Night driving and headlights

Explanation

Drivers are more likely to be fatigued at night and may have a higher crash risk. Pedestrians, road markings and other vehicles are harder to see, so reduce your normal speed, especially on unfamiliar roads. If oncoming headlights glare, don’t look into them — focus on the right side of the road.

Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and any other time visibility is less than 500 feet.

Low beams are required when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, or within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Example

On a dark country road you have your high beams on. A car appears over a hill ahead — you switch to low beams before it is within 500 feet. Later you catch up to a slower car; you dim again before you get within 200 feet of it.

Common mistake

Mixing up the two distances. 500 feet is for oncoming vehicles; 200 feet is for vehicles you are following.

What the manual says

Drivers must use headlights between sunset and sunrise as well as at any other time in which visibility is less than 500 feet.

lower headlight beams must be used when approaching within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or when following within 200 feet of the rear of another vehicle.

To avoid glare, do not look directly into the lights of an approaching vehicle, and instead focus on the right side of the road.