When can you use high beams?

Using high beams enhances your visibility in low-light situations, making it easier to see the road ahead. The appropriate time to activate high beams is on dark roads when there is no oncoming traffic. This is because high beams illuminate the road further and more brightly than low beams, which is advantageous on poorly lit roads but can dazzle other drivers if used when traffic is present.

In urban areas, streetlights typically provide adequate lighting; therefore, high beams are not necessary and might disrupt the visibility of others. During heavy rain, using high beams can actually create a glare from the raindrops, making it harder to see. Lastly, the requirement to be traveling over 60 mph is not a condition for using high beams; speed alone does not determine the appropriateness of using high beams. Instead, the focus should be on the surrounding traffic and the level of light in the environment.