Can You Drive with High Beams on the Highway?
2 Answers
Driving on the highway with high beams is allowed. Highways have barriers separating lanes in opposite directions, so there is little chance of oncoming traffic, and the distance between vehicles is generally large, making it relatively safe to use high beams. Additionally, some sections of highways lack lighting facilities, and the bright light from high beams helps improve visibility of the road ahead. Using High Beams on the Highway: Highways typically have barriers in the middle that block high beams while eliminating the risk of oncoming traffic. Therefore, using high beams on the highway will not result in penalty points or fines. Situations Where High Beams Should Not Be Used on the Highway: When following another vehicle, to avoid affecting the driver ahead, you should turn off high beams and maintain a sufficient distance. When entering toll booths or service areas, reduce speed and switch off high beams. When preparing to overtake, turn off high beams and use the overtaking signal to alert the vehicle ahead. After completing the overtake, you may switch back to the original lane and resume using high beams. When passing through ramp intersections, turn off high beams—especially in continuous curves (where high beams are prohibited)—and reduce speed.
On highways, it is indeed permissible to use high beams, which I have personally experienced many times, especially when driving at night. High beams can expand the field of vision, allowing you to see road conditions and signs in the distance more clearly, thereby reducing the risk of sudden accidents. However, the key is to time it correctly. As soon as an oncoming vehicle approaches or there is a vehicle ahead, you must immediately switch to low beams. Otherwise, the dazzling glare can temporarily blind other drivers, causing momentary vision loss or misjudgment, which can easily lead to rear-end collisions or other accidents. I remember a few years ago during a night drive when I forgot to switch from high beams and was honked at by a driver behind me as a warning. Since then, I’ve developed the habit of glancing at the rearview mirror every few seconds to check the surrounding situation. On highways, speeds are high and reaction times are short, so following the rules is basic courtesy. I recommend that new drivers practice more with simulation training to get familiar with switching between high and low beams.
