# An approaching vehicle has the high beams on. How do you respond? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500 "2013-10-17T17:24:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/41 "2013-10-17T22:24:11Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I read somewhere that gangs use this as an initiation and will kill the first driver who flashes their high beams at them I have heard the UL the opposite way: gangs “will” drive at night with _no_ headlights on, and kill you (for some reason) if you flash them. My answer is basically nothing. I drive a smaller car (compact I guess?). Everyone else drives a SUV, many with aftermarket lights, so half the time I’m puzzling whether their high beams are on or whether they are just particularly aimed towards my eyes. And many of the aftermarket ones have that particularly blinding bluish spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/42 "2013-10-17T22:32:16Z")
My night driving is limited almost entirely to well-lit areas where you could almost get away with no lights on at all–nobody uses high beams. But when I was a country kid I not only had the high beams, I also had an extra set of driving lights aimed a bit higher and more to the left than optimum for my own use. I’ve mellowed a lot since then. Now I just gaze off into the trees until the dipalong moves on. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/43 "2013-10-17T22:33:13Z")
Two staged approach, I blip the highs to remind the oncoming driver, 90% of the time that’s enough, if they don’t respond to a blip, then full high beams until they drop theirs ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/44 "2013-10-17T22:55:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Related question: What do you do when the driver behind you has his high beams on? You can, of course flip the rear view mirror to night mode, but I wish there was a way to let them know it’s annoying people in front of them. Especially when the person in front is me. Sometimes, I’ll try to angle my rear-view mirror so that their lights shine back at them. The odds of me getting the angle right are tiny, but it makes me feel better. > [@Macca26](#): > > I never knew there was something you were supposed to “do” about other people with high beams on. People have flashed their high beams at me from all directions without me doing anything wrong. No high beams of my own on, no turn signal left on, not going too slow, no flat tire, no light out, no cops nearby, no killer in my backseat, nada. So I assumed flashing them was just an asshole sort of thing. You may have brighter headlights than usual, or you headlights may be misaligned, or both. So people think you have your brights on. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if another car has its brights on, or if it just has bright lowbeams. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/45 "2013-10-18T00:41:48Z")
They might have been warning you of a speed trap. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/46 "2013-10-18T00:52:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > That’s what I was always taught to do. If you flash your brights at them you wind up with two blinded drivers heading towards each other. Not exactly a recipe for success. I used to turn off and on, but now my car’s headlights are always on when it’s running so I can’t do that. I give them the low-high-low. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/47 "2013-10-18T00:59:22Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > I read somewhere that gangs use this as an initiation and will kill the first driver who flashes their high beams at them Then they steal your kidneys. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/48 "2013-10-18T01:10:42Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Anybody here take formal driver training (I didn’t)? What is the official word from the official instructor in an official class? Look at the white line at the breakdown lane. Which is pretty much what kids are still taught according to [this quiz](http://quizlet.com/19891395/drivers-ed-nh-flash-cards/) about driver’s ed in NH > [@](#): > > Where do you look to avoid being blinded by high beams glaring in your face? > > The white line on the right edge of road. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/49 "2013-10-18T03:34:49Z")
If I’m a pedestrian, I run out of the way. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/50 "2013-10-18T04:42:34Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > To the OP: Other: I turn my headlights OFF briefly, then back on. That supposedly has a much lower risk of blinding the other driver. Me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/51 "2013-10-18T05:09:47Z")
I’d bet that the correlation between getting flashed for having your high beams on and being an asshole is _pri-teee_ high. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/52 "2013-10-18T05:37:12Z")
Seldom have back seat riders = low beam too high Heavy load in a pick-up = low beam too high Truck / SUV = low beam too high for low car Plain old miss aligned = low beam too high & on & on & on ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/53 "2013-10-18T05:52:02Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > Then they steal your kidneys. I heard that’s how Alice Cooper died in Vietnam. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/54 "2013-10-18T12:44:12Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > Then they steal your kidneys. Joke’s on them… I already _sold_ mine! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/55 "2013-10-18T16:17:25Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > I responded with the quick lo-hi-lo flash, but I have begun to avoid even that. I read that there are gangs that deliberately try to provoke such action from oncoming motorists and then proceed to shoot them. That seems excessive to me for trying to be polite so I just squint or look away. > > ETA: PSXer and I must read the same stuff! 🙂 Baa Haa Haaa… I just saw this thing circling the internet again. I first saw this CAUTIONARY WARNING passed around as an office memo OVER 20 YEARS AGO! I’m willing to risk that even if it is true; that someone in Roswell/Alpharetta, GA with their high beams on probably isn’t in the middle of a gang initiation. :rolleyes: I chose the flick the beams options. I don’t have anything to gain by being punitive to some jerk who doesn’t turn off their brights. Plus, I’m betting the reality of pulling out a spotlight, turning it on, and aiming it at someone is a little more of fantasy than a reality. I don’t see how there’s enough time. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/56 "2013-10-18T16:21:10Z")
> [@TimeWinder](#): > > To the OP: Other: I turn my headlights OFF briefly, then back on. That supposedly has a much lower risk of blinding the other driver. I wouldn’t be able to remember how to turn off my lights fast enough to do any good (or find the switch for that matter). My headlights are set to auto on/off. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/57 "2013-10-18T16:36:01Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > Seldom have back seat riders = low beam too high > Heavy load in a pick-up = low beam too high > Truck / SUV = low beam too high for low car > Plain old miss aligned = low beam too high > > & on & on & on Which is why, if someone flashes me and I’m already on low beams, I’ll flash them back to demonstrate that. [old fogey]I do like the stalk mounted high-beam adjuster. Much better than randomly stomping on the floor searching out the switch in the old model cars. [/of] ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/58 "2013-10-18T17:03:27Z")
If I am approaching a hill and see the glow of approaching high-beams, I’ll flick my own on and off quickly to alert the other driver that someone else is coming. Then, when they crest the hill and still haven’t dimmed their high-beams, waiting until they’re on top of me to do so (or wind up doing nothing), I think exceptionally evil thoughts about them and all their relations. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/59 "2013-10-18T17:12:50Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I have heard the UL the opposite way: gangs “will” drive at night with _no_ headlights on, and kill you (for some reason) if you flash them. Yes, the standard UL I’m familiar with is called “lights out,” and the gang member, for their initiation, will drive around with their lights out and kill the person who flashes their high beams at them. The other one at the same time, around here, was female gangs hiding out under cars in malls (in my neighborhood, it was Ford City, which was known for gang activity) and slashing ankles as some sort of gang initiation. It sounded every bit as stupid and unlikely as the “lights out” UL. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500/60 "2013-10-18T18:42:22Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Which is why, if someone flashes me and I’m already on low beams, I’ll flash them back to demonstrate that. > > [old fogey]I do like the stalk mounted high-beam adjuster. Much better than randomly stomping on the floor searching out the switch in the old model cars. [/of] I do that too & the approaching car over the hill thing. I grew up on stomping the floor type & only quit doing that in the last 10 years or so. I liked that way better for a long time. The starter under the foot feed, that I never did like. 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-approaching-vehicle-has-the-high-beams-on-how-do-you-respond/671500.md?page=4)