When to dip headlights?
Discussion
Serious question about when to dip headlights at night. Obviously it's largely down to common sense, and I tend to use the rule that if I can see the other cars headlights (or am just about to see them) then I dip mine.
My question is more related to longer, straight sections of road. For example here:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.9437318,-1.97547...
Not the busiest road, especially at night, so quite often an opportunity/requirement to use full beams. But if you saw a car approaching in the very far distance (the best part of a mile away) would you dip straight away or leave it a few seconds on the basis it's too far away to dazzle and it means you have better visibility for longer? And similarly, if you were gaining on a car travelling in the same direction would you wait until closer or dip as soon as you see taillights?
Likewise, if you're catching up with a cyclist would you dip until you've overtaken, on the basis that if they need to check behind then you won't be dazzling them (so much)?
My question is more related to longer, straight sections of road. For example here:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.9437318,-1.97547...
Not the busiest road, especially at night, so quite often an opportunity/requirement to use full beams. But if you saw a car approaching in the very far distance (the best part of a mile away) would you dip straight away or leave it a few seconds on the basis it's too far away to dazzle and it means you have better visibility for longer? And similarly, if you were gaining on a car travelling in the same direction would you wait until closer or dip as soon as you see taillights?
Likewise, if you're catching up with a cyclist would you dip until you've overtaken, on the basis that if they need to check behind then you won't be dazzling them (so much)?
Personally, I'd hold high beam for a fraction of a second to take a last scan of the far distance (Identifying any key features coming up), then switch to dip to prevent blinding,
As for cyclists, I've seen it mentioned elsewhere from their perspective that they prefer you to maintain high beam - There are no mirrors to glare them, and the additional light allows them to tuck in closer to the curb for you where possible.
As for cyclists, I've seen it mentioned elsewhere from their perspective that they prefer you to maintain high beam - There are no mirrors to glare them, and the additional light allows them to tuck in closer to the curb for you where possible.
Haltamer said:
As for cyclists, I've seen it mentioned elsewhere from their perspective that they prefer you to maintain high beam - There are no mirrors to glare them, and the additional light allows them to tuck in closer to the curb for you where possible.
The last thing I, as a cyclist, would do is to tuck closer to the curb in anything less than broad daylight, absolute recipe for an off due to potholes, ironwork, general roadside s
t.I rarely use main beam at all, I just don't see the point, your eyes adjust for it and then when you have to dip them you find can't see for sh*t.
Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
Nothing worse than following someone who just sits there with dipped beam on if you're trying to overtake.
Unless you know the road you have to pull out, put on full beam and more often than not pull back in and that is seen to be acting aggressively.
With dipped beam on you cannot see enough to go at the speed limit, which is maybe why the people who sit with dipped beam on are also going about 35-45 mph and holding you up.
Unless you know the road you have to pull out, put on full beam and more often than not pull back in and that is seen to be acting aggressively.
With dipped beam on you cannot see enough to go at the speed limit, which is maybe why the people who sit with dipped beam on are also going about 35-45 mph and holding you up.
lyonspride said:
I rarely use main beam at all, I just don't see the point, your eyes adjust for it and then when you have to dip them you find can't see for sh*t.
Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
Hmmm. Not sure about any of that!Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
However, if coming out of a low sun you should be on dipped beam, otherwise other drivers cannot see because of the glare from the sun.
Timbuktu said:
Nothing worse than following someone who just sits there with dipped beam on if you're trying to overtake.
Unless you know the road you have to pull out, put on full beam and more often than not pull back in and that is seen to be acting aggressively.
With dipped beam on you cannot see enough to go at the speed limit, which is maybe why the people who sit with dipped beam on are also going about 35-45 mph and holding you up.
Absolutely this, so frustrating. Unless you know the road you have to pull out, put on full beam and more often than not pull back in and that is seen to be acting aggressively.
With dipped beam on you cannot see enough to go at the speed limit, which is maybe why the people who sit with dipped beam on are also going about 35-45 mph and holding you up.
Pica-Pica said:
lyonspride said:
I rarely use main beam at all, I just don't see the point, your eyes adjust for it and then when you have to dip them you find can't see for sh*t.
Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
Hmmm. Not sure about any of that!Mostly I flash my main beam if I see another cars lights in the distance, over a hill or round a corner, so that they're pre-warned and don't blind me when they come into view (works about 50% of the time).
