What lights to use when overtaking vehicles at night?
3 Answers
When overtaking vehicles at night, you need to alternate between high beams and low beams. Here are some precautions for night driving: 1. After starting at night: According to road conditions and visibility, switch to high beams when the road permits. The prerequisite is that there are no oncoming vehicles or vehicles with high beams on in the opposite lane. 2. During night driving: When the speed is below 30 km/h, low beams should be used, which normally illuminate beyond 30 meters. When approaching an intersection, slow down 50-100 meters before the intersection, switch from high beams to low beams, and activate the turn signal to indicate the direction of travel. When an oncoming vehicle is within 150 meters, switch from high beams to low beams to avoid obstructing the vision of the opposing driver.
When driving at night, if I encounter a vehicle ahead that wants to overtake, I immediately turn on the high beams. High beams illuminate farther and brighter, allowing me to clearly see the position of the vehicle ahead and the road conditions, reducing the risk of accidents. Before overtaking, safety must be confirmed: first check the rearview mirror for any approaching vehicles behind, then look for oncoming traffic in the opposite lane, especially on highways where blind spots are numerous, requiring extra attention. Once overtaking with high beams is completed, quickly switch back to low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers with the strong light, which could cause accidents. Remember not to overtake on curves or in foggy conditions, as poor visibility can easily lead to accidents. The key to night driving is calm observation, and light operation should be decisive but not reckless.
Every day after work, I drive home at night and have gotten used to overtaking maneuvers. Before actually overtaking, I flick the light control to turn on the high beams—it helps me see everything clearly in an instant, making overtaking smoother. The operation is simple: first accelerate to get closer to the car ahead, turn on the high beams, quickly pass, and then turn them off to switch back to low beams. Be careful not to confuse the light switch positions, as some cars have different designs. Beginners should practice a few times to get familiar. Avoid using high beams when they might affect others' visibility, such as when there are pedestrians ahead or oncoming traffic. Safety is important even in small details, and developing good habits makes nighttime driving more reassuring.
