Regardless of the lighting of the road, as well as in tunnels, a moving vehicle must turn on the following lighting fixtures:
- On all motor vehicles - headlamps or dipped beam; on bicycles - headlamps or lanterns; on horse-drawn carts- lights (if any);
- On trailers and towed motor vehicles - clearance lights.
What external lighting devices can you use when driving at night on unlit sections of roads?
Answer. When moving in dark time days on unlit sections of roads you must use, depending on road conditions, speed of movement and the presence of oncoming and passing vehicles in front, dipped headlights or high beam.
What external lighting devices should you use when driving at night on illuminated sections of roads in a settlement?
Answer. In built-up areas, the Rules require you to use only dipped-beam headlights when driving at night on illuminated sections of roads. Driving with side lights on is prohibited, as they do not identify your vehicle well enough for other road users. High beam headlights, given its dazzling effect on other drivers, are also prohibited.
What external lighting devices should be included in a tunnel with artificial lighting?
Answer. In a tunnel with artificial lighting, depending on the presence of oncoming or passing vehicles, dipped or main beam headlights should be turned on. Driving only with position or daytime running lights is prohibited, as they do not provide traffic safety in the event of a sudden shutdown of lighting.
What external lighting devices should be turned on at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, as well as in tunnels on towed motor vehicles?
| 1. | Daytime Running Lights. | |
| 2. | Parking lights. | |
| 3. | Rear fog lights. |
Answer. On towed mechanical vehicles and on trailers at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the illumination of the road, as well as in tunnels on a moving vehicle, the marker lights must be switched on.
Is it sufficient during daylight hours to turn on daytime running lights to identify a vehicle when driving in fog, when the visibility of the road is less than 300 m?
| 1. | Enough. | |
| 2. | Not enough. |
Answer. Brightness of LEDs used in daytime running lights, is considered sufficient to designate the vehicle instead of dipped headlights when driving during daylight hours. However, when driving in fog and other conditions of insufficient visibility, the vehicle must have high or low beam headlights on.
Can you use fog lights instead of low beam headlights during daylight hours?
Answer. IN daytime to designate a vehicle, the driver can use
planning long trip, you should not count on the fact that at night you can cover the same distance as during the day in a shorter time. claims that most of the traffic accidents occur at night and in the evening, both on city streets and on highways intercity communication. Many drivers mistakenly believe that due to the lower volume of traffic at night, you can safely and quickly drive a fairly large section of the road.
Do not forget that at night the driver is required to be extremely careful, vigilant and attentive, and that these qualities are dulled at night, since with the onset of twilight the body needs rest.
Night accident statistics
Statistics show that, on average, 50% of accidents of their total number occur at dusk and at night. This suggests that driving at night is always much more dangerous.
Driving at this time is very difficult. And even if you are a first-class driver with great experience, you will not always be able to predict the behavior on the roads of young and inexperienced motorists, of which there are plenty in our time.
Accidents on night and evening roads are of considerable severity, very often end in deaths. These are such accidents as a collision of cars (often head-on), collisions with pedestrians. The figures of 40-60% of accidents at night and before dawn are also confirmed by the statistics of foreign countries. In the United States, more than 53% of road accidents occur at this time of day, and for 56% of people injured in them, death. Institute road safety Sweden reports that a third of all crashes in the country happen at night, and of these, 21% are pedestrians.
German services recorded 2-3 times more accidents at night than in the daytime. In France, out of 1,000 road traffic accidents, 47 fatalities occur during the day and 83 at night.
Causes of increased accident rate at night
Dignity night road, so to speak, is a relatively small number of cars. However, this is precisely the negative factor that leads to the fact that the driver can relax, increase speed, partially lose vigilance, which can cause an accident. But if you are going on a trip at night, you should have a good rest, sleep and prepare your car accordingly, and also never neglect the rules. traffic. Check the operation of the headlights of the car in different positions, clean them and Windshield from dirt. At night, when visibility is not good enough, dirty glass worsens the view of the road, and also scatters the headlights of cars coming towards you. Don't forget to turn on the panel backlight and switch interior mirror to night mode.
