Safe driving: Headlight tips when it comes to rainy season

The rainy season is upon us, and car owners are, of course, adjusting to the weather. We all know that the wet season can bring an increase in road accidents. Motorists are thus doubly encouraged to do the preliminary checks and measurements to ensure road safety. 

Driving in moderate speed is very important when it is raining cats and dogs. It is also important for drivers to remember that they should turn on their headlights during heavy downpours or when it gets darker than usual during day time. This article from Philkotse.com will tackle about headlight safety tips for the rainy season.

In the early days, a car’s headlight was merely an acetylene lamp that had to be manually lit by the driver. This innovation made driving at night safer then. Eventually, Cadillac spearheaded incorporating an electrical system into automobiles in 1912. Today, this is required in all vehicles and resulted in headlights that are brighter and last longer.

Always turn on your headlights when it starts to rain

Then and now, car headlights have prevented many road-related accidents. It is thus important to promote their use. Drivers must turn on headlights when it starts to rain, regardless if it’s night or day. Turning on your headlights improves your visibility on the road.

You do not need to switch on your bright lights, just enough light to let you see wet surfaces and other drivers. Bright lights just bounce into your eyes and can irritate other drivers.

>>> Read more: Top 10 tips to avoid headlight glare at night.

Headlights should also be turned on when you are using your windshield wipers

Regardless of the time of the day, as long as there is adverse weather condition, turn those headlights on. Here are some of the recommendations of the Department of Motor Vehicles of the United States on when to turn on your headlights: 

• Adverse weather circumstances when it is difficult to see like rain, fog, or smoke
• On country and mountain thoroughfares
• On narrow two-lane highways
• Road signs indicate a daytime headlight zone
• Before sunset and sunrise

Studies show that low-light conditions contribute to half of the road-related deaths, and the statistics regarding headlight conditions are alarming, too. Many headlights need improvement. 

Always make sure that your headlights are regularly maintained to prepare you for the unexpected downpour. Clean these and always make sure that they are well-polished so they can illuminate as expected.

They should be free of any elements that can negatively affect the light’s effectiveness like dirt or mud. If your headlights need replacing, get new ones promptly. Buff for increased brightness and polish the headlight lens housing regularly, too.

>>> Also read: Prepare your ride for the rainy season: 6 common car problems & tips to avoid.

Always make sure that your headlights are regularly maintained

Drivers should also know the time for high-beam and low-beam use. Low-beam headlights are capable of delivering light to just a small area while limiting the view that is being directed to the incoming traffic. This is ideally used in daily traffic or during rain or fog because the downward light being directed gives clarity to low-visibility conditions.

It is crucial for drivers to know when to use high and low beam lights on the road

>>> For your reference: Choosing the best headlight for your car: 5 common kinds of drivers.

Another smart thing to learn is how to read headlight symbols for correct usage

Another smart thing to learn is how to read headlight symbols for correct usage. Your headlights pretty much have a straightforward task: to provide better visibility to you and make other motorists aware of where you are. You can upgrade your lights if you prefer, but make sure you get guidance in doing so.