Driving at night feels different the moment your headlights go on. Good lighting keeps you and others visible, but a bad setup can blind on‑coming traffic or even cause a fine. Below are the most useful habits that keep your lights working right and staying legal.
Headlights do three things: illuminate the road, signal your presence, and help other drivers see you. When they’re dim, dirty, or misaligned, you lose distance perception and increase the chance of striking an obstacle. Too bright, especially with unshielded LEDs, can blind drivers in the opposite lane, raising accident risk and attracting police attention. In many regions, the law sets a maximum brightness and requires a specific beam pattern, so staying within those limits protects both safety and your registration.
1. Clean the lenses regularly. Dirt, bugs, and road grime act like a foggy window. A soft cloth and mild soap are enough; avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the plastic.
2. Check alignment once a year. Park on a level surface, aim at a wall about 25 feet away, and make sure the brightest part of each beam sits just below the horizontal line and points slightly outward. Misalignment reduces the area you see and can blind other drivers.
3. Choose the right bulb type. Halogen bulbs are cheap and meet most legal standards. LED upgrades are brighter and last longer, but you must pick a model that is DOT‑approved for your car and has proper shielding to avoid glare. If you’re not sure, ask a reputable shop to install a certified set.
4. Replace burnt‑out bulbs promptly. A single out‑of‑order headlight halves your illumination and can trigger a traffic stop. Most cars let you access the bulb without removing the whole assembly; a quick online video can show you the exact steps.
5. Test high and low beams together. Switch between them while parked to ensure both work and that the high beam clears the low‑beam shadow. If the high beam stays dim, the reflector may be dirty or the bulb faulty.
6. Use daytime running lights wisely. DRLs improve visibility in daylight but don’t replace low beams at night. Keep them on if your car has them; they add a small safety margin without extra effort.
Following these checks weekly and a deeper inspection every six months will keep your headlights bright enough to see, dim enough not to blind, and legal enough to avoid tickets. Simple habits, big safety gains.
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