What lights to use when meeting on narrow roads or bridges at night?
2 Answers
When driving through narrow roads or bridges at night, it is best to alternate between high and low beams. According to Articles 48, 51, and 58 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," when meeting another vehicle at night, switch to low beams at least 150 meters away from the oncoming vehicle. When a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic signals at night, use low beams when turning. When a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, use low beams. Drive with low beams on well-lit roads. When a motor vehicle passes through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signal control at night, alternate between high and low beams to signal. When driving in conditions of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, turn on the headlights, position lights, and rear lights. When driving in foggy conditions, turn on the fog lights and hazard warning flashers. Under normal nighttime weather conditions, do not turn on the fog lights, as they can be very glaring to oncoming drivers. Do not use high beams in foggy conditions, as the upward-angled light beam causes diffuse reflection off the fog, creating a blinding white haze in front of the vehicle and reducing visibility for the driver.
I've been driving for over 30 years, and I always use low beams when meeting vehicles on narrow roads or bridges at night. I remember one time crossing a stone bridge on a rural road when an oncoming truck blasted me with high beams - I nearly got blinded and hit the guardrail. These places are tight enough as it is, and high beams create such glare that you completely lose track of wheel track boundaries. Nowadays when I'm doing long-haul runs with my fleet, I switch to low beams 500 meters before narrow bridges and slow down below 30 mph. Actually, Article 51 of the Road Traffic Safety Law clearly states this requirement - it's even covered in the written driver's license exam. Don't be lazy about it - just flick that light switch. Safety comes first.
