When to Use High Beam Headlights in a Car?
4 Answers
Detailed information on when to use high beam headlights in a car is as follows: 1. High beams should not be used in well-lit urban areas. 2. When overtaking at night, alternate between high and low beams to alert the vehicle ahead. 3. Do not use high beams when turning at an intersection controlled by traffic signals. 4. High beams should not be used when meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow bridges or roads without central barriers or center lines. 5. When meeting oncoming traffic on roads without central barriers or center lines, do not use high beams within 150 meters of the approaching vehicle.
After driving for ten years, I've noticed that many people don't understand when to use high beams. On national or provincial highways without streetlights, you should switch to high beams when visibility drops below 30 meters, but must immediately switch back to low beams when there's oncoming traffic. On highways, you can use high beams if the car ahead is more than 150 meters away, but remember to switch back before overtaking. Never use high beams in residential areas as they can blind elderly pedestrians and children. I've witnessed too many accidents caused by high beam misuse – the glare makes it impossible for drivers to see the road. Be extra cautious during rain or fog as high beams reflect off water particles creating a blinding whiteout, which is even more dangerous. Traffic police now directly penalize high beam misuse with point deductions and fines.
Novice drivers often struggle to distinguish between high and low beams. Simply put: you can only use high beams when there are no vehicles within 100 meters ahead, and you must switch to low beams as soon as you see taillights. High beams are strictly prohibited on urban roads with streetlights—last year, my colleague was dazzled by high beams and crashed into a guardrail. Before turning on mountain roads, always switch off high beams in advance to avoid suddenly appearing oncoming vehicles. Once while driving late at night on the highway, a reflective sign suddenly revealed a figure in the distance—only by promptly switching to low beams did I realize it was a broken-down vehicle. Modified headlights require extra caution, as some xenon lights without projectors can turn high beams into searchlights.
Driving schools teach the proper use of high beams, but practical operation requires attention to detail. You can use them on poorly lit rural roads, but must switch to low beams 200 meters before meeting another vehicle. Avoid using high beams when following a car, as they'll reflect in the rearview mirror the entire time. High beams are worse in fog - the light scatters diffusely on water droplets. Once during a late-night tow truck rescue, I encountered a driver who turned thick fog into a white wall with their high beams. Nowadays, with the popularity of smart headlights, the automatic switching feature is truly convenient. Remember to register any headlight modifications - illegal xenon lights can result in fines if discovered.
