Uses Of Headlights And Safety Consequences

To stay safe and improve your visibility on the road, it’s important to know when and when not to use your headlights. Mostly by law drivers do not require the use of headlights during the day unless poor weather decreases visibility. However, using your headlights during the day regardless of the conditions can improve visibility and safety. A few instances when using your car headlights during the day can help you decrease chances of an accident are:

      1. Rain
      2. Fog
      3. On rural and mountain roads
      4. Smoke
      5. On narrow two-lane expressway
      6. Just after sunrise and sunset

When to Use High & Low Beams
During periods of sunrise and sunset it may be more difficult to see other vehicles. Turning on your head lights will also turn on your tail lights, reducing your chances of a rear-end collision.

In some instances, using the high beam setting on your headlights will make it easier to see the road. If there are few or no streetlights on the road, high beams will help you see farther down your path, preventing you from hitting any animals or pedestrians crossing in front of you.

You’ll want to use the low beam setting on your car headlights when poor weather limits visibility during the day, driving in the fog or rain, using high beams in this situation is more dangerous because of light reflection. You can also use low beam when:

  1. City driving at night when short-range light is sufficient.
  2. Another vehicle is approaching in the opposite direction.
  3. Following another vehicle at night.

Additional Tips for Using Your Headlights
A few more additional car headlight tips to help you stay safe and avoid a collision when driving at night or in adverse weather conditions:

  1. If an approaching vehicle is using high beams, keep your eyes to the right edge of your lane and reduce speed.
  2. If you notice your car headlights point in different directions, you may need to have them serviced.
  3. Clean the glass covering your headlights often, they can quickly become dirty or cloudy during rainy weather.
  4. Avoid sudden braking, braking early over an increased distance will give the vehicles following you more time to react.
  5. Use your hazard lights if you have a broken light.
  6. Use your turn signals earlier when driving at night.

About Nonso Okafor

I've worked as a technical support representative in major auto centers in Nigeria for more than twenty years. I have dealt with a variety of problems in my capacity as a customer service representative and auto diagnostics expert. I'm committed to assisting people in properly maintaining their automobiles and in appreciating this magnificent innovation known as an automobile.

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