Is keeping high beams on illegal?

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.

Dimming your lights at these times isn’t just for safety purposes, either. According to Car and Driver, it’s actually illegal to have your high beams on within 500 feet of traffic, though there are some exceptions.

Your best option is to Try and get away from the inconsiderate driver. Slow down, make a right turn, or consider pulling over so the other driver can safely pass. If you’re on a highway, make sure you are in the right lane so you aren’t blocking their way.

Keep your beam use straight: low for lower speeds, suburban areas, and rain or fog. High for higher speeds and highways, but only when you can maintain at least 500 feet between your vehicle and the rest of us.

Many people avoid driving at night due to poor visibility. Since it can be hard to see the road at night, especially in dimly lit areas, drivers may often use their high beams in order to see the road better.

When you cannot see farther than 200 feet using low-beams, you should switch to high-beams, unless: Another vehicle is within 200 feet and approaching you from the opposite direction. You are less than 200 feet behind another vehicle. Heavy rain, fog, or snow are present.

What does it mean when the car behind me flashes their high beam headlights? Typically, it means that You are being inconsiderate and illegally driving below the speed limit in the fast lane.

Two flashes in succession by a driver behind you in the left lane indicates the driver intends to pass you and would prefer you yield the passing lane as the law requires. This goes for most states. Please don’t force drivers to try to overtake you in the right lane, it’s dangerous and frustrating due to that fact.

As stated above, a driver must dim his lights when: (1) approaching a vehicle within 500 feet; and, (2) when following a vehicle within 300 feet. It’s a defense, therefore, for the driver to show that he was not within the distances of either 500 feet or 300 feet.

If you want to ride with your high beam on during the day, you should check your state’s motor vehicle laws, as Some states may prohibit this. But if you feel safer riding with the high beam on during the day, even if it’s illegal, it’s probably worth the ticket to you if you get cited.

As full beam headlights are so strong, they may dazzle other road users. It is prohibited to use full beam headlights under the following circumstances: When oncoming vehicles are so close that the driver can be dazzled (also applies to trains, trailers and vessels).

Some people use high beam headlights in fog and rain, to ensure visibility. This should not be done as High beams emit powerful light which gets reflected by the water droplets in the fog(or rain) resulting in a sharp glare.

When to Turn Them Off: When cars are approaching you, including highways where the traffic is on the opposite side of the median. Don’t risk blinding or distracting oncoming traffic; turn your beams off until you’re sure no one is ahead of you.

The only color headlight that is legal to use in any state is white. This means that you cannot use any other color headlight.

Use of high beams is prohibited in city limits under section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act. First-time offenders are fined Rs 500 and repeat offenders Rs 1,000.