Use Your Lights
By law, your vehicle's headlights must be turned on from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. Lights must also be on any time conditions make it difficult to see people or other vehicles. Here are some things you can do that will help you see better:
• use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is important to use high beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, or where there may be people along the side of the road.
• dim your high beams whenever you come within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
• use your low beams when following 300 feet or less behind another vehicle.
• use the low beams in fog or when it is snowing or raining hard. Light from high beams will reflect back, causing glare and making it difficult to see ahead. Some vehicles have fog lights that you should also use under these conditions.
If a vehicle comes toward you with high beams on, look away from the headlights and toward the right side of the road until the car has passed. This will keep you from being blinded by the other vehicle's headlights and allow you to see enough of the edge of the road to stay on course. Do not try to "get back" at the other driver by keeping your bright lights on. If you do, both of you may be blinded.
Letting Others Know You Are There
Collisions often happen because one driver does not see another driver or when one driver does something the other driver does not expect. It is important that drivers let other road users know they are there and what they plan to do. Communicate your intentions by using your headlights, brake lights, horn, emergency signals, lane position, and vehicle speed.
Some drivers do not always pay attention to what is going on around them. It is important that other road users know you are there
Use headlights – Besides helping you to see at night, headlights help other people see you. Turn on your headlights whenever you have trouble seeing others.
• On rainy, snowy, or foggy days, it can be difficult for other drivers to see your vehicle. In these conditions, headlights make your vehicle easier to see. Remember, if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights.
• Turn on your headlights when it begins to get dark. Even if you turn them on a little early, you will help other drivers see you.
• Whenever driving and lights are necessary, use your headlights. Parking lights are for parked vehicles only.
• When driving away from a rising or setting sun, turn on your headlights. Drivers coming toward you may have trouble seeing your vehicle.
• If you stop along the road at night, turn on your emergency flashers and leave your low beams on.
Use your horn – People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn can get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent a collision. If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need. Give your horn a light tap:
• when a person on foot or on a bike appears to be moving into your lane of travel.
• when you are passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane.
• when a driver is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you.
• when coming to a place where you cannot see what is ahead, like a steep hill, a sharp curve, or exiting a narrow alley.
If there is danger, do not be afraid to sound a sharp blast on your horn. Do this:
• when a child or older person is about to walk, run, or ride into the street. when another vehicle is in danger of hitting you.
• when you have lost control of your vehicle and are moving
When not to use your horn – There are several occasions when you should not use your horn. They include:
• encouraging someone to drive faster or get out of the way.
• letting other drivers know of an error.
• greeting a friend.
• around blind pedestrians.
• passing bicyclists.
• when approaching horses.
Use emergency signals – If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure that other drivers can see it. All too often collisions occur because a driver did not see a stalled vehicle until it was too late to stop.
If available, use your two-way radio or cellular phone to notify authorities that your vehicle or someone else's vehicle has broken down. Many roadways have signs that tell you the CB channel or telephone number to call in an emergency. If you are having vehicle trouble and have to stop:
• get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic, if possible.
• turn on your emergency flashers to show you are having trouble. At night, leave your headlights on.
• try to stop where other drivers have a clear view of your vehicle, if you cannot get your vehicle off the roadway (do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve).
• try to warn other road users that your vehicle is there. Place emergency flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. This allows other drivers to change lanes if necessary.
