When is it required to turn on your headlights?

Turning on your headlights when visibility is less than 500 feet is crucial for ensuring your safety and the safety of others on the road. This guideline is meant to help you increase your visibility to other drivers and allow you to see the road ahead clearly, especially during adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, or snow, where distance perception can be significantly affected.

Moreover, turning on your headlights in low-visibility situations helps communicate your presence to other road users, making it less likely for accidents to occur. The 500 feet threshold is a standard measurement used often in driving regulations because it is a reasonable distance at which headlights can effectively illuminate the road and be seen by other drivers.

While using headlights during nighttime driving, in fog, or when it is raining are all important practices, the specific requirement for visibility under 500 feet encapsulates the essence of safe driving in reduced visibility conditions.