Can You Not Use High Beams While Driving?

[Malcolm]

When driving, it's not that you can't use high beams, but rather that you should use them correctly. Generally, it's best not to use high beams when driving in the city because urban areas usually have good lighting conditions. Effects of High Beams During Oncoming Traffic: When encountering oncoming traffic at night, high beams can cause temporary blindness to the opposing driver. The duration of this blindness varies depending on the driver's own vision and the surrounding environment, but it typically lasts at least 2 seconds. During these two seconds, the driver is essentially driving with their eyes closed, significantly reducing their ability to observe pedestrians and vehicles around them. When High Beams Can Be Used: Alternately turning high beams on and off at night can serve as a substitute for honking to alert pedestrians and vehicles nearby, avoiding excessive noise. High beams can be used when driving on highways or in rural areas without streetlights to expand the field of vision. However, when encountering oncoming traffic, it's advisable to switch to low beams for safety and courtesy.