When is it appropriate to use high beams?
3 Answers
High beams can be used in the following situations: 1. Roads with no street lighting or poor illumination; 2. When overtaking another vehicle; 3. When navigating corners or curves; 4. When driving in conditions of low visibility such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail; 5. When needing to read road signs. The method to activate high beams is to push the light control lever outward. Their purpose is to enhance visibility and expand the field of view. Vehicle lights and their functions can be categorized as: 1. Headlights: Illuminate the road and objects ahead to ensure driving safety; 2. Width indicators: Show the vehicle's width to alert oncoming and following vehicles; 3. Fog lights: Make the vehicle more noticeable to oncoming and following traffic; 4. Turn signals: Alert nearby vehicles and pedestrians.
When I first got my driver's license, I was always wondering when to use the high beams. Simply put, it's when there are no other cars on the road, especially at night on highways or in rural areas where it's pitch black. For example, driving on a national road with few streetlights and no cars ahead, turning on the high beams can help you see farther and more clearly. But you must pay attention to oncoming traffic or switch back to low beams when there's a car in front of you. Otherwise, you might dazzle them, which is quite dangerous. Once, I accidentally left my high beams on towards another car and got flashed as a reminder, which made me understand the rules. Also, avoid using high beams in foggy or rainy weather as the reflection can make it harder to see. Overall, only use them when you're sure they won't interfere with others' vision—safety first.
After driving for over twenty years, I've found that the best use of high beams is in rural or countryside areas with poor lighting. Like last winter when I was on a long night drive with few cars on the road, the high beams illuminated over a hundred meters ahead, allowing me to spot curves or obstacles early. It's crucial to switch back to low beams when approaching urban areas or when other vehicles are nearby. I've also used high beams on dark country roads after rain to avoid hitting animals, but it requires focused attention to spot distant movements. Using high beams isn't about convenience—it's about improving visibility to prevent accidents. Forgetting to switch them off and blinding others could lead to conflicts or fines, so it's important to develop the habit of checking mirrors and adjusting accordingly.