Whether we like it or not, we have to drive at night, especially in winter. The day is very short, and sometimes we work for a long time. Therefore, in a timely manner, perform such manipulations:
Turn on the dipped beam as soon as it gets dark so that every participant in the movement can see the car;
- if it is necessary to stop, turn on the marker lights and pull over to the side of the road.
The most dangerous factor on night city roads and highways is considered to be bad review. At high speeds in places of poor visibility, it is quite difficult to assess any emerging traffic situation. There is only one conclusion - to adhere to the optimal speed.
Blinding the driver with the light from the headlights of an oncoming car is another of the main and important nuances night driving. Night overtaking, pedestrians and other obstacles (wagons, road equipment), crossings with oncoming traffic, poor pavement and lighting, nighttime rains and snowfalls are all important factors to consider when traveling at night.
How to behave on night roads
The carriageway at night is illuminated by car headlights for a distance of approximately 100 meters in length and 15 meters in width. Outside of this illuminated strip, almost nothing is visible. Therefore, almost 15% of night accidents occur when driving with an oncoming car - at this moment, visibility becomes much worse, as the driver is blinded by the car coming towards him. Maximum visibility is lost at a distance of 25-30 meters. With a sudden change in lighting, a person sees practically nothing, his vision is restored after about 20 seconds. During this time, a car moving at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour travels about 200 meters. That is why blinding the driver is so dangerous. This factor can be avoided or reduced by switching the headlights from high beam to low beam in a timely manner. High beams can interfere with normal night driving from a distance of 250-300 meters. This is the critical distance for switching, although the rules of the road require at least 150 meters.
In addition, experts recommend that when driving at night, do not look at the headlights of oncoming cars, but focus on the roadside. If blinding occurs, slow down or stop, and after making sure that there is no obstacle on the side of the road, try to pull over to it. When your eyes get used to the night light, keep moving.
Especially when driving around corners at night - here you need to slow down, do not look at the headlights, and when driving with low beams, pay more attention right side road (when turning left) based on the curb, posts, or plants illuminated by your vehicle's headlights.
Scheme of switching headlights and the choice of speed when overtaking
When approaching a car being overtaken, it is necessary to switch the headlights at a distance of 150-200 m so that the driver of the car in front is not blinded through the rear-view mirror. The high beam can be turned on when your vehicle is level with the vehicle being overtaken. The actions of the driver of the car being overtaken will be correct when, when approaching your car, he turns on the dipped beam, slows down and takes to the right. So he should move until the overtaking car moves away from him at a distance of 150-200 meters.
Regardless of the lighting of the road, as well as in the tunnels on a moving vehicle, the following lighting devices must be turned on:
- On all motor vehicles - high or low beam headlights, on bicycles - headlights or lanterns, on horse-drawn carts - lanterns (if any);
- On trailers and towed motor vehicles - clearance lights.
What external lighting devices can you use when driving at night on unlit sections of roads?
Answer. When driving at night on unlit sections of roads, you must use, depending on road conditions, speed and the presence of oncoming and passing vehicles in front, dipped or main beam headlights.
What external lighting devices should you use when driving at night on illuminated sections of roads in a settlement?
Answer. In built-up areas, the Rules require you to use only dipped-beam headlights when driving at night on illuminated sections of roads. Driving with side lights on is prohibited, as they do not identify your vehicle well enough for other road users. High beam headlights, given its dazzling effect on other drivers, are also prohibited.
What external lighting devices should be included in a tunnel with artificial lighting?
Answer. In a tunnel with artificial lighting, depending on the presence of oncoming or passing vehicles, dipped or main beam headlights should be turned on. Driving only with position or daytime running lights is prohibited, as they do not provide traffic safety in the event of a sudden shutdown of lighting.
What external lighting devices should be turned on at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, as well as in tunnels on towed motor vehicles?
| 1. | Daytime Running Lights. | |
| 2. | Parking lights. | |
| 3. | Rear fog lights. |
Answer. On towed mechanical vehicles and on trailers at night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the illumination of the road, as well as in tunnels on a moving vehicle, the marker lights must be switched on.
Is it sufficient during daylight hours to turn on daytime running lights to identify a vehicle when driving in fog, when the visibility of the road is less than 300 m?
| 1. | Enough. | |
| 2. | Not enough. |
Answer. The brightness of the LEDs used in daytime running lights is considered sufficient to indicate a vehicle instead of low beam headlights when driving during daylight hours. However, when driving in fog and other conditions of insufficient visibility, the vehicle must have high or low beam headlights on.
