Keep Wipers On, Keep Headlights On

Headlights make it easier for others to see you in the rain. There are 27 states that currently have a ?wipers on, headlights on? law. Visibility is greatly decreased when it rains, so when the headlights are on, others can see you better. With an estimated 25% of vehicles in need of new wiper blades, everything you can do to make your vehicle more visible is a step in the right direction.
 
Your headlights do not necessarily make it easier for you to see the road, but it helps others see you. Besides the rain coming down, windows get foggy and road glare makes it harder to see. Your standard low beams are the best option. They are designed to light up the road and allow others to see you coming, but will not reflect back at the driver. So slow down, turn your headlights on and drive defensively.
 
Many people are unaware when it is appropriate to use the high beam or low beam. In general, the low beam should be the lamps that are used for most driving conditions.
 
Low beams, when properly adjusted, light up the road and objects up to the same height as the headlight itself. The distance is approximately 160 feet. If Xenon or HID headlights are used, there actually seems to be a line in front of you at about half that distance, but they illuminate the same distance.
 
High beams illuminate 500 feet or more as well as the light spreading up, down and to both sides. This is why high beams are not useful in snow, rain or fog. The light simply shines right back at you. High beams are designed for roads where you need to see far, high or wide.
 
Fog lamps are designed primarily for one purpose, to keep the light low, wide and with minimal distance so you can see what is directly in front of you without causing a blinding condition for yourself or others. Driving lamps are designed to make it easier to see low, far and wide, such as on a winding country road. When a vehicle comes around a bend, the driver will not be blinded. Keep your lights adjusted properly and use the correct beam for the correct driving condition.
 
A headlight relay is what turns the headlamps on and is basically an electro-mechanical switch. When power is delivered to the relay, the circuit closes and allows the headlights to turn on. Remove the power source, the circuit opens and cuts power to the headlights.