60 | Driver’s Manual The law requires you to use your headlights  from one-half hour after the sun sets to one-half  hour before the sun rises, when visibility is less  than 1,000 feet (300 m) and when you use your  windshield wipers to clear rain, snow or sleet.  Turn your headlights on at dawn, dusk and in fog.  Even when headlights do not help you see in low- light periods, they make it easier for other drivers  and pedestrians to see your vehicle. Do not use  parking lights or daytime lights as a replacement.  Headlights do a better job. If an oncoming driver  flashes headlights at you during a period of low  visibility, it means your vehicle was difficult to see  and you should turn on your headlights. improve your safety under these conditions (see  Chapter 8). Take additional care on curves, turns  and expressway ramps. Be considerate when you use your high beams.  Your headlights must be on low beam when you  are within 500 feet (150 m) of an oncoming vehicle  or within 200 feet (60 m) of a vehicle ahead of  you, even if the vehicle ahead is in a different lane.  You should also dim your lights for pedestrians  who approach you. Any fog or driving lights your  vehicle has must be arranged, adjusted or operat- ed to avoid dangerous glare to other drivers. If an approaching driver does not dim the  headlights, flash your headlights to high beam for  a second, then return to low beam. To help avoid  the glare of approaching high beams, move your  eyes to the right. Use the road edge as a guide  until the approaching vehicle passes by. To reduce glare from the lights of following  vehicles, switch your inside rear view mirror to the  “night” position. Light from inside your vehicle or from street  lights makes it harder for you to see the road  ahead. Keep the interior roof light off and dim the  dashboard lights. Adjust your visors to reduce  glare from lights from above. A dirty windshield increases glare from ap- proaching headlights. Make sure your lights and  windshield glass are clean for night driving.  A bit of rain, snow or ice makes roads slip- pery. Wet leaves can be slippery and hazardous.  Reduced speed and increased following distance  In heavy rain, your tires can begin to ride on the  water that is on top of the road pavement. This  is called “hydroplaning” and can cause complete  loss of traction and control of steering. Hydroplan- ing normally occurs at higher speeds, but it also  can occur if your tires are tread worn or not in- flated properly. When there is heavy rain, it always  makes sense to drive more slowly. If your vehicle  begins to lose traction, decrease your speed even  more. Good tires with deep tread help to prevent hydroplaning. Rain, fog or snow make it harder to see through  your windshield, and difficult for other drivers to  see you. New York State law requires you to turn  on your headlights when the weather conditions  require the use of windshield wipers to clear rain,  snow, sleet or fog. “Daytime lights” do not qualify as headlights. Headlights on high beams reflect rain, fog and  snow as it falls. This makes it even harder for you  to see. For better visibility during these weather  conditions, keep your headlights on low beam. Reduce your speed. Signal your turns further  ahead of time to give other drivers and roadway  users more warning. Brake early when you de- crease speed behind another vehicle or come to  an intersection stop. Some vehicles have front fog lights or front and  back fog lights, for use when heavy fog or similar  hazardous weather conditions restrict visibility.  In New York State, all fog lights must be correctly  installed and of a type approved by the Commis- sioner of DMV. Front fog lights can be amber or  white in color. Back fog lights must be red and  can be larger than the normal back lights – they  will give advance warning of the presence of your  vehicle to the drivers behind you. When visibility  improves, you can switch off your fog lights to  reduce the glare that can bother other drivers.  Winter is the most difficult season in which to  drive. In addition to snow and ice on the roads,  there are fewer hours of daylight. HOW TO DRIVE IN WINTER DRIVING IN RAIN, FOG OR SNOW