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
However, if coming out of a low sun you should be on dipped beam, otherwise other drivers cannot see because of the glare from the sun.
lyonspride said:
I rarely use main beam at all, I just don't see the point
How about extending the limit point - the furthest point you can see to be clear - to better inform your driving plan...As has been pointed out, this is equivalent to about 45 mpg when on dip and NSL or so, situation dependent, on main beam.
lyonspride said:
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
How old a car do you drive? For several years all cars sold have been fitted with daylight running lights which are brighter than sidelights and intended for this purpose. Like others, I am surprised by your opinion on the use of main beam, and I strongly disagree.
waremark said:
lyonspride said:
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
How old a car do you drive? For several years all cars sold have been fitted with daylight running lights which are brighter than sidelights and intended for this purpose. Like others, I am surprised by your opinion on the use of main beam, and I strongly disagree.
As for DRLs, i'm properly sick of t
ts who drive around at night with only DRLs on, and they DO NOT replace sidelights AT ALL, they are far too bright at nitgh time and when DRLs are on you have no rear lights. DRL fitted vehicles either have separate sidelights OR they will dim the DRLs to use them as sidelights.In a few months we'll have foggy mornings and once again i'll have to endure the idiots who drive in dense fog with only DRLs on, wonderful for creating a white wall of fog in front of them, and potentially lethal for anyone behind them.
Haltamer said:
Personally, I'd hold high beam for a fraction of a second to take a last scan of the far distance (Identifying any key features coming up), then switch to dip to prevent blinding,
As for cyclists, I've seen it mentioned elsewhere from their perspective that they prefer you to maintain high beam - There are no mirrors to glare them, and the additional light allows them to tuck in closer to the curb for you where possible.
I am a pedestrian, a driver and a cyclist. When cycling I do not prefer vehicles to keep high beam on, nor do I tuck in closer to the kerb as a vehicle approaches.As for cyclists, I've seen it mentioned elsewhere from their perspective that they prefer you to maintain high beam - There are no mirrors to glare them, and the additional light allows them to tuck in closer to the curb for you where possible.
lyonspride said:
waremark said:
lyonspride said:
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
How old a car do you drive? For several years all cars sold have been fitted with daylight running lights which are brighter than sidelights and intended for this purpose. Like others, I am surprised by your opinion on the use of main beam, and I strongly disagree.
If so, then fair enough.
But what about roads without lighting, do you not think it appropriate to use main beam then?
JM said:
lyonspride said:
waremark said:
lyonspride said:
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
How old a car do you drive? For several years all cars sold have been fitted with daylight running lights which are brighter than sidelights and intended for this purpose. Like others, I am surprised by your opinion on the use of main beam, and I strongly disagree.
If so, then fair enough.
But what about roads without lighting, do you not think it appropriate to use main beam then?
I prefer dipped on say narrow country lanes, because i'm driving more slowly anyway and it allows me to see oncoming cars much earlier than if I were on main beam.
Unlit dual carriageway, yeah that's probably the longest time the main beam comes on.
Then sometimes just as it's going dark, i'll use main beam briefly before I round a blind corner, just to make sure that anyone coming the other way knows i'm there.
Overall I prefer dipped, because I can still see far enough at all but NSL speeds. Who knows, as eyesight worsens with age, perhaps my "night vision" won't be quite so good in 10-20 years time?
lyonspride said:
JM said:
lyonspride said:
waremark said:
lyonspride said:
I use dipped beam all year round, except for bright sunny days, I never driver on just side/parking lights.
How old a car do you drive? For several years all cars sold have been fitted with daylight running lights which are brighter than sidelights and intended for this purpose. Like others, I am surprised by your opinion on the use of main beam, and I strongly disagree.
If so, then fair enough.
But what about roads without lighting, do you not think it appropriate to use main beam then?
I prefer dipped on say narrow country lanes, because i'm driving more slowly anyway and it allows me to see oncoming cars much earlier than if I were on main beam.
Unlit dual carriageway, yeah that's probably the longest time the main beam comes on.
Then sometimes just as it's going dark, i'll use main beam briefly before I round a blind corner, just to make sure that anyone coming the other way knows i'm there.
Overall I prefer dipped, because I can still see far enough at all but NSL speeds. Who knows, as eyesight worsens with age, perhaps my "night vision" won't be quite so good in 10-20 years time?
Below is a photo I took on my way home in the dark the other day when I was a couple of miles from my house; it shows the extent of dipped beam in my 2010 3 series with standard headlights and clean headlamp glass. I've got pretty sensitive eyes and regularly see astronomical stuff like nebulae, galaxies etc that my other astronomy friends can't see, but with my eyes adjusted for the instruments and lit section of road, at this point I couldn't see anything at all beyond the dipped beam section - absolutely nothing.
Below are listed some stopping distances in the wet for "speeds up to NSL" (as you state above), including reaction time, from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Driving/Safety/Wet_w...
