When should you use your high beams?

Using high beams is appropriate on dark roads with no oncoming traffic because they provide a brighter and wider field of vision, which can enhance your ability to see potential hazards, wildlife, or other obstacles that might not be visible with low beams. On poorly lit roads, these beams illuminate a greater distance ahead, significantly improving night time driving safety.

In contrast, using high beams on well-lit city roads can create glare that is counterproductive to safe driving, as the streetlights already provide sufficient illumination. Additionally, high beams should never be used when there is oncoming traffic, regardless of road conditions, as this can blind other drivers. Using high beams in heavy rain can also be detrimental, as they can reflect off the water droplets, reducing visibility rather than improving it. Therefore, the most suitable time to use high beams is when driving in dark conditions without other vehicles nearby.