Is it possible to use high beams on highways?
2 Answers
It is necessary to use high beams when driving on highways at night. Here are the relevant details: 1. The illumination distance of a car's low beams is generally only about 40 meters. If driving at night on a highway at a speed of 100 km/h, the distance traveled per second is approximately 27 meters. This means that if low beams are used, once there is an abnormal situation ahead, the reaction time left for the driver is less than two seconds. The time required for a person to detect a target and perform an evasive maneuver is simply insufficient. High beams, on the other hand, have a much longer illumination range than low beams, reaching about 200 meters, which provides enough time to handle risks even if they occur. 2. Using high beams on highways may affect the vehicle in front, but most cars are equipped with anti-glare rearview mirrors, so the impact is generally minimal. Additionally, it is a considerate driving practice to temporarily switch to low beams when approaching a vehicle ahead.
I've had deep personal experience with using high beams on highways over my decade-plus career in long-distance hauling. On unlit highway sections at night, it's indeed appropriate to use high beams to get a clear view of the road conditions 100 meters ahead. However, you must remain vigilant - the instant your following distance shrinks to within 200 meters or when opposing traffic approaches, you must immediately switch to low beams. I remember one incident on the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway when a trailing vehicle followed too closely with high beams on, creating blinding white glare in my rearview mirrors that forced me to change lanes in alarm. High beams aren't forbidden, but knowing when to switch is crucial. Novice drivers should practice operating the light stalk until switching becomes second nature.
