when should you use your headlights?

Question

I make a lot of long trips from uni to home, and most of them happen to be at night. There usually aren't a lot of lights along the way, and I feel much better driving with my headlights for visibility, but I heard somewhere that you should turn the headlights down if someones in front of you... but when does that apply? Both when people are driving towards me or just when I'm coming up to them from behind?
Thanks :)

Answer 1

you should get used to drivign with low beams, use the high beams when you have to.

You also might think about having your headlights aligned, it could help, and make sure the lenses aren't hazy, if they are, you'll have to replace them, there's not fix for removing haze from the plastic, at least not beyond a week.



But if your brights are on and a car is oncoming, you should go back to low beams, and if you're behind a car, low beams.



maybe update your headlamps to a brighter version like the sylvania silverstar for instance...

Answer 2

It is all about safety and consideration for other road users. I was always taught that if I could see another car on the road ahead, whether it was travelling away from me, or towards me, I should dip my lights. I also always dip lights if I am approaching a crossing or junction, in case a car approaches the junction from another direction.



Also be aware of other road users. A pedestrian blinded by high beams is in danger. Likewise cyclists, riders etc.



Under normal circumstances, normal beams should be enough for you to travel safely, high beams provide better visibility when there are no other road users around who would be affected by them. If you are unable to see properly when driving on normal beams, slow down, quite simply.



It may also be a good idea to consult your optician. I have difficulty in the UK because the lights shine at me from the right and it blinds me. Whereas I don't have the problem in mainland Europe. I have mild astigmatism and I've had to learn to adjust my driving for the UK as a result.



I now drive in Europe and I ALWAYS have my lights on, on a dipped-light setting as it helps other road users to see me. However, I have found that many people don't consider dipping their headlights when coming up behind another car and the dazzling light makes driving very difficult.



What concerns me, is that you said " I heard somewhere that you should turn the headlights down....." This should have been a part of your driving lessons and test. I suggest you look at the link below, it is for the Highway Code. It is always advisable to check this regularly as we all forget things, and the rules change!



Contact the AA or Rospa for additional training. Not only will it improve your confidence on the roads, which I believe is a major cause of your need for high beams, but it may also bring your insurance premiums down!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Lower the beams of your headlights when within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle.



Lower the beams of your headlights when within 200 feet of a vehicle in front of you.



Lower the beams of your headlights when you are driving on well-illuminated streets.



Use your low-beam headlights when driving in fog, and reduce your speed.



Driving with your high beams in fog is like shining your high-beam headlights on a mirror-light is reflected back into your eyes and blinds you.

Answer 5

Although your question is about headlights, I assume your real question is about high beams.



You should dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle gets within 500 feet. Similarly, change to low beams when you get closer than 300 feet of a vehicle ahead of you.



If per chance you really meant to ask about when you should use headlights:



A half hour before sunset to a half hour after sunrise when driving. Anytime it is raining enough to use windshield wipers. Through any tunnel or other dark area.

Answer 6

You should only use high beams when there are no cars around you o the road. If your regular headlights aren't bright enough, get them checked or get new bulbs.

Answer 7

lights on always wil be best and after dark low beam if on the freeway or if you can see the shape of other car.. kind of better to do it before you get to close same way they would with you being in front of them so look out the back at about when other dim theirs you should be able to see about how far your light shine up the road where the point of you not seening it just beyond that is when you should dim

Answer 8

Turn off the high beams in both situations. If another driver will be able to see your high beams, either directly or in that driver's mirror(s), they should be off. Keep the regular headlights (lowbeams) on.

Answer 9

The exact distance to lower beams for following, or approaching traffic I believe is not universal every where. But they should be dimmed even when approaching or following another vehicle from behind.

Answer 10

The rule applies when you have on your bright or high beams or lights on . You should have on your lights when it is getting dark, when it is raining or foggy as well as any time you want people to be able to see you.

Answer 11

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Answer 12

ALWAYS drive with dipped headlights when you are behind other traffic.

Answer 13

If people are in front of you don't use high beams.