What are the regulations for using high beams at night?
3 Answers
The following are the relevant regulations for using high beams: 1. Situations where high beams should not be used: On roads without central isolation facilities or center lines, when meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, you should switch to low beams when the distance to the opposite vehicle is more than 150 meters away. When meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or narrow bridges, low beams should be used. When turning at traffic light intersections, always use low beams. When driving at night on roads without streetlights, poor lighting, or in conditions of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, vehicles should turn on headlights, position lights, and tail lights, but high beams should not be used when a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction. 2. Situations where it is recommended not to use high beams: When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, switch to low beams when the distance to the opposite vehicle is more than 150 meters away. When meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow roads or narrow bridges at night, use low beams. When a following vehicle is driving close to the vehicle in front in the same direction, use low beams. When driving on well-lit roads, use low beams.
I've been driving for several years and have all the regulations about using high beams at night memorized. Using high beams on dark rural roads really helps you see farther ahead, but the key is to switch back to low beams as soon as you see an oncoming vehicle – don't blind them. Last year I encountered a car that didn't switch in time and almost hit the guardrail, which was terrifying. Also, when there's a vehicle ahead, turn off high beams within 150 meters to avoid glare in their rearview mirror. On well-lit city streets with streetlights, basically don't use high beams – it wastes electricity and you might get fined. These rules are for everyone's safety, so develop good habits and check your lights regularly.
From a safety perspective, it's crucial to be vigilant about glare from headlights when driving at night. The rule is to switch to low beams when you spot an oncoming or preceding vehicle within 200 meters to avoid the risk of temporary blindness. Once when I was in the passenger seat, an oncoming car didn't dim its lights, and our driver had to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. Using high beams in well-lit areas is completely unnecessary and only increases the chance of accidents. Remember to frequently adjust your headlight settings, especially when turning or going up/down hills, to maintain spatial awareness. Following these practices can prevent 90% of nighttime collisions - details make the difference, and safety always comes first.
