Rural areas and country roads with few streetlights
When not to use your high-beam headlights
High beam headlights should be used at night, whenever you’re unable to see enough of the road ahead to drive safely.
Low visibility at night can be scary for even the most experienced drivers. Why is driving after dark more dangerous? 90 percent of a driver’s reactions depend on acute vision, including depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision, all of which become severely limited at night. High-beam headlights shine at an angle to illuminate the road 350 to 400 feet ahead or about twice as far as low beams. (Remember that 68 mph equals about 100 feet per second. When you travel at highway speeds at night, low beams may give you only a second or two to react to a hazard.)
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While high beams help keep you safe, they can also endanger other drivers if you use them incorrectly. All states have laws requiring you to dim your high-beam headlights whenever there is a risk of blinding other drivers. The exact distance varies from state to state, but typically, high beam headlights must not be used within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle or within 200 or 300 feet of another vehicle you’re following.
When to Use High-Beam Headlights to Stay Safe
State laws typically require you to dim high beams within 300 to 1000 feet of approaching vehicles
1
Low visibility in urban areas
You may find yourself driving on a dark city street, on an unfamiliar road, or in a construction zone. It’s unnerving to realize that you’re unable to see the road ahead. When your vision is impaired, slow down. If there are no other vehicles nearby, turn on your high beams. Your high beams will also protect pedestrians and bicyclists who may be on the side of the road or crossing in front of you. In urban areas, state law typically requires you to dim high beams within 300 to 1000 feet of approaching vehicles. You must also dim them within 200 to 300 feet of vehicles you’re following, especially at stop signs and traffic lights.
2
Interstate highways
Visibility on some interstate highways or their on- and off-ramps may be poor. There may be long stretches of road that are only illuminated by your headlights. In those low-visibility conditions, use your high-beam headlights to increase your viewing range. However, dim your high beams when you’re near other vehicles, even on divided highways. Check with your local DMV for the exact distance your state requires. When you’re approaching another vehicle from behind on an interstate highway or at a toll plaza or rest area, always dim your high beams to avoid blinding the driver.
Rural areas and country roads with few streetlights
On rural roads and open highways, street lighting may be sparse, which can make driving more treacherous after dark. Your high-beam headlights will let you see farther down the road. In rural areas, high beams also help you avoid hitting animals, bicyclists, or pedestrians taking a late-evening stroll. While country roads may appear deserted, be prepared to quickly dim your high beams for approaching traffic or when you approach another vehicle from behind. By dimming your high beams, you’ll be protecting other drivers.
When not to use your high-beam headlights
Don't use your high beams when driving in fog, rain, or snow
Never use your high-beam headlights while you are driving in fog, rain, or snow. In such conditions, they can make your vision even worse. High beams will shine directly into the fog or precipitation, which will reflect the bright light back to you. During snowstorms, snowflakes and ice crystals will reflect even more light back to you. The dangerous result is a wall of glare, which will make it even more difficult for you to see the road.
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You should only use your high-beam headlights when it's difficult to see and no one is front of you, you're at least 200 feet behind a vehicle and its back lights aren't illuminating the road enough for you to see, or you're at least 500 feet from oncoming traffic and need the high beams to see the road.
Contents. High beam headlights should be used at night, whenever you're unable to see enough of the road ahead to drive safely. Low visibility at night can be scary for even the most experienced drivers.
Use the high-beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles nearby. High-beams allow you to see twice as far as low-beams. Be sure to use high-beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas, or where there may be people along the side of the road. Use low-beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain.
If another vehicle's lights are too bright: Do not look directly into the oncoming headlights. Look toward the right edge of your lane. Watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye.
High-beams, or “brights,” are your best bet for increasing your visibility at night and in extremely heavy storms. In many states it's illegal to use your high-beams when you're within 150 feet of another car, whether they're in front of you on the road or coming toward you from the other direction.
Use fog lights if you have them. Never use your high-beam lights. Using high beam lights causes glare, making it more difficult for you to see what's ahead of you on the road. Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
High beams are meant for nighttime use in empty areas when no other vehicles or lighting is present. Because of their brightness, headlights should be switched to the low beam setting when an oncoming driver is within 150 metres.
In such a predicament, you might consider turning on your high beams, also known as "brights." In many cases, the high beams will still function, allowing you to safely navigate to the side of the road.
Avoid being blinded by high beams that hit you square in the face by looking down the right side of the road. Concentrate on the lane's edge or the painted edge line until the automobile passes. At hilltops, at curves, and crossroads, be mindful of oncoming vehicles' unexpected bursts of light.
The high beam headlight lighting function is normally activated in environments with no light such as the country roads with no street lights. High beams have a long-range focus (100 meters) and are sometimes referred to as 'brights' or 'full beams'.
In essence, high beams should only be used in situations where visibility is an issue. For example, driving on a rural road that has few streetlights or on a stretch of highway at night with no lighting. Though it may seem counterintuitive, you should not use high beams in extreme weather conditions.
Use fog lights if you have them. Never use your high-beam lights. Using high beam lights causes glare, making it more difficult for you to see what's ahead of you on the road. Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
High beams cast an intense light that can extend up to 400 feet directly in front of your car. This can blind oncoming traffic, so high beams should only be used in situations where they won't affect other drivers. Low beams cast a light that extends about 200 feet, with a less extreme glare.
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