Meeting other vehicles

Another vehicle’s lights can tell you in which direction they’re heading and can give you an idea of their speed. Oncoming lights should raise a number of questions in your mind, such as

• How far away is the vehicle and how fast is it moving?
• Should I slow down while we pass each other?
• How soon should I dip my lights?
• How far ahead can I see before I dip?
• Before I dip, is there anything on my side of the road
  • that I might endanger?
  • that might endanger me?

Examples include a stationary vehicle, a cyclist, a pedestrian, or an unlit skip.

When your headlights are on full beam

• dip early enough to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, but not too early
• check the left-hand verge before you dip.

If you’re dazzled

If the headlights of oncoming vehicles dazzle you, slow down and, if necessary, stop. Don’t look directly at oncoming headlights.

Don’t retaliate by leaving your lights on full beam and dazzling the oncoming driver.

On a left-hand bend

Dip earlier. Your headlights will cut straight across the eyes of anyone coming towards you. On a right-hand bend this might not happen, or it won’t happen so soon.