the driver's handbook

82
R O A d R U L E S
Driving at Night or in
Poor Visibility
When driving between sunset and sunrise or in hazardous weather
conditions, when rain, dust or fog cause reduced or poor visibility, your
vehicle’s headlights, rear lights and number plate light must be turned
on. It is an offence to drive a vehicle displaying only parking lights
during these times.
Visibility can be said to be poor any time when, owing to insufficient
daylight or unfavourable conditions, people or vehicles on a road are
not clearly visible at a distance of about 100 metres to a person of
normal vision.
Pedestrians and bicycles are sometimes hard to see at night and in
bad weather. Watch carefully for them.
When driving at night or in poor visibility
• Your driving speed at night should be adjusted to the range of your
headlights. Drive so that you can stop well within the distance you
can see to be clear ahead.
• Do not look directly at oncoming headlights. You may be dazzled.
Look at the left hand side of the road and drive well to the left. If
you are dazzled, slow down. If you cannot see, stop.
• You can momentarily flash your headlights on high beam to
indicate to another driver that you intend to overtake.
• Keep your windscreen and lights clean.
The Driver’s Handbook
• Always dip your lights within 200 metres both when an oncoming
vehicle is approaching you and when you are approaching the
rear of another vehicle. It is an offence to use your lights in such a
way that you dazzle other road users.
• Front or rear fog lights can also be used in fog or other hazardous
weather conditions causing reduced visibility – but you must
switch them off when visibility improves.
• To reduce the effect of being dazzled by the headlights of
on-coming vehicles at night, before starting your journey,
thoroughly clean your windscreen inside and outside of insects
and dust. Regularly clean your windscreen and lights throughout
your journey (usually at refuelling or rest stops).
Hazard warning lights
You must not use your hazard warning lights unless your vehicle is
stopped or going slowly and causing an obstruction, or is stopped in
an emergency lane.
Hazard warning lights can be used by drivers:
• in hazardous weather conditions
• as part of an anti-theft device
• if you are stopping to sell a product (such as ice-creams)
• by the driver of a school bus when picking up or setting down
passengers.
Warning device (horn)
You must sound your warning device only to warn others of danger.
You must not use your warning device to create unnecessary or
offensive noise. Musical warning devices are not permitted.