when do you use the high beams when driving?

Question

for some reason my mother and I argue about this. i'll spare the details. what are the rules for when to use the far lights, versus the normal ones?

wait, maybe i ~should~ add details... what if you are on a somewhat sparsely populated highway, with ~some~ cars, and a concrete divider, four lanes on either side?

I tend to feel that if there are any cars at all one shouldn't use them. it's too inconvenient to keep dimming them back and forth every few seconds. but if there is a divider or meridian it's okay?

basically i hardly ever use them, because I think they're obnoxious. I always get really annoyed when someone behind me has them on. because you can fix it on the rear view mirror, but I see the glare in my side mirrors.

hopefully someone will come back and read this...

Answer 1

When it's dark and there's nobody close ahead of me going in the same direction or coming the other way.

Other than that, only for getting someone's attention.

Interestingly California DMV says bikes should always use them. In my experience a biker with high beam or a flashing headlight is treated with little courtesy whereas one who drives carefully with low beam looks like moses parting the red sea as everyone moves out of his way. I get to watch it every day in heavy traffic when the car pool lane is almost at a standstill.

Answer 2

For the most part, the guidelines is the same across the country, except maybe in FL where I learned a while back that their laws are a bit more strict.

Use the highbeems shortly after the sunset. But in Florida, I learned that the use of highbeem is recommended when it rains (I have not confirmed this though)

Answer 3

you should use high ones about 30-40 min after sunset and use the normal 5-10 min after sunset and use normal hen you meet a car and high when no cars are coming and use normal on well lighted highways and interstates

Answer 4

You should use your high beam lights approximately 30 minutes after sunset when there aren't any other drivers around and you're having a hard time seeing what's ahead of you.

Answer 5

use high beams when there is no one in front of you and if you are on a divided highway (with a grassy median). on roads w/o a median, don't use them when there is someone in front of you or when there is a car in the oncoming lane DO NOT USE THEM IN FOGGY WEATHER! it is nearly impossible to see more than 10 feet ahead of you

Answer 6

when you are on the open road ,for long distance viewing,but when somebody comes from the other way ,you have to dip them ,until they have gone past .
It is also polite to dip them when you come up close to a car in front ,so that the high beam wont be in their mirror and blinds them .when they check it

Answer 7

high beams= open stretches of road with no one in front
low beams=fog and city driving, and when there are people infront of you

Answer 8

dark lonely roads (no street lights) no oncoming cars,,click on off to pass a car,,,never in fog,,

Answer 9

Go for a [defensive driving course] than u know everything.or [smith driving course].

Answer 10

you should use your highbeams when you cant see really anything. bu tyou shouldnt use them when other drivers are around as it could partially blind them