Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Headlights – a clearer view to safety
Your headlights have two equally important, life-saving duties. They show you hazards and obstructions on the road – and they let other drivers know where you are.
It’s the law
The Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to use headlights from one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunrise and any time visibility is less than 60 metres. With the end of Daylight Savings Time even late afternoon can seem dimly lit. You should also know driving on one headlight is illegal and dangerous. So replace burned-out lights immediately.
Hit the dimmer switch
Don’t use your high-beam lights in the city. When on the highway, switch to low beams well in advance (450 metres) of oncoming vehicles and when travelling close behind (60 metres) another vehicle.
Use low-beams in fog and inclement weather
When using your headlights in daytime because of bad weather such as fog, use your low-beams to reduce glare for other drivers.
Don’t be blinded by the light
Avoid looking directly at the headlights coming your way in order to reduce eye strain. You’ll actually see clearer if you focus on the right edge of the roadway.
Keep them clean
Clean the road dirt off your headlights – especially in slushy and muddy conditions – so they’re well visible.
Don’t outrun your light
And remember this important rule of thumb: if you need more road to stop than you can see by your headlights, you’re going too fast.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, and check out the following on our website:
- Headlights in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Headlights directly
