What Lights to Use When Driving on Highways?
4 Answers
When driving on highways, the lights you may use include high beams, low beams, turn signals, and width indicators. The correct methods for using lights during nighttime driving are introduced as follows: 1. During normal driving: Turn on the night lights and width indicators. If there are no vehicles ahead, you can appropriately use high beams to briefly observe the road and surrounding conditions at a farther distance ahead, then quickly switch back to low beams. 2. When meeting another vehicle: Use a combination of high and low beams. If there is a vehicle ahead or an oncoming vehicle, always remember to switch from high beams to low beams. 3. When overtaking: You should switch from high beams to low beams in advance and turn on the turn signals to make the vehicle ahead aware of your position.
After driving on highways for so many years, I've become very particular about light usage. At night on the highway, you must use high beams - there are no streetlights, and high beams can illuminate over 100 meters ahead, allowing you to spot obstacles early. But be careful to switch to low beams when following a vehicle within 100 meters, otherwise you'll dazzle the driver through their rearview mirror. In rain or fog, turn on both front and rear fog lights - high beams actually make things worse by reflecting off raindrops. When entering tunnels, remember to use low beams plus position lights, and check that high beams are off before exiting. One small detail: signal lane changes 2-3 seconds earlier than in city driving to give following vehicles reaction time. Hazard lights should only be used for emergency stops or when visibility drops below 50 meters - using them while moving just interferes with other drivers' judgment.
Highway lighting depends on road conditions. Use high beams when nighttime visibility is good, but switch to low beams if you see a car close ahead in the rearview mirror. I usually check the dashboard to confirm light status. New cars now have automatic headlights, so no more fumbling to turn them on when entering tunnels on highways. The golden combo for rainy or foggy days is fog lights plus position lights—high beams must be turned off. Before long trips, I always check the lights: smooth switching between high and low beams, and whether fog light bulbs are burnt out. I remember driving on the highway during a heavy rain—cars behind noticed me much easier with fog lights on. Lastly, a reminder: properly angle any aftermarket LED headlights to avoid blinding oncoming drivers.
Remember three key rules for highway lighting: First, use high beams as the primary choice at night, but switch to low beams when approaching another vehicle; Second, in adverse weather conditions, turn on fog lights and turn off high beams; Third, avoid abusing hazard lights under any circumstances. Every time I get on the highway, I first test the light switches. Last time I encountered thick fog, turning on both front and rear fog lights worked much better than hazard lights. It made it easier for following vehicles to judge my position and vehicle width. By the way, some tunnels have electronic signs reminding drivers to turn off high beams – respond immediately when you see them. Brighter lights aren't always better; proper usage ensures safety for everyone.
