Has this ever happened to you? If so, you know how important it is to know when to use your high beams. Intense incident light is painful for the eyes and mentally unpleasant; You can`t see much for a few precious moments. And second, motor vehicle laws in most states require you to turn off your high beam and not flash your high beam within 500 feet of other vehicles. While high beams help protect you, they can also put other drivers at risk if you don`t use them properly. Every state has laws that require you to dim your high beams if there is a risk of dazzling other drivers. The exact distance varies from state to state, but in general, high beams should not be used within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle or within 200 or 300 feet of another vehicle you are following. Low beams are most effective when driving up to 25 miles per hour. Use your high beams when driving in rural areas and on open highways away from urban and urban areas. If you are following another vehicle, leave your low beam lights on so as not to dazzle the driver in front of you. Using high beams in adverse weather conditions can cause glare and make them dangerous. And whenever your high beam might dazzle someone on or near the road, you should go back to low beams. In general, however, you should use the high beams at night, both in cities and on country roads, when other vehicles are not present and the weather is nice.
We`re here to, uh, shed light on when high beams should be used. Of course, they are perfect if you want to see more of the road at night. But when high beams need to be used involves more than that: There are several useful and proven rules for making better use of your vehicle`s lighting system. Follow them and you`ll be a safer driver, perhaps avoiding the wrath of other road users – and perhaps even avoiding a traffic violation by temporarily blinding drivers of oncoming cars. Although high beams provide more light than low beams, the light is strong enough to temporarily dazzle other drivers and pedestrians if not used properly. To prevent other drivers from being dazzled, all states have specific requirements that govern when you are allowed to use the high beams and when to submerge or turn them off (i.e. switch to low beams). However, if you`re on the highway or a secluded country road with no traffic within 500 feet, go ahead and blow up the high beams for better visibility.
Their extra range makes driving at higher speeds safer because you can see further. There is less chance of “skipping your lights”. But also be aware that your brightness can decrease and hinder the visibility of drivers in the cars you follow, because your brightness is reflected on their mirrors and in their eyes. So, when you catch up with the cars in front of you, dim your high beams as a courtesy. Headlights should be on when it snows, rains, snows or hails. Visibility on some highways or their entrances and exits can be poor. There may be long stretches of road lit only by your headlights. In poor visibility, use your high beams to increase your visibility. However, dim your high beams when you`re near other vehicles, even on shared highways. Check with your local DMV for the exact distance your condition needs. If you approach another vehicle from behind on a highway or at a toll booth or rest area, always dim your high beam so as not to dazzle the driver. Your vehicle`s headlights have two modes: low beam and high beam.
Low beam mode produces a less intense light that provides a night view of the road of about 200 to 300 feet or the approximate length of a football field. That may sound like a lot, but if you`re traveling at 60 miles per hour, it only takes 3.4 seconds to cover that distance. Your high beam, which is usually activated by pressing or pulling the turn signal, is stronger: you project light about 350 to 500 feet, depending on your lighting system specifications. NOTE: Fines for certain violations in road construction or maintenance zones will be doubled. So be smart and considerate. Keep your beam straight: low for lower speeds, suburban areas and rain or fog. High for higher speeds and highways, but only if you can keep at least 500 feet between your vehicle and the rest of us. And thank you very much for that.
If an approaching car is using its high beams, don`t look directly into the oncoming headlights – look to the right edge of your lane. Look at the car coming in the opposite direction out of the corner of your eye. Even in urban areas, roads can be dark and poorly visible. You can use the high beams to see further if you are driving in an urban area without street lights. Using high beams in these situations makes roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists on or near the road. On open country roads and highways, street lighting can be sparse, which can make driving after dark more dangerous. Its high beams allow you to see further down the road. In rural areas, high beams also help you avoid animals, cyclists or pedestrians during a late-night walk.
While country roads may seem deserted, you need to be prepared to quickly dim your high beams when approaching traffic or approaching another vehicle from behind. By lowering your high beams, you protect other drivers. Headlights must be illuminated whenever the light is insufficient or when it is directed by an official traffic control device. In general, high beams should not be used in the following areas: hazard lights should be used to warn other drivers or emergency services if you need to park on the side of the highway or get stuck in cold weather. High beams should not be used when driving in towns and villages unless the road has no lighting. The headlights should also be on if you can`t see more than 500 feet in front of you. If you are driving with the high beam on, you will need to reduce it to at least 500 feet of any oncoming vehicle so as not to dazzle the oncoming driver. Flashing your own lights used to be considered fair because of Florida`s free speech, but it`s a very general move that can confuse other drivers about what you want to tell them. In other states, you can be stopped if you flash your lights on another car or turn on your high beam when you shouldn`t, resulting in a hefty fine. Dimming your lights at these times isn`t just for safety. According to Car and Driver, it`s actually illegal to turn on your high beams within 500 feet of traffic, though there are a few exceptions.
C/D also reports that some states allow drivers to flash their lights when another car isn`t on or its brightness is on, making it difficult to view. Road maintenance vehicles such as bulldozers often move slowly on or off the road. They are usually painted orange. Be prepared to slow down or stop for them. If you see orange gear on the street, people often work on foot nearby. One or more lanes may be closed during the work. Orange signs warn you that you need to be prepared for people and slow equipment on the road. Signs tell you which lanes are closed. A row of orange cones shows you the blocked path.
Do not cross the tenon line. Sometimes a flashing arrow tells you to move left or right. Change lanes early and safely. Because you need to be able to stop away from your lights, high beams are often used when driving at more than 25 miles per hour in poor visibility conditions. If you`re driving at more than 25mph with low beam headlights, it may be too late to stop without hitting an object when you see it.