When are you required to use your headlights?

Using headlights is a crucial aspect of safe driving, particularly during nighttime or when visibility conditions are poor. This requirement is in place to ensure that you can see the road ahead and to make your vehicle visible to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Nighttime driving inherently comes with reduced visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. Similarly, poor visibility can arise due to weather conditions like rain, fog, or snow, where the natural light is insufficient for safe driving.

While fog does specifically necessitate caution and particular use of headlights—like using low beams to avoid reflection—the broader guideline is that headlights should be utilized during nighttime or any situation where visibility is compromised. This approach enhances overall road safety for everyone involved. The proper use of headlights is not based solely on the presence of other vehicles or personal discretion but rather on situational visibility needs.