Under what circumstances is the use of high beams prohibited?
3 Answers
When a following vehicle is driving closely behind a preceding vehicle in the same direction, the use of high beams is prohibited. Below are specific situations regarding the use of high beams: Use of high beams on poorly lit roads: On roads without street lighting or with poor lighting, high beams may be used. However, when encountering other vehicles or pedestrians, switch to low beams to avoid glare. When unfamiliar with the road conditions and needing to read road signs or other markers, high beams may be used but should be quickly switched back to low beams. Use of high beams under low visibility conditions: When driving at night on roads without street lighting, under poor lighting conditions, or in low visibility conditions such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, vehicles should turn on their headlights, clearance lights, and tail lights. However, when a following vehicle is driving closely behind a preceding vehicle in the same direction, the use of high beams is prohibited. During foggy conditions, vehicles should turn on their fog lights and hazard warning flashers. When entering a tunnel, high beams should be turned on, but when encountering oncoming vehicles, switch to low beams in advance.
I remember being extra careful when switching to high beams while driving, as there are certain situations where they absolutely shouldn't be used—otherwise, it could really cause trouble. For example, when there's an oncoming car, turning on my high beams would definitely blind the other driver, making it hard for them to see the road. If an accident happened, the responsibility would fall on me. Similarly, when following another car too closely, high beams shouldn't be used either—the light reflecting off their rearview mirror might dazzle the driver ahead, causing them to brake suddenly, which is extremely dangerous. In well-lit urban areas where streetlights provide ample illumination, using high beams is unnecessary—it just wastes electricity and distracts others. On rainy or foggy days, high beams create glare from the mist, making it even harder for me to see, almost like driving blind. In crowded places, like near schools or parks, shining high beams directly into pedestrians' eyes is both unethical and illegal—if caught by the police, a ticket is inevitable. I've experienced all these situations firsthand, so I've made it a habit to switch back to low beams early—safety always comes first.
When I first started learning to drive, I made this mistake. One night on the highway, the oncoming car kept flashing its lights, and I thought it was challenging me, so I stubbornly switched to high beams in response. The other driver honked frantically, and we almost collided. Only afterward did I realize they were just reminding me to switch my lights. Now I've learned my lesson: never use high beams when meeting another car to avoid dangerous flashing incidents. Another thing is following too closely, like in traffic jams—shining high beams on the car ahead makes the driver's back feel like it's burning, distracting and irritating them, while also increasing my own risk of rear-ending them. In city streets, where streetlights are as plentiful as stars, using high beams is just pointless, wasting energy and drawing dirty looks. In bad weather, like heavy rain or snow, high beams reflect off the water vapor, making road signs invisible and increasing the risk of skidding. These rules need to stick in your mind—driving isn't about showing off; it's about everyone's safety.
