Low Beams vs High Beams vs Fog Lights: When to Use Each!
There really is no excuse for blinding others with our headlights. Aside from being extremely dangerous if we temporarily impair the vision of other drivers and can even cause an accident, it is illegal (state-dependent) and unethical.
Low beams are ideal for normal driving conditions on roads with clear lines of sight. High beams are long-range lights helpful for nighttime conditions that require proper lighting in areas where low beams are inadequate. Fog lights are for adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow.
It’s therefore essential to know all the lights on our vehicles and how to use each one, for the sake of every road user. Keep reading to learn more about these different types of headlights and how to best use them!
Headlight Types & Why They Matter!
Headlights are typically positioned at the front of the car to illuminate the road ahead of us.
They provide the maximum amount of light possible to alert oncoming drivers!
Headlights are available in two modes, high and low.
High beams have more power and can project light to a distance of between 350 and 500 feet. This distance varies depending on the lighting system of our cars. To activate the high beams, you only need to push or pull the turn-signal device.
High beams project light upwards, and the light distribution is mainly concentrated in the middle, which produces a glare.
Even with auto-dimming lights, the high-beam mode needs to be manually switched on by the driver. However, in specific new models, the high beams function using a camera placed on the rearview mirror facing forward and a sensor.
The sensor can detect conditions with minimal light, and the camera keeps track of approaching vehicles.
High beams are mainly meant for use within short durations and only in poorly lit areas. Driving in high beam mode has a blinding effect on other drivers, which poses a safety risk.
It is mandatory to switch off the high beams in most states whenever the oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. It’s also prohibited to flash high beam lights within the same distance.
When to Switch to High Beams
We should only use high beams in select areas such as;
In low visibility conditions
Where there is no approaching traffic in both directions
On hills, junctions, and curves, since it’s not possible to tell if there’s an approaching vehicle
In remote areas with little or no light
Low Beams
Low beams are the most commonly used in any vehicle.
The low-beam mode gives off less light, up to a distance of between 200 and 300 feet. They project light down towards the road to minimize the effect on other drivers.
New car models now have auto-dimming lights, which can switch between modes upon detecting surroundings with low light levels.
When to Switch to Low Beams
Low beams are suitable for driving;
At night during normal weather conditions
In dimly lit areas such as indoor parking lots
Times when it’s hard to see other vehicles, such as before sunrise and sunset
During the day when it’s raining, sleeting, or snowing
Unlike what most of us think, in poor weather conditions such as fog, rain, or snow, low beam is the most appropriate light to use.
Water molecules tend to reflect light emitted by high beams. This makes it harder for you to have a clear line of sight of the road ahead. The water droplets make everything in front of you appear blurred.
