Is it possible to use high beams on highways?
4 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.
From a regulatory perspective, using high beams on highways is permitted, but with strict limitations. Article 78 of the Road Traffic Safety Law clearly states: when the distance between vehicles in the same lane is less than 150 meters, the trailing vehicle must switch to low beams, and high beams must be turned off 500 meters in advance when meeting oncoming traffic. Misusing high beams in violation of regulations carries a fine of 200 yuan, and the dangers are even greater on highways. Last week's chain-reaction collision on the Jingha Expressway was caused by trailing vehicles using high beams, which obstructed the leading vehicles' visibility. Don't find it troublesome—switch beams when necessary, as safety is more important than anything else.
Driving on the highway at night as a beginner can indeed be nerve-wracking. When I first drove on the highway alone, the experienced driver in the passenger seat told me: when the blue indicator on the light control lever is lit, it means the high beams are on. Using them on unlit highway sections significantly improves visibility, but as soon as the taillights of the car ahead become clear or headlights reflect in the rearview mirror, you must quickly push the lever forward to switch to low beams. Now, I've developed the habit of glancing at the dashboard out of the corner of my eye—when the high beam icon lights up, I instinctively prepare to switch.
