Driving in the dark and being dazzled
When driving in the dark there is less light around us to see, thus our eyes have to adapt. Usually our eye iris expands to allow more light to enter and the nerve sensors in the back of the eyes become more sensitive to light. This process for our eyes to adapt can take some time (5-10 min) and is called "dark adaptation". When an approaching car with bright head lights dazzle us our eyes can quickly adapt to the sharp light but our eyes have a hard time adapting to the darkness afterwards (This is the period of being dazzeld) and can be very dangerous as you cant see anything infront of you or to the side of the road like a pedestrian.
Correct dimming when overtaking a car in the same direction
Its good to notice that the driver in front of you will be dazzled through the center mirror.
- 1: As soon as your cars main beam head lights touch the back of the car infront of you switch to dipped head lights
- 2: With dipped head lights drive closer to the car so that the distance to overtake is shorter
- 3: Start overtaking the car as soon as you see the road is clear. The moment you pass the back of the vehicle in front of you turn on the main beam head lights so that you can see far ahead on the oncoming traffic lane.
- 4: Turn back into the right lane. The car behind you now will switch his main beam head lights to dipped headlights
Correct dimming when overtaking a car in the opposite direction
Its good to notice that you and the driver in front of you will be dazzled by both your main beam headlights.
- 1: Both cars will likely drive with main beam headlights on
- 2: As soon as your main beam headlights meet or that you feel you're becoming dazzled its time to switch to dipped head lights. Sometimes the oncoming driver dont turn their main beam headlights off. You can flash once your main beam headlights to indicate / remind him that you are currently being dazzled
- 3: Exactly when the two drivers by pass each other can you turn on your main beam headlights.
- 4: Continue driving as normal
Correct dimming when overtaking a car on a corner / bend in opposite direction
Its good to notice that the car on the outside lane dont have to switch of their main beam headlights as the light will always shine outwards and wont dazzle the oncoming driver.
- 1: Both cars will likely drive with main beam headlights on
- 2: As soon as your main beam headlights meet the car on the corner its time to switch to dipped head lights (Note you will not feel being dazzled as the oncoming car lights always sign outwards).
- 3: Exactly when the two drivers by pass each other can you turn on your main beam headlights.
Clothes visibility in the darkness
Different clothes have different reflection properties. When walking at night always ensure you have reflective clothes on as this is the most visible for vehicles. Main beam headlights shine much further, thus its important to drive with your main head lights on as often as possible with out dazzling drivers (Note you do not need to switch to dipped head lights for pedestrians as they can look away)
Main beam headlights (Above)
Dipped beam headlights (Below)| Head light | Reflector clothes (A) | Light clothes (B) | Dark clothes (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main beam | 450 m | 300 m | 150 m |
| Dipped Beam | 125 m | 60 m | 25 m |