Early mornings and darker evenings mean drivers will be using their lights more as they drive on roads but do you know the rules for using your main beam headlights?
Main beam headlights allow drivers to improve their visibility of the road ahead of them but when an oncoming vehicle passes them, they are too bright and can cause an issue.
While you might use your main beams, also known as full beam and high beam headlights, to light up a dark country road when no one is around, there are some rules you must know.
What are full beam headlights?
The RAC explains: “Full beam headlights are the brightest type of headlight on normal vehicles.
“They are angled higher than dipped headlights, allowing you to see more of the road, and are sometimes known as high beams.
“The switch to turn them on is usually found near the switch for dipped headlights and they may use a different set of bulbs.”
When to use main beam headlights
The RAC added: “You should only use full beam headlights on unlit stretches of road at night.
“When meeting oncoming traffic (including cyclists or pedestrians), following another vehicle, or driving on left-turning bends, you must turn off full beam headlights as they can often be dazzling and may cause accidents.”
The AA added: “You must also dip your lights if you see anyone in front of you travelling in the same direction. If you leave your main beam on, you’ll dazzle other drivers when they look in their rear-view or wing mirrors.”
Carwow explained the three occasions when you should use your full beam headlights, including when driving “in the dark” or when “on unlit roads”.
It also says you should use them “when there are no other road users just ahead or travelling in the opposite direction”.
What does the Highway Code say about using lights when driving?
The Highway Code makes it clear that drivers should be responsible when choosing which lights to use and when.
Recommended reading:
- The one motorway rule UK drivers forget (how to avoid fines and penalty points)
- Motorists urged to follow 2-second rule that's the simplest in the Highway Code
- Motorists warned of Highway Code rule that could lead to £75 parking fine
It says motorists “must not use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders”.
The Highway Code added that headlights must be used “at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting.”
It adds that drivers have to “use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced”.
Share