Should You Use High Beams or Low Beams on the Highway at Night?
3 Answers
On the highway, use high beams, but switch to low beams when the distance to the vehicle in front is within 100 meters. Highway lighting selection: In normal weather conditions, fog lights should not be turned on, whether during the day or at night. Additionally, when meeting oncoming traffic on roads without a median, you should slow down at a distance of about 150 meters and switch from high beams to low beams. If the oncoming vehicle does not switch to low beams, the driver should slow down and use the method of alternating between high and low beams to signal the oncoming driver. If the oncoming driver still does not switch their lights, simply continue driving in your own lane. How to use the lights: To operate the lights, first ensure the vehicle is in the ignition-on state. The headlights, width lights, and other lights are controlled by the lighting control knob (or button) on the left side of the driver's seat. The turn signals are controlled by the lighting control lever on the left side of the steering wheel.
When driving on highways at night, I usually stick to low beams because there are many vehicles moving at high speeds on the road. Using high beams can instantly blind drivers in oncoming or preceding vehicles, potentially causing chain collisions. I remember one time I risked using high beams, and a truck ahead suddenly changed lanes—I almost crashed. That incident made me deeply realize that safety comes first. I now only briefly use high beams on completely empty, pitch-dark stretches of road and immediately switch back as soon as another vehicle appears. Developing the habit of checking light brightness, cleaning bulbs when they're obscured by dirt, and avoiding impatience in poor visibility—these small actions can significantly reduce risks and ensure everyone arrives safely.
From the perspective of driving regulations, it is best to use low beams on highways at night, which complies with traffic laws: high beams can only be used when the lights do not interfere with the safety of other vehicles. Most regions impose fines or penalty points for the misuse of high beams, which I understand is to reduce accidents caused by glare. In highway scenarios, high speeds and dense traffic increase the risks, making low beams the basic choice; under changing conditions such as rain or fog, regulations may be more lenient, but caution should still be prioritized for others' safety. It is advisable to regularly verify the compliance of your lights to avoid unintentional negligence causing trouble.
