Driving with High Beams at night on the highway

[jcabin]

My favorite is the people who use extreme high watt lights that make the low beams unbearable.

[imperialism2024]

One obviously common reason would be that the greater rate of travel requires a longer visual range to maintain adequate reaction times. In other words if you're going faster the high beams make it easier to see farther when that 12 point jumps out into the road.

What highways do you drive that already have adequate lighting??

Oh, just checked, you're in Philadelphia; most of the rest of the state doesn't have lighted highways. We don't like bright lights everywhere because then you can't see the stars.

Agreed. At night, it's a good idea to use high beams by default, dimming to low beams only when there is oncoming traffic visible, or when you are relatively close behind another vehicle (I'd say 1000 feet or so). Why not use increased visibility if you have it? It's like carrying a 10-round magazine in your gun when you can carry a 15-rounder that's the same size (to make it gun-related). Remember, you should not out-drive your headlights, driving only as fast as you can still see the point at which your car would stop should you need to make a panic stop.

[ar15jules]

I hate driving at night. I rue the day when I get "old" and have a hard time seeing.
Jules

[The_War_Wagon]

The one that gets me, are the morons who drive around the CITY, on cloudless, full moon nights, even - under the thousands of city arc lights - and have their fog lights ON!

WTF?!?! What, are these MOUTH-BREATHERS thinking?!?!

When MY window's down, I'll yell at them - 'TURN OFF YOUR FOG LAMPS, DUMBASS! THE ONLY "FOG" OUT HERE, IS BETWEEN YOUR EARS...

Bob

[P-11 shooter]

Agreed. At night, it's a good idea to use high beams by default, dimming to low beams only when there is oncoming traffic visible, or when you are relatively close behind another vehicle (I'd say 1000 feet or so). Why not use increased visibility if you have it? It's like carrying a 10-round magazine in your gun when you can carry a 15-rounder that's the same size (to make it gun-related). Remember, you should not out-drive your headlights, driving only as fast as you can still see the point at which your car would stop should you need to make a panic stop.

Yes.

Common Man-Law against being a douche-bag.

Why do you need high-beans on the highway??

QFT.

10 Characters

One obviously common reason would be that the greater rate of travel requires a longer visual range to maintain adequate reaction times. In other words if you're going faster the high beams make it easier to see farther when that 12 point jumps out into the road.

What highways do you drive that already have adequate lighting??

Oh, just checked, you're in Philadelphia; most of the rest of the state doesn't have lighted highways. We don't like bright lights everywhere because then you can't see the stars.

Going to have to agree with you. I drive highways all the time and they're just as dark as any other road. With the increased speed the high beams also let you see hazards sooner and react faster.



I'd rather see that deer a second or two faster and have a better chance of advoiding it.

And trust me, I know a thing or two about animals in your headlights.

[LorDiego01]

One obviously common reason would be that the greater rate of travel requires a longer visual range to maintain adequate reaction times. In other words if you're going faster the high beams make it easier to see farther when that 12 point jumps out into the road.

What highways do you drive that already have adequate lighting??

Oh, just checked, you're in Philadelphia; most of the rest of the state doesn't have lighted highways. We don't like bright lights everywhere because then you can't see the stars.

How about this...

if you are driving on a road, and its so dangerous that you MUST turn your high-beams on too see if you are about to hit something...
how about you

SLOW THE F DOWN!!!!!

ALSO!
Isn't it worse to flash a deer with high-beams? Doesn't that make them freeze, or jump straight at you?? Isn't that the consensus?

[Poonie]

Where I live if you solely use low beams on the highway at night, you run the risk of making a ten point buck a hood ornament. I've had deer haul ass across the highway many a time and the quicker I can spot one, the better the chance that he makes it across alive and I can avoid having to dial 911 for the ambulance.

Common courtesy is that you don't use high beams when oncoming traffic is approaching and this holds true for me even on divided highways, unless the median is wide enough or high enough to block the light to approaching traffic. The deer threat around here is greatest this time of year when some animals are still rutting so I use them constantly while on the highway.

One time I was deer spotting on a back road and an approaching car wouldn't turn off his high beams, so I flashed mine and he still didn't turn his off. A quick flash of a quarter million candle power in his face from the lamp in my hand quickly persuaded him to knock them off. I admit to this being a stupid move now, but that was over 20 years ago when I was young and I thought it was funny then....

[P-11 shooter]

How about this...

if you are driving on a road, and its so dangerous that you MUST turn your high-beams on too see if you are about to hit something...
how about you

SLOW THE F DOWN!!!!!

ALSO!
Isn't it worse to flash a deer with high-beams? Doesn't that make them freeze, or jump straight at you?? Isn't that the consensus?

Nope. It's not about speed. You should use the best tool for the job whenever possible. The best tool for lighting up a dark road are your high beams.

[jerkin]

How exactly is this firearm related? This is what the lounge is for.

[LowCapacity]

The one that gets me, are the morons who drive around the CITY, on cloudless, full moon nights, even - under the thousands of city arc lights - and have their fog lights ON!

WTF?!?! What, are these MOUTH-BREATHERS thinking?!?!

When MY window's down, I'll yell at them - 'TURN OFF YOUR FOG LAMPS, DUMBASS! THE ONLY "FOG" OUT HERE, IS BETWEEN YOUR EARS...

Bob

A lot of "car guys" drive everywhere with the fog lights on for the cool looks and to be more noticeable to other car guys. I see this in the city all the time and I suppose they think its like an invitation to race.