Can You Use High Beams on the Highway?
2 Answers
High beams can be used when driving on the highway. Here are the relevant details: 1. Median barrier: Highways have median barriers separating lanes in opposite directions, virtually eliminating the possibility of oncoming traffic. Additionally, vehicles are spaced farther apart, making high beams relatively safer to use. 2. On regular roads: When driving on regular roads, it is correct for drivers to use low beams because speeds are much slower, and low beams provide sufficient visibility within 30 meters ahead. Using high beams indiscriminately on regular roads can be very dangerous.
I just finished a long highway trip, and high beams do help improve visibility, but only when there are no other cars around. Remember to switch back to low beams immediately when you see oncoming headlights or a car getting too close ahead—otherwise, the glare can blur their vision, potentially causing a rear-end collision or loss of control. Once, I forgot to dim my lights at night and blinded a sedan in front, which swerved violently and nearly rolled over, giving me a real scare. At highway speeds, accident risks double, so making this a habit is crucial. Also, check your bulbs regularly for aging to ensure adequate brightness, but avoid relying solely on auto mode—some systems are overly sensitive, others sluggish, so manual judgment is key. Be extra cautious in rain or fog, as high beams can amplify glare from reflections, making road signs harder to see.
