
- Headlights should be activated when visibility is how to#
- Headlights should be activated when visibility is drivers#
- Headlights should be activated when visibility is driver#
- Headlights should be activated when visibility is full#
They shouldn’t be used when driving as they can distract the driver. Interior lightsĪlso known as driving lamps, these lights are useful for checking a map or directions or to find something in the dark. They should not be used when you temporarily park.
Headlights should be activated when visibility is drivers#
For example, to warn other drivers of a hazard on the road ahead, when you’ve stopped and are causing a temporary obstruction or have broken down. When the hazard lights are turned on, they flash to warn other drivers of distress or traffic problems. Your signal lights are also used as hazard lights, also known as flashers or hazard warning lights. As they only turn on when you apply the brakes, you don’t need to think about when to use them. Your brake lights tell other drivers that you’re slowing down or stopping. They are used to let other drivers know you are planning to turn and will probably need to slow down to turn. Signal lights can also be found on your side mirrors. Signal lights, also known as turn signals, indicators or blinkers, are located at the front and back of the car. They let drivers coming up behind you know that you’re there and how far ahead you are. Taillights are the red lights on the rear of your car that turn on automatically whenever your headlights are on. As fog lights are so strong they can distract other drivers, so they should only be used during fog or snow (but not in the rain) when normal headlights are ineffective. Cars also have at least one rear fog light to help other drivers spot your car. The beam’s shape cuts through the fog to light up the surface of the road, while the position avoids light being reflected back and dazzling the driver. Fog lightsįog lights with their unique flat and wide beam shape, are usually placed low on the front of the car, near the front bumper. This includes when cars are approaching you, even if they are on the other side of the motorway divider in fog as light reflection can make it difficult for you to see and on curves, on hills and at junctions as you have no way of telling if another car is coming towards you.
Headlights should be activated when visibility is full#
It is important to turn your full beams off in certain situations to avoid the risk of blinding or distracting oncoming traffic. For this reason, they should only be used when it is difficult to see and there are no other cars visible in any direction, or you are at least 150m from oncoming traffic and need the full beams to see the road. Full beam headlights give an intense, centre-weighted distribution of light with a lot of glare. It also signals to other drivers where you are.

Headlights should be activated when visibility is driver#
Just like the low beam headlights, full beam headlights help the driver to see the road in the dark. This is because during these times it can be more difficult to see other vehicles. Low beams are essential when driving at night, but they have also been proved to improve visibility and safety when used during the day, for example during adverse weather (rain, snow, sleet or fog) or just after sunrise and just before sunset. Unlike full beams (see next section), low beams (or dipped headlights) give enough light to show you where you are going without excessive glare that could dazzle oncoming drivers. They usually consist of lights at the front and rear of your car which can turn on automatically when you start the engine. Local legislation may be different, but in general a modern car is configured to meet the local requirements.


Not to be confused with the low beams, daytime running lights are designed to make you more visible to other drivers.
Headlights should be activated when visibility is how to#
Many people think of this as an easy topic, but it’s important to be aware of all of the lights on your car – and how to use them, especially when driving at night, in the rain or fog.
