Dipping headlights on very open roads

James_N

I know full well about the need to dip headlights to prevent dazzling oncoming road users, but I wonder how far in advance you should do this - when they come round a bend a few hundred yards in front, of course - but how about a ½ mile away?

The situation is driving back across a local moor - unfenced and lots of cattle, sheep and horses and thus a need to keep a good look out. The road rises and falls and coming "my" way falls into a lower section off a ridge. You can see a couple of miles. Oncoming traffic usually "dips" a couple of hundred yards off or so, maybe a bit more - enough to prevent dazzle, but keeping enough light to see the possible animals (we have seen cars wrecked and horses lying dead, so this is a real risk to the unwary driver - and the horses especially can take fright and start running).

So on THIS occasion there is one car oncoming about a mile and a half away. He dips that early. I don't. He then starts flashing. A couple at first then furiously. I dip at the "normal" kind of distance, lets say 300 yards - before his lights affect me at all. At which point I get the benefit of his entire array of lights at full beam and the horn for the last 100 yards.
So - what's your opinion (and yes there were animals wandering in that location AND the limit is 40 there despite being a country road)

marleyboy

I generally dip as soon as I have acknowledged the approaching vehicle.

globalds

I would dip when I saw their headlights ..The headlights still work and I would slow down if I felt the need.

Far better if someone behind me is annoyed and has to slow down , rather than causing the driver in front and coming towards me to be blinded.

It is reducing your speed, not your main beam that will be the thing that reduces your chance of avoiding an animal straying in the road .

shammyjack

I go with the OP unless on a long straight when both are on it . Seen too many accidents in the local Pennine hills when drivers driving on dipped in unlit areas !

James_N

shammyjack wrote: »

I go with the OP unless on a long straight when both are on it . Seen too many accidents in the local Pennine hills when drivers driving on dipped in unlit areas !

This is not a straight road we are talking about - you can see the other cars coming along a very long way off - many small curves and dips before they are "in your face".
Even at 30 - 40 you need the max light possible for as long as is reasonable to see the animals, in my opinion. Horses in particular can move - and very suddenly.

Spicy_McHaggis

James_N wrote: »

This is not a straight road we are talking about - you can see the other cars coming along a very long way off - many small curves and dips before they are "in your face".
Even at 30 - 40 you need the max light possible for as long as is reasonable to see the animals, in my opinion. Horses in particular can move - and very suddenly.

You should have dipped when you saw him coming.

shammyjack

James_N wrote: »

This is not a straight road we are talking about - you can see the other cars coming along a very long way off - many small curves and dips before they are "in your face".
Even at 30 - 40 you need the max light possible for as long as is reasonable to see the animals, in my opinion. Horses in particular can move - and very suddenly.

Excuse me but DID I NOT AGREE WITH YOU ?

Wheyhey

From a IAMs instructor, I got the answer that it should be as soon as you see the other car's headlights. Not saying it's 100% correct but it's what I do and it prevents dazzling at any distance rather than the off chance of dazzling from far away if that makes sense.

pelo_2

If other drivers flash you ours because you are dazzling them. Logic says you should dip right away.

pullenuk

Do you even realise how powerful the beams are? On some modern cars they can dazzle at quite a distance. Dip when you see the other car don't blind them. If you cannot see the dangers slow down. If something is going to jump out at you it will do it when it wants. Full beams make no difference to a horse jumping out at 25 yards, you are likely to hit it at speed so slow down.

Norman_Castle

So on THIS occasion there is one car oncoming about a mile and a half away. He dips that early. I don't. He then starts flashing. A couple at first then furiously. I dip at the "normal" kind of distance, lets say 300 yards - before his lights affect me at all. At which point I get the benefit of his entire array of lights at full beam and the horn for the last 100 yards.
So - what's your opinion (and yes there were animals wandering in that location AND the limit is 40 there despite being a country road)

Its unlikely you need to dip your headlights from a mile and a half away on a 40 mph road. It sounds like you met a motoring dictator.