Can you use fog lights instead of low beam headlights during daylight hours?
Answer. In the daytime, to designate a vehicle, the driver can use
Sometimes drivers, going to overnight trip looking for something special effective remedy, For example . In such a situation, the driver should know a few simple medical facts. First, a person who has followed a regimen of staying awake during the day and sleeping at night for years will not be able to completely get rid of the desire to sleep at night. You can only prevent him from sleeping, which is what these kinds of pills do. After taking them, the body will be exhausted, and then the person will have to increase the intake of vitamins and sleep during normal hours for several days. It would be more correct to say "try to get enough sleep", because taking pills for night wakefulness will not go unnoticed - you may be haunted by insomnia for some time. The second is any pills, and, in particular, sleeping pills for driving are not completely eliminated from the body. All of them leave "traces" in tissues that never leave the body naturally. After several doses of these pills, you may begin to experience chronic problems with falling asleep. And then, perhaps, it will come to your mind to start taking sleeping pills in order to fall asleep. Here is the next medical fact for you. Any sleeping pill does not actually help you sleep, but instead it turns off consciousness. Sleep after taking sleeping pills is not sleep at all. This is easy to verify if you try to wake someone who helped himself to sleep in this way. If, however, a person is allowed to wake up on his own, after sleeping on sleeping pills, there is no feeling of cheerfulness and physical tone that is usual for a healthy sleep. In essence, this is an attempt to correct the result of taking one pill by taking another, and this is a disastrous path.
The worst thing is the consistent reception pills to keep you awake at the wheel and then sleeping pills (sleeping pills). In this case, the endocrine system receives crushing chemical blows and a person can chronically come into a mentally inadequate state. If at the same time he is advised to go to a psychiatrist, it will not be possible to save him. We will not go into the details of such stories - they are easy to find on the net. Just if you still decide to take a pill - first re-read these lines.
The driver before the night road is recommended to have a good sleep. If this is not possible, then it is worth protecting yourself from excessive stress: long reading, loud noise, hard mental work, TV or computer work. Take brewed coffee or strong tea with sugar and lemon with you on the road. This is the most available ways Togo, how not to sleep at the wheel, and it will break the monotony of a long road.
If you feel that fatigue is taking over, then it is better not to risk it and stop for a while. Do some simple exercises to relax your back and neck muscles. They will help increase blood circulation and saturate the brain with oxygen. The same effect can be achieved by taking a few slow deep breaths and exhalations. Washing with cold water also relieves fatigue and invigorates a little.
How not to sleep at the wheel at night and what to do if you want to sleep while driving
There is a very effective way as how not to sleep at night driving. The essence of what is happening to the driver is that he is focused on driving. Now, the secret is to switch attention. And switch so that it is completely gone from the driving process. After that, you can return to driving the car and feel cheerful for a while. So anyway, what to do if you want to sleep while driving? Answer: you need to stop, get out of the car and walk around the car. Despite the apparent simplicity of this method, it is very effective. Walk around the car several times. Best of all, if you could walk like this for at least thirty minutes. This method is good because it returns attention to driving, and at the same time you do not affect the body with caffeine or anything else. Try it if you haven't tried it yet. Whatever happens, in any situation, our field assistance specialists on the roads of Moscow will come and provide the necessary assistance.
There is also such a thing as twilight. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs twice a day: after sunset and before sunrise. Twilight is due to the fact that direct sunlight no longer hits the earth's surface, but illuminates the sky, and objects are illuminated by light scattered in the atmosphere. And in one of the following chapters, it will be possible to find out the limited visibility of the road on closed turns, on a mountain road (serpentine), on a forest road, at an intersection in a village and when overtaking a bus at a bus stop.
The human eye does not immediately adapt to the onset of darkness. The process can last up to half an hour and consists in changes in the retina and pupil, which allow a person to adapt to lighting conditions, to see in conditions of insufficient visibility in twilight light and in partial darkness. Such an adaptation, called dark adaptation, is associated with the expansion of the pupils and with the activation of the activity of the rods - the peripheral processes of the photoreceptors of the retina, which function better in the dark.
