# When am I supposed to used the highbeam? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 30, 2009, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416 "2009-06-30T00:17:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [June 30, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/41 "2009-06-30T17:17:52Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > I was taught this in drivers’ ed twenty years ago too. I do actually see it routinely used by truckers, but never drivers. I’ve seen the high-beams used by truckers to signal to a passing truck that it’s safe to return to the original lane (i.e. the ass of the passing truck has cleared the cab of the passed truck.) Then the passing truck would normally flash their cab lights on and off (or hazards) to signal “thank you.” I just thought of another use of high beams. I don’t see it quite that often anymore, but they are sometimes used to indicate by motorists in oncoming lanes that there are cops up ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/42 "2009-06-30T17:23:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve seen the high-beams used by truckers to signal to a passing truck that it’s safe to return to the original lane (i.e. the ass of the passing truck has cleared the cab of the passed truck.) Then the passing truck would normally flash their cab lights on and off (or hazards) to signal “thank you.” Yeah that’s how I’ve seen it too: Flash “I’m passing.” Flash “You’re clear.” Blink. “Thanks.” ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/43 "2009-06-30T17:52:42Z")
If you’re sitting in the fast lane in the UK, just sitting there taking up space, not overtaking, you will get flashed - once, twice, three times, it depends how long you sit there and how impatient the arsehole behind you is - but it’s not a legal use of the headlights. The only legal purpose in this country for flashing your headlights is to warn another vehicle of your presence. The Highway Code informs us that it is not acceptable to “flash your headlights in an attempt to intimidate other road users”, which is generally how it would be taken if you came up behind someone and flashed to make them move. Reactions would vary from passive-aggressive (like **amarone** ) to aggressive-aggressive (like Kenneth Noye - [Noye guilty of M25 'road rage' murder | UK news | The Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2000/apr/14/marktran1)). Me? Somewhere in the middle, obviously! ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/44 "2009-06-30T18:33:59Z")
My Virginia driver’s exam said you can properly use highbeams 200 feet from another car. I got that question wrong, because that seems too damned close. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/45 "2009-06-30T18:43:40Z")
There are rules and laws, but following the teachings of love others and realizing that some people are greatly effected by bright lights should provide enough guidance. In loosely general terms don’t use them if when they shine at others, but temper that with if you need them for temporary visibility for a reason (like to see a sign, but not as a counter attack against others). This is also a learning process, if you have a divided highway you may be able to use them if the oncoming lane is very far away due to a ultra wide medium, but if oncoming traffic flashes you, you know that it is causing problems for some drivers. Be respectful and responsible to your fellow man with them and IMHO you can’t lose. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/46 "2009-06-30T19:23:46Z")
A quick flash doesn’t bother me, though my favorite is when I’m already overtaking a lnog line of vehicles, and the nimrod decides to flash me…HELLO, where am I suposed to move to? That’s when I usually match speed with someone in the lane next to me. ---
**Author:** ![oboelady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8491ac/32.png) [@oboelady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oboelady)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/47 "2009-06-30T19:37:23Z")
[quote=“pulykamell, post:41, topic:501416”] I’ve seen the high-beams used by truckers to signal to a passing truck that it’s safe to return to the original lane (i.e. the ass of the passing truck has cleared the cab of the passed truck.) Then the passing truck would normally flash their cab lights on and off (or hazards) to signal “thank you.” Drivers of cars can signal trucks when it’s safe to cut back in front of them, too, although it’s only necessary if the truck overtaking you has another vehicle close behind him. A good truck driver will be looking to move back over as quickly as possible after passing you to allow traffic to continue to flow smoothly. It’s difficult to tell when the back end of the trailer is past you, so, if you signal the driver, he will know 1) he is safely past your car and 2) you aren’t going to suddenly speed up or do something stupid. I, personally, don’t flash the brights, though. I turn off my headlights (leaving the parking lights on) several times. The truck driver is staring in his mirror trying to judge if he is past your car yet. Even a quick flash of the brights goes directly in his eyes. Blinking your lights off and on is much safer, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/48 "2009-06-30T20:17:00Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > Yeah that’s how I’ve seen it too: Flash “I’m passing.” Flash “You’re clear.” Blink. “Thanks.” Me too. I know this was standard practice 30 years ago driving from San Antonio to Corpus Christi late one night. No one seemed the least offended. On two lane roads, when people flash me it tells me to slow down slightly to reduce the distance they need to pass. Safer for everyone. As for divided highways, if there are other cars around (even on the other side) and you are overdriving your lows you are driving too fast. Far better to slow down and not blind someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Dandibear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dandibear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandibear)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/49 "2009-06-30T20:27:28Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve seen the high-beams used by truckers to signal to a passing truck that it’s safe to return to the original lane … > > …but they are sometimes used to indicate by motorists in oncoming lanes that there are cops up ahead. These are the two socially acceptable uses of flashing one’s highbeams that I’ve ever encountered, too. Although the latter can get you ticketed if you’re caught, I believe. I routinely flash truckers (from my car) to let them in in heavy traffic or tricky merges, and always get the “thank you” flash in return. Flashing one’s high beams for any other reason around here (US Midwest) is an act of high aggression, worse even than tailgating. (I give people Moron Bonus Points for flashing their high beams while tailgating someone so closely that the front driver can’t even see their lights.) People simply pass on the right as needed. I don’t know that it’s safe but it’s what people do. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/50 "2009-06-30T20:39:07Z")
