Can You Turn on High Beams in Heavy Fog?
2 Answers
The reason why high beams should not be used in foggy weather: The light from high beams is directed upward and forward, and when it is reflected by the fog, it creates a blinding white wall in front of the vehicle. This not only fails to provide proper illumination but also severely obstructs the driver's vision and field of view. Additionally, when vehicles behind use high beams, it significantly impairs the front driver's ability to observe the rear situation. Therefore, high beams should not be used in foggy conditions. Here are some additional safety tips for driving in fog: Correctly turn on your lights. Use fog lights and position lights in light fog, and also turn on low beams and hazard warning lights in heavy fog. The reason why high beams should not be used in foggy weather: The light from high beams is directed upward and forward, and when it is reflected by the fog, it creates a blinding white wall in front of the vehicle. This not only fails to provide proper illumination but also severely obstructs the driver's vision and field of view. Additionally, when vehicles behind use high beams, it significantly impairs the front driver's ability to observe the rear situation. Therefore, high beams should not be used in foggy conditions.
As a driver with over 20 years of experience, I've driven in heavy fog many times. Turning on the high beams is absolutely asking for trouble—it reflects off the fog, creating a glaring wall of light that obscures visibility and blocks details of the road ahead. I learned this the hard way: once on a foggy highway, I turned on the high beams and felt like driving into a bright wall, nearly rear-ending the car in front. The correct approach is to turn off the high beams and switch to low beams or fog lights—low beams illuminate the road downward, reducing reflection, while fog lights, positioned lower, have less light scatter and can penetrate the fog. Driving in fog requires slow, steady speeds and maintaining a greater following distance. Ignoring proper light usage drastically increases risks, ranging from close calls to serious accidents. Check your vehicle's lighting manual beforehand—safety always comes first.