20mph 12 metres
30mph 23 metres
40mph 37 metres
50mph 53 metres
60mph 73 metres
What do you reckon is the visibility in the above photo? I reckon it's barely 12 metres (stopping distance from 20mph above). With main beam on I could see about 200-300 metres, which included a tight bend covered in gravel that's invisible in the above photo. I would normally drive this road at around 30mph, maybe 35mph, so as you can see my margin of safety on main beam is good with 200-300 metres vis. What speed would you be doing?
Edited by RobM77 on Monday 12th November 17:11
RobM77 said:
Is your dipped mean adjusted correctly? Out in the countryside, dipped beam should mean that the lit section of road stops about 10-20 metres in front of your car and beyond that is just complete blackness. There could be anything in that blackness: a fallen tree, a deer, cat, badger, a tight corner, an unlit pedestrian or cyclist, a humpback bridge, or once for me many years ago, a drunk man lying in the road! Surely your desire to see these sorts of things with more than 10 metres warning (at 40mph, that's 0.55 seconds) is stronger than your desire to see oncoming cars better?
Below is a photo I took on my way home in the dark the other day when I was a couple of miles from my house; it shows the extent of dipped beam in my 2010 3 series with standard headlights and clean headlamp glass. I've got pretty sensitive eyes and regularly see astronomical stuff like nebulae, galaxies etc that my other astronomy friends can't see, but with my eyes adjusted for the instruments and lit section of road, at this point I couldn't see anything at all beyond the dipped beam section - absolutely nothing.
Below are listed some stopping distances in the wet for "speeds up to NSL" (as you state above), including reaction time, from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Driving/Safety/Wet_w...
20mph 12 metres
30mph 23 metres
40mph 37 metres
50mph 53 metres
60mph 73 metres
What do you reckon is the visibility in the above photo? I reckon it's barely 12 metres (stopping distance from 20mph above). With main beam on I could see about 200-300 metres, which included a tight bend covered in gravel that's invisible in the above photo. I would normally drive this road at around 30mph, maybe 35mph, so as you can see my margin of safety on main beam is good with 200-300 metres vis. What speed would you be doing?
A camera cannot possibly compare to the human eye, also my car is on standard Lucas H7 halogens in standard headlamps (IE not projectors) they leak light way ahead of the cut off line, unlike my old Vectra which had projector headlights and had an extreme cut off line.Below is a photo I took on my way home in the dark the other day when I was a couple of miles from my house; it shows the extent of dipped beam in my 2010 3 series with standard headlights and clean headlamp glass. I've got pretty sensitive eyes and regularly see astronomical stuff like nebulae, galaxies etc that my other astronomy friends can't see, but with my eyes adjusted for the instruments and lit section of road, at this point I couldn't see anything at all beyond the dipped beam section - absolutely nothing.
Below are listed some stopping distances in the wet for "speeds up to NSL" (as you state above), including reaction time, from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Driving/Safety/Wet_w...
20mph 12 metres
30mph 23 metres
40mph 37 metres
50mph 53 metres
60mph 73 metres
What do you reckon is the visibility in the above photo? I reckon it's barely 12 metres (stopping distance from 20mph above). With main beam on I could see about 200-300 metres, which included a tight bend covered in gravel that's invisible in the above photo. I would normally drive this road at around 30mph, maybe 35mph, so as you can see my margin of safety on main beam is good with 200-300 metres vis. What speed would you be doing?
Two elements here, the cut off line AND the light intensity, contrary to modern opinion having extremely bright lights makes the contrast between light and dark much greater and in turn makes it harder to see anything outside the beam.
RobM77 said:
Below are listed some stopping distances in the wet for "speeds up to NSL" (as you state above), including reaction time, from https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Driving/Safety/Wet_w...
20mph 12 metres
30mph 23 metres
40mph 37 metres
50mph 53 metres
60mph 73 metres
What do you reckon is the visibility in the above photo? I reckon it's barely 12 metres (stopping distance from 20mph above). With main beam on I could see about 200-300 metres, which included a tight bend covered in gravel that's invisible in the above photo. I would normally drive this road at around 30mph, maybe 35mph, so as you can see my margin of safety on main beam is good with 200-300 metres vis. What speed would you be doing?
I don't think this guy is going to accept that driving around permanently on dipped beam and not using full beam is usual behaviour and limits your view ahead, whatever facts you put in front of him!20mph 12 metres
30mph 23 metres
40mph 37 metres
50mph 53 metres
60mph 73 metres
What do you reckon is the visibility in the above photo? I reckon it's barely 12 metres (stopping distance from 20mph above). With main beam on I could see about 200-300 metres, which included a tight bend covered in gravel that's invisible in the above photo. I would normally drive this road at around 30mph, maybe 35mph, so as you can see my margin of safety on main beam is good with 200-300 metres vis. What speed would you be doing?
We all (most) know you should be using full beam when appropriate.
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