When we talk about the traffic situation and use the word "darkness", then, as a rule, we mean the dark time of the day, to which this section is devoted. But it should be understood that all the features of the road traffic and tips for driving at night fully apply to other conditions with insufficient illumination, for example, in unlit tunnels, under dense crowns of trees, etc.
Danger. The main feature of the dark time of the day is low illumination or its complete absence. This results in two major hazards: unfamiliar environments and driver fatigue.
During the day, most objects are lit quite brightly and evenly. Driving the same way several times, you get used to the location of roadside objects, road signs, markings, as well as holes, bumps and other obstacles. Everything looks different at night. Objects that are clearly visible during the day lose their clear outlines in the dark, become barely noticeable, and the eyes no longer distinguish shades of even primary colors. You don't see the lines road markings and, ultimately, the exact direction of movement. All these factors affect the behavior of the driver, caught in an unusual environment. It is not surprising that in such conditions it is easy to turn in the wrong direction, to miss the right turn, since the signs of the road situation have become different, unusual.
The most dangerous period in terms of illumination is the transition from sunlight to darkness or vice versa, that is, evening and morning twilight. During these hours, objects are no longer so intensely illuminated, and the included headlights as an additional source of light are still completely insufficient. In addition, sometimes drivers continue to drive at the same speed as during the day, ignoring poor visibility.
Another danger is the driver himself. Nature has decreed that at night people should sleep. With the onset of darkness, our biological clock gives a kind of signal to go to sleep to all organs, primarily to the brain. If a person is driving late into the night, then he begins to experience fatigue, which increases over time, becomes longer and more intense. In the evening twilight, bouts of fatigue begin, which can continue until complete darkness, when the internal reserves of the body turn on - the so-called second wind. On the other hand, morning twilight is just as dangerous as evening twilight, if not more so. Fatigue accumulates overnight, and by morning the driver wants to sleep much more than in the evening. According to statistics, cases when drivers fall asleep at the wheel occur precisely in the pre-morning hours.
Dangerous when driving at night there may be bright light. We are talking about a sharp change from darkness to light, for example, when entering a locality or illuminated by street lamps petrol station: eyes that have already adapted to the darkness experience shock and lose their visual acuity for a few seconds.
Typical mistakes. Often, drivers do not pay due attention to night trips. And very in vain, because night driving requires increased attention and high visual acuity. But motorists make mistakes that can turn into bad consequences. For example, a long bright light, looking at small details, loud music reduce the sharpness of night vision. A tired driver loses the speed of reactions. And since night trips often occur after a working day, the probability of an accident is very high.
Sometimes drivers do not monitor the condition of the car's lights. Meanwhile, only one non-burning marker lamp in the rear light for the car that follows you, can visually turn your car into a motorcycle and change its dimensions, narrowing them down to half a meter.
Damaged windows themselves reduce visibility, and in the dark they can also refract the beams of the headlights of oncoming or passing vehicles. It misleads you, forces you to make the wrong decisions and take the wrong actions.
And finally, about respect for your colleagues. Everyone knows how unpleasant it is when an oncoming car blinds high beam headlights Most drivers switch their high beams to low beams when oncoming traffic. But many people forget that you can also be blinded when a car with a high beam is approaching from behind the vehicle in front. A motorist gets a beam of light in his eyes, which is reflected in the rear-view mirror, which leads to partial blindness and an accident.
Riding at night
TO driving at night need to prepare in advance. This applies to both technical condition vehicle, as well as the condition of the driver.
Check if all bulbs are lit in the headlights and rear lights. Special attention give stoplights, ask someone to help you with this. Learn headlight control on a car you've been driving recently so you don't have to search in the dark desired buttons and pens. If the lenses of headlights or lamps are dirty, wipe them down, as the light output through cloudy optics loses up to half of its power. Replace broken glass and splintered lenses of headlights and lanterns in a timely manner.
Adjust the direction of the headlight beam. Properly tuned light sources will not blind oncoming drivers, and they illuminate the road as designed. In a loaded car, the headlights shine higher, so do not forget to use the headlight corrector and set the position that corresponds to the load. If the car is equipped with xenon head optics, then periodically check the automatic headlight beam throw adjustment.
