Using Headlights

[Meckity1]

Another car one from me. Hoping experienced drivers can point me in the right direction.

I put on my side lights in fog and poor visibility (when it's raining and/or very overcast) and I put my headlights on when it's dark.

Yesterday, 7am, I got in the car and put my sunglasses on as I was getting dazzled by the reflection of the sun in my right hand wing mirror. I was glad of them 100 yards and a left turn later because the dazzle from the headlights of the bus behind me was almost blinding. I keep seeing lights on cars when I think the sun is bright enough to wear sunglasses.

What is the general rule? What am I missing? Should I have my lights on more?

I've just looked up the highway code, and wonder if I should put headlights on if it's raining, but I can't remember a time when I couldn't see more than 100 yards. It's just been mucky light.

Advice gratefully received, as I want to do things right.

The lights on some models come on automatically, all of the time (I was told when I asked the same question some years ago).

Side lights aren’t enough in fog/poor visibility. You need dipped headlights on them too.

Ohflippineck Thanks. I'm going to have to be more aware as the school run gets darker.

You definitely need headlights on for fog and poor visibility. I would at least put on my sidelights in rain and probably my headlights too (depending on general conditions).

More cars now have them set to come on automatically. I think there is research which shows that cars which have headlights/sidelights on are more visible to other drivers.

The lights on some models come on automatically, all of the time

I swear I am going to start keeping a note of which cars only have sidelights on automatic, because I am sick to fucking death of people driving about in dusk and even night time with nothing else but little daytime running lights on.

They see their dashboard illuminated and forget they have to have actual headlights on when its dark.

Cedar03 It looks like I haven't been using my headlights enough. The first school run I did, back in April, was thick fog with horrific visibility, and I used the lights then, but when it's raining, I can see more than 100 yards and I was worrying about dazzle.

Better visibility would be great. There was only one guy pulling out in front of me this morning, which is almost a record.

You need fog lights in fog, not just headlights.

Should add - I drive a brightly coloured car and it was very sunny. I should be hard to miss but I feel invisible sometimes.

The lights on some models come on automatically, all of the time (I was told when I asked the same question some years ago).

Only front ones, weirdly. I often drive in the rain on the motorway and am amazed how invisible grey and silver cars become from behind.

In heavy rain, side lights are often useless.

You shouldn't find dipped headlights dazzling. Have you had your eyes checked recently?

Side lights are nowhere near enough in rain!

LED headlights can be very dazzling, but I've never seen one on a bus.

My driving instructor told me if in doubt, do a rough tally of other vehicles. If a third have their lights on, consider the conditions. If half have their lights on, put them on.

Put your fog lights on if fog results in visibility is less than 100m. Switch them OFF once no longer in use (city traffic was awful for this with people having driven from rural areas early and having forgotten to take them off when it cleared).

You don't necessarily need fog lights in fog - it depends what the visibility's actually like. Fog lights can sometimes be dazzling for other drivers but it's a judgement call.

I always drive with dipped headlights these days. Sidelights are definitely not enough in rain and low light. Even if you don't have them on by default,I think you should always use headlights on motorways.

Really glad I posted this. I've no-one to ask in real life.

In Norway it's illegal to drive without your lights on, even in the summer when it doesn't get dark :) Lights on makes your car that much more visible to others, it's a safety thing.

Rainwise, I was always taught that if you need your wipers you need your lights. It works for me as a general rule.

Damntheman That sounds like a good idea, but is that even in bright sunlight? Because I'm for it, but it seems strange.

CaptainCallisto That's really helpful, thank you. I seem to put my wipers on before a lot of other cars. I hate it when it's spotting all over the windscreen, and I like it clear. It's a good signal to get the lights on.

And on another note, I refilled my wiper fluid all by myself! I know it's not much, but it's a step in getting the hang of things.

Same in Sweden. You have to have your lights on all the time.

@Meckity1 yep, even in bright sunlight. Always and forever lights on :) It's surprising how much more visible it'll make your car, even in broad daylight.

The bad thing about the rise in SUVs is that in my little hatchback the SUV lights behind are slightly higher and dazzling in the rear view mirror

Audi seem to be particular bright and blue toned

ShirleyPhallus I'm only in a little car as well. The bus's headlights were either side of my car and straight into the wing mirrors!

Damntheman I'm not sure I've got the nerve to have the lights on all the time, but I'm definitely going to have them on more now.

I think my running lights are actually brighter than my side lights!

My car also turns the side/headlights on automatically, but I often put them on manually because I obviously have different standards to my car. And yes, part of that is because I only have front running lights, so the rear of the car isn't lit unless the brake lights come on, which may be too late.

I frequently drive in thick fog (part of living up high in Cornwall, even in summer, and always have dipped headlights on. Sidelights aren't enough and in some makes, sometimes even with the sidelights on, your rear lights aren't on, so you're invisible from behind until it's too late.

Sidelights aren't enough in rainy conditions either, for the same reason, especially if there's a lot of water on the road and people are driving fast.

I was taught that if your wipers are on your headlights should be on.

They see their dashboard illuminated and forget they have to have actual headlights on when its dark.

We got caught out with this. Our car has daylight running (like others have said only front) which come on with the ignition. We also have auto lights so it's set on that all the time and the lights will come on when needed.

Only whenever we put the car in for a service they turn off the auto lights. I didnt realise the first time as the daylight running and dashboard lights make you think you lights are on.

I wondered why I got overtook and flashed

I never use side lights. I was taught if it's dark enough for side lights, it's dark enough for proper headlights.