Should you use low beam or high beam when driving on the highway at night?

[DiEllie]

You should use high beam when driving on the highway at night. Because highway driving is fast and requires good visibility distance, high beam is the correct method to ensure visibility in relatively empty roads with no lighting at night. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. The use of headlights on highways depends on specific driving habits. 2. You can use high beam when driving in areas without street lights to expand the field of vision. 3. However, when encountering oncoming vehicles, you should switch to low beam for safety and courtesy. 4. When driving at low speeds, the engine's power generation is insufficient, and the battery is in a state of negative charge. Using high beam will affect its service life. In addition, using high beam when driving at low speeds at night will also increase the vehicle's fuel consumption.

[ClaytonAnn]

When driving on highways at night, I primarily use low beams to avoid dazzling other vehicles. On highways, the speed is high and reaction time is short. Once there are vehicles ahead or oncoming traffic, the strong light from high beams can momentarily blind other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. I often encounter foggy or rainy conditions when driving at night, and high beams make things worse by causing severe glare, making it hard to see the road clearly. In open stretches with no traffic, I briefly switch to high beams to expand my field of vision and confirm road conditions are safe. But as soon as I spot any vehicle lights or feel the distance is within 200 meters, I immediately switch back to low beams. Safety comes first—ensuring clear visibility for myself and others is key. Staying alert and adjusting lights as needed has helped me avoid many potential dangers.

[StLilliana]

As a new driver, I often practice driving on highways at night, mainly using low beams to avoid dazzling others. My instructor taught me that traffic rules require using low beams when the distance to the vehicle ahead is less than 150 meters; otherwise, you may be fined. High beams do provide better visibility on empty highways, but using them when there are oncoming or trailing vehicles can easily provoke complaints or even cause rear-end collisions. Once, I used high beams and nearly caused the driver ahead to brake suddenly because they couldn't see clearly. So now, I default to low beams as soon as I get on the highway, only briefly switching to high beams to scan the road when I'm sure there are no vehicles in sight, and immediately switching back when I see headlights. This way, it's safer and more worry-free, without affecting my own driving.

[VanTyler]

From an optical perspective, high beams have a longer range but cause strong glare, suitable for short-term use in open highway areas to enhance visibility; low beams offer shorter illumination but ensure safety without interference. I recommend prioritizing low beams at night, especially during oncoming traffic or on curves, to avoid reflection-induced accidents. On highways with high speeds and rapidly changing distances, high beams must be switched off within 150 meters of encountering another vehicle. Nighttime visibility is affected by weather—high beams reflect more severely in rain or fog, making low beams more reliable. This approach balances safety and illumination, minimizing risks.

[LeJoy]

According to traffic regulations, drivers must avoid using high beams when encountering oncoming vehicles at night to prevent blinding other drivers. On highways, I switch to low beams as soon as a vehicle approaches, otherwise, I risk violating traffic rules and receiving penalty points. High beams improve visibility on straight roads without traffic, but since highways often have heavy traffic, using low beams is more practical in most situations. During hazy weather, high beams perform even worse, so I refrain from using them entirely. When driving over 100 km/h, the field of vision narrows, making high beams riskier. Therefore, I consistently use low beams in traffic to ensure the safety of others.