Keep your distance from the person in front while driving. vehicle. It should be larger than during the day, because at night the perception changes, and the estimate of the safe distance also changes. Watch the speed, do not exceed the maximum allowed in this area, but rather reduce it by 10-15 km / h.
With peripheral vision, hold on to the solid marking line that limits the right edge of the carriageway. Despite the fact that at night high speed the road visually narrows, do not try to drive close to the center line or dividing line. But do not drive to the side of the road: there may be pedestrians or parked vehicles.
Riding at night with a high beam leads to blinding oncoming drivers, so do not forget to switch it to the low beam in a timely manner when passing oncoming traffic and approaching a passing vehicle. At the same time, reduce your speed. Optimal Speed driving outside the city with low beam - 50 km / h.
If the oncoming driver does not want to switch the high beam in any way, signal this to him with a few short-term switching on of the high beam. If blinding does occur, immediately slow down without resorting to emergency braking, turn on the hazard warning lights, turn to the right and stop. Do all this quickly and clearly enough, but do not provoke a collision with you from behind. When driving oncoming traffic, even if the driver switched the headlights to dipped, but it seems too bright to you, look not at the approaching car, but at right shoulder, which is indicated by a solid line.
Finally, plan your itinerary in advance. If you have a trip to another region, study the relevant maps, take them with you. Minimize the search for the desired turn, do not interfere with other cars. Keep in mind that the road surface, especially in remote areas, is not always smooth and asphalt, so be prepared for a sudden change of scenery.
SDA. Clause 1.2 of the SDA defines: "Dark time of day - the period of time from the end of evening twilight to the beginning of morning twilight". Accordingly, all the restrictions and advice listed above apply precisely to this time. But remember the insidiousness of twilight, as well as the unexpected darkness that comes, for example, in unlit tunnels.
In addition, there is a strict limitation specified in paragraph 2 " General Responsibilities drivers”, namely in clause 2.3.1: "It is forbidden to move<...>non-burning (missing) headlights and rear parking lights at night or in poor visibility.
It is said in the traffic rules and that "emergency light signaling should be included<...>when the driver is blinded by headlights"(clause 7.1).
Visibility conditions are of fundamental importance in the activity of the driver. They make choices speed limit, refusal to perform various maneuvers, the use of external lighting devices and other aspects of movement.
Therefore, depending on the visibility conditions, the work of the driver should also be lined up: better visibility- easier for the driver. And vice versa!
The rules know two main types of visibility of the road and objects located on it:
- depending from lack of light(Night time; insufficient visibility, daylight hours days);
- depending from limited visibility (limited visibility).
Let us consider these visibility conditions and the features of movement in them in more detail.
Night time
The onset of night forces the driver to use the lighting devices provided for by the design of his vehicle. These are mainly low beam and high beam headlights. We will consider the duties of a motorist for their use separately. What is "dark time"?
Definition from the SDA (clause 1.2):
« Night time» - the time interval from the end of evening twilight to the beginning of morning twilight.
It is easy to understand: the dark time of the day begins after the sun disappears beyond the horizon and stops sending even reflections of its rays to Earth. The twilight ended - the dark time of the day began. And already in the morning the dark time of the day ends with the morning dawn.
To put it simply, the dark time of the day is darkness, when nothing is visible without additional lighting! The visibility of the road becomes minimal, and the driver is not only obliged, but simply physically forced to use lighting devices for driving, giving this most additional illumination. The requirements for the use of such devices are regulated by the special 19th section of the SDA.
Otherwise, there is a threat not to notice in a timely manner:
- pedestrian
- vehicle;
- some obstacle on the road.
And the result is traditional - an accident.
Therefore, when driving at night, the driver is obliged to drive his car at such a speed that it stopping way(necessary for a trouble-free stop) would necessarily be less than the distance of ordinary visual visibility. And external lighting devices thoroughly help him in this.
And sometimes, unfortunately, no!
In the conditions of the dark time of the day, the driver must see the road, and not move along it at random. This is the law of safety!
Insufficient visibility
And what about those cases when, it would seem, there is visibility of the road and objects on it, but it is impossible to get an adequate picture of what is happening? When natural lighting seems to be there, but it is clearly not enough for a complete picture of perception ...
