Should You Use Low Beam or High Beam for Nighttime Highway Driving?
2 Answers
When driving on highways at night, it is advisable to use high beams because highway speeds are high, and there is a need for extended visibility. In unlit environments with relatively empty roads at night, high beams are the correct method to ensure adequate sight distance. The use of headlights on highways depends on specific driving conditions. High beams can be used in areas without streetlights to expand the field of vision, but they should be switched to low beams when encountering oncoming traffic. High beams are suitable for nighttime highway driving because highways typically have central barriers that block the high beam glare, reducing the risk of blinding oncoming drivers. However, in urban areas, high beams should not be used as the lighting conditions are generally good. The high angle of high beams can easily dazzle oncoming drivers and pedestrians, impairing their vision and creating unsafe conditions. Moreover, using high beams in the city is considered impolite driving behavior.
When driving on highways at night, I usually insist on using high beams as the primary choice because they illuminate the road farther ahead, helping me detect obstacles, animals, or changes in curves in advance. At speeds exceeding 100 km/h, reaction time is extremely short, which significantly enhances safety. However, I must always pay attention to the surrounding traffic conditions—when oncoming headlights appear in the distance or there are vehicles ahead, I immediately switch to low beams to avoid dazzling the other drivers with strong light, which could cause accident risks. On highways, the speed is high and visibility is poor; using only low beams might make it hard to see the road conditions clearly, but blindly using high beams is also dangerous. I recommend developing the habit of switching beams, regularly checking if the headlights are functioning properly, and keeping the windshield clean. This way, nighttime driving becomes more reassuring and confident, reducing unexpected situations.
