How to use your car headlights to stay safe and legal

Obeying the rules of the road, including using your vehicle's different lights in appropriate situations, makes driving safer for you, your passengers, and other drivers. In addition to headlights, cars are equipped with…

Obeying the rules of the road, including using your vehicle's different lights in appropriate situations, makes driving safer for you, your passengers, and other drivers. In addition to headlights, cars are equipped with turn signals, brake lights, and hazard warning lights that are designed to make you more visible on the road.

By law, your car's headlights must function properly while driving. To properly use your headlights and avoid run-ins with the police, follow these simple steps to stay safe while driving.

Part 1 of 5: Know Your Headlights

Vehicle headlights help the driver see better at night and also allow other drivers to see you while driving in inclement weather or low light conditions. When using car headlights, drivers need to know when to turn on their low and high beams so as not to dazzle other drivers.

Step 1: Use low beam. Dipped beam is used in various situations.

Low beam is most commonly used when driving at night or in other low light conditions. Some other situations in which drivers use low beams include driving in foggy conditions, during periods of inclement weather, and while driving through tunnels.

The headlight switch can be found either on the same lever as the turn signal or on the dashboard to the left of the steering column.

Some states require low beams, even during the day, to improve visibility when approaching other drivers. Many new car models also use daytime running lights to improve daytime visibility.

Low beam headlights that are not working can be stopped by law enforcement. Some of the most common penalties associated with non-functioning headlights range from a verbal warning to a fine.

Step 2: Using High Beam. Your vehicle is also equipped with high beams, which improve visibility under certain circumstances.

The high beam is usually activated by pressing the same lever as the turn signals.

When turning on the high beam, make sure there are no oncoming motorists or motorists ahead of you. The bright nature of the beams can momentarily blind other drivers.

If you meet another motorist with high beams on, look to the side of the road until they pass, or turn your rearview mirror to night position if a driver is approaching you from behind with high beams on.

Part 2 of 5: Know Your Turn Signals

Car turn signals perform a very important function, informing other motorists about your intentions on the road. By knowing how to operate your turn signals correctly, you can make sure drivers around you know when you plan to turn left or right.

Step 1: Using the front turn signals. Front turn signals inform oncoming vehicles of your intentions while driving.

You can find the turn signal switch on the steering column. To turn on the turn signal, push the lever up to turn right and down to turn left. The turn signal should turn off automatically after turning.

In some vehicles, a faulty turn signal will cause the turn signal to flash faster.

Law enforcement may stop you for a broken turn signal. Actions include anything from a warning to a fine and a fine.

Part 3 of 5: Understand your brake lights

Your car's brake lights are important both day and night. Not only is driving with broken brake lights dangerous, you should also expect law enforcement to pull you over and issue a ticket if you are caught with broken brake lights.

Step 1: Use your brakes throughout the day. Your brake lights work throughout the day, activated when you press the brake pedal.

This helps to notify other drivers behind you that you are stopping. As long as the brake pedal is depressed, the indicator should be on.

Step 2: Use your brakes at night. Properly functioning brake lights at night are even more important.

Visibility is low at night, and even with headlights on, it is sometimes difficult to see a stopped car in the dark. The brake lights come on when the car's headlights are on and become brighter when the brake pedal is pressed while slowing down or stopping.

Step 3: Know Your Backup Lights. Vehicles are also equipped with reversing or reversing lights to indicate that the vehicle is in reverse.

When you reverse your vehicle, the reversing lights come on to help illuminate what is behind your vehicle.

Part 4 of 5: Deal with your fog lights

Some vehicles are equipped with fog lights to help improve visibility when driving in foggy conditions. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, you must learn when to use them and when not to ensure the best possible visibility.

Step 1: Know When to Use Your Fog Lights. It is very important to know when to use fog lights.

Although not required by law, the use of fog lights can greatly improve visibility in foggy conditions.

• A warning: Do not use fog lights when there is no fog. Fog lights can temporarily blind other drivers.

Part 5 of 5: Emergency Lights

Hazard lights on a car are designed to warn other drivers of danger. You must use your emergency lights in a variety of situations, including if your vehicle has broken down or there is danger ahead of you.

Step 1: Exploit Hazards During a Breakdown. Most often, emergency lights are used to alert other drivers to the presence of your vehicle in the event of a breakdown.

If you have a breakdown, try to get to your right shoulder if possible. Once there, get as far away from the road as possible. Turn on hazards to alert other drivers to your presence. The alarm switch is located on the steering column or somewhere in a prominent place on the dashboard.

If you must get out of your vehicle, watch out for oncoming traffic and make sure there are no obstacles before exiting your vehicle before opening the door. If possible, hang traffic lights, reflective triangles, or other items to alert other drivers to your presence.

Step 2. Warn of danger ahead. In addition to problems with your own car, you should also use your car's hazard lights to warn people behind you of the danger on the road ahead.

This can come into play, for example, if you stumble upon a sunken ship in foggy conditions. In this case, it is better to move off the roadway and turn on the emergency gang.

• A warning: If you have an accident in fog and must stop, pull the vehicle as far to the right as possible. If it is possible to get out of the vehicle safely, step off the road on foot, call an ambulance and wait for help to arrive.

Knowing how and when to use your car's headlights goes a long way in keeping you, your passengers and the drivers around you safer. It is also extremely important that you keep your vehicle's headlights in proper working order to avoid being fined by law enforcement. If you need to replace a headlight bulb, contact one of AvtoTachki's experienced mechanics who will do the job for you.