In this case, we are faced with insufficient visibility, when the driver is also (as in the case of the dark time of the day) obliged to use external lighting devices (mainly dipped and main beam headlights).
Definition from the SDA (clause 1.2):
« Insufficient visibility» - visibility of the road less than 300 m in conditions of fog, rain, snowfall and the like, as well as at dusk.
As can be seen from the definition, conditions of insufficient visibility can be:
1) snowfall (blizzard, snowstorm, etc.);
3) rain (shower, etc.);
4) twilight (morning and evening dawns);
5) other conditions (smog, smoke screens from a burning forest, etc.).
In all the examples given, one thing is clearly seen - insufficient visual visibility for the safe movement of the vehicle.
But just how strong must the inadequate visibility of the road, pedestrians, vehicles, obstacles, etc. be for these conditions to be considered insufficient visibility? The rules clearly answer this question.
Criterion of insufficient visibility - 300 meters. Of course, a novice driver can resist this turn of events and put forward two fundamental questions.
1. How to determine this very distance?
Approximately, "by eye" or using local landmarks. For example, central lighting poles, the distance between which is approximately 50 meters.
It's easy to calculate. And if you can’t do this, then it’s better to play it safe and start following the traffic rules in conditions of insufficient visibility. That is, turn on the lights in the required mode. You definitely can't go wrong!
2. What does "road visibility less than 300 meters" mean? To what extent must normal visual perception be impaired for this to be considered insufficient visibility?
And there is an answer to this question. If the driver cannot distinguish the color of the car, its shape from such a distance (recall! - 300 meters), vaguely sees the outlines of a pedestrian, does not identify objects on the road - this is insufficient visibility. But, as in the first case, it would be more expedient and safer to play it safe, calculating the driving conditions as insufficient visibility. And again, use external lighting devices (in accordance with the norms of Section 19 of the SDA).
Daylight hours
Let's be honest, modern Rules do not give the concept of daylight hours. And in vain! Because even during daylight hours, the driver is obliged to use external lighting devices when driving on roads (dipped beam, fog lights, ).
But we can quite independently define these conditions of visibility: when there is neither dark time of the day, nor insufficient visibility, we move in the daytime. Agree, it’s not at all difficult to think out the missing concept in the SDA!
Limited visibility
Visibility conditions can be caused not only by the lack of natural (solar, daylight) illumination on the road. The driver can also move in such conditions when his visual field of view is blocked by any objects, or he moves along a road with a complex profile.
The rules call this low visibility mode.
Definition from the SDA (clause 1.2):
« Limited visibility» - the driver's visibility of the road in the direction of travel, limited by the terrain, geometric parameters roads, vegetation, buildings, structures or other objects, including vehicles.
Physical limitation of visibility is the criterion for limited visibility. Let us give the most typical examples.
1. sharp turn roads.
2. A section of the road at the very end of the ascent.
3. The location of objects that do not give an adequate view (buildings and even vehicles).
Unfortunately, the SDA has not fully finalized the issue regarding the specific distance that would characterize limited visibility. But in the very text of the Rules (in sections 8, 10, 11, 12) the answer is given: limited visibility is the visibility of the road less than 100 meters.
In conditions of limited visibility, the driver is prohibited from performing whole line maneuvers (for example, overtaking, turning, etc., and also act). More specifically, we will talk about this when commenting on the relevant sections of the Rules.
In conditions of limited visibility, the driver is advised to slow down. And it’s understandable why: one must see the section of the road that he enters for the sudden appearance of some objects on it (for example, obstacles or vehicles).
Results
Let us summarize the consideration of issues related to visibility conditions.
The visibility of a road with insufficient lighting (dark hours, low visibility) or limited visibility (limited visibility) requires the driver to take adequate measures to ensure maximum safety on the road and avoid accidents.
The most efficient way to similar conditions is a reduction in speed. This will allow you to stop in time even in the event of a sudden danger. And, of course, the utmost attentiveness of the driver and his concentration.
Many drivers note that it allows you to get a discount when applying for an OSAGO policy in case accident-free driving in previous years.
what are the spars of the car and after an accident.
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