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)?
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