What to Do When Oncoming Traffic Uses High Beams?
2 Answers
Sometimes drivers can get confused and forget to turn off their high beams. Frequently switching between high and low beams is normal, and the appropriate action is to flash your lights to remind the other driver to turn off their high beams. In addition to reminding the other driver to turn off their high beams, you should also do your part. When driving toward oncoming traffic, please turn off your high beams. Similarly, when driving behind another vehicle, also turn off your high beams.
When an oncoming vehicle has its high beams on, I first gently flash my low beams to remind them, which is like saying ‘Hey, you forgot to turn them off.’ If there’s no response, I slow down and move to the right, avoiding direct eye contact with the bright lights, focusing on the right-side road markings to steer clear of blind spots while staying calm and attentive. Once on a rural night drive, the other driver stubbornly kept their high beams on, so I chose to slowly pull over and wait for them to pass, later recording the license plate with my phone and reporting it via the traffic management app. Safety always comes first—don’t confront or retaliate against high beam users, as that only escalates the situation. In daily driving, high beams shorten visibility distance and increase accident rates. I recommend regularly checking your car’s light settings to avoid becoming the source of the problem. In community discussions, we emphasize a culture of civilized light usage to help everyone develop good habits.
