazzle the drivers behind, compromising their visibility and thus safety.
When driving in the rain, the safest practice is to turn on the low-beam headlights. Visibility is already poor in rainy and foggy weather, and using high beams can create glare from raindrop reflections, making it feel like a flashlight is shining directly into your eyes, which can obscure the road. I've developed this habit since I started driving—never using the wrong lights in the rain. Make sure the taillights are also on so that vehicles behind can easily see you and avoid rear-end collisions. Once, I forgot to turn on the lights in the rain and nearly hit a roadside post. Since then, I always check if the bulbs are working properly beforehand. Turning on the lights not only helps you see the road but also ensures others can see you—safety first! Don’t forget to defog the windows and turn on the air conditioning for dehumidification when the rain is heavy. These small details combined can make driving much more reassuring.