I don’t have a driver’s license and never have, and I even \*I \*know when you should (rural area with no other vehicles around) and shouldn’t (urban area, or in a rural area with another vehicle visible) use high beams. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/51 "2009-06-30T21:25:12Z")
“Bright lights save lives.” So, just put the high beams on and leave 'em on. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MarcinCiez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@MarcinCiez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcinCiez)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/52 "2009-06-30T23:24:01Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I like that you spell “busses” the same way I do. But, I don’t understand the point. Busses are just other vehicles; why would people think they must be treated specially (although, school busses have special no-passing rules that don’t involve right-of-way). Why would you spell busses any other way?! 😕 And ALL busses here (and I’m sure in Europe as well) have a sign on their back that says [“give way to busses”](http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8761/giveway.jpg) And it doesnt mention that its for exiting a bus stop only. So most people think that you have to give way to them all the time - which is incorrect (according to that show I spoke of). > [@Balthisar](#): > > Also, the high-beams usually have a “flash-to-pass” feature. I could look up the law here, but irrespective of the law, the “polite” thing to do when passing a vehicle on a two-lane road is to flash the vehicle you are passing, in order to let them know that you’re doing so. However so many Americans are downright dumb, many of them will think you’re being aggressive, and then show you a naughty finger-sign as you pass them. (Again according to that show) The highbeams should be turned on before passing, WHILE passing, and untill you pass… then turned down. This is (according to the show) for safety reasons so that you; warn the driver in front that you are there and while overtaking, be able to view potential oncomming traffic.. - makes sense to me. The temporary brlinding of the driver infront is minor, as the only thing they have to do is just not look in their rear/side mirrors for that small frame of time. AND to add another flash related thing- in Australia (QLD), you are not allowed to, and will be fined for, if you flash oncomming traffic to warn them that a speed trap is up ahead. I have always believed that it’s just a law the police made up so that they are able to book the speeding drivers - until recently I’ve heard that there’s no such law. The only thing they can fine you for is “using your high beams within the minimum allowed distance of oncoming traffic”. Sorry, at work, so I can’t spend times looking for cites. But there is ONE ---
**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:** [July 1, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/53 "2009-07-01T00:39:43Z")
> [@MarcinCiez](#): > > Why would you spell busses any other way?! 😕 Around here (US), “buses” is the usual plural of “bus” and “busses” is the plural of “buss.” “Busses” as the plural of “bus” is acceptable, but I’ve rarely seen it in American usage, if ever. It’s weird enough that it causes me a mental stutter when reading a passage. ---
**Author:** ![MarcinCiez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@MarcinCiez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcinCiez)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/54 "2009-07-01T01:24:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Around here (US), “buses” is the usual plural of “bus” and “busses” is the plural of “buss.” “Busses” as the plural of “bus” is acceptable, but I’ve rarely seen it in American usage, if ever. It’s weird enough that it causes me a mental stutter when reading a passage. Ahhhhhhhhhhh… should’ve guessed. (Another case of the destruction of proper english 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/55 "2009-07-01T03:49:07Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Yeah, what you say. **Snnipe 70E** , the flash-to-pass lights are on a momentary switch. It’s not the same as turning on the high beams. That’s why it’s “flash” and not “blind.” If the car in front of you can not tell that you are going to pass when you pull over the center line how are they going to tell you are going pass with a flash of lights? If I am on a two lane road and a car behind me crosses the center line I assume he is going to pass, I do not need to get a blinding flash to figure it out any more than you need a blinding flash when you change lanes back infront of me. Although you will get one to tell you that you passed me. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/56 "2009-07-01T03:50:32Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > No. No. No. > > You tell the slower vehicle “I am passing” with a single flash of the high beams, which should be available by pulling the turn indicator back towards you. If you do this more than once, in California, it means “Please follow me me to my house for a fist-fight!” Again I say why? Why be rude? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/57 "2009-07-01T03:55:04Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > (There are all kinds of good reasons this is safer than not. Maybe you’re about to turn left, but they don’t know that, because you’ve not turned on your turn signal at the legal distance. Of course, now that you know they’re going to pass, you might think about turning on your turn signal.) If the car infront can turn left then you are not susposto be passing. Regardless of flashing or not. I would like to have a flash camra to respond to the flash in my mirrors. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/58 "2009-07-01T04:04:35Z")
> [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](#): > > I was taught this in drivers’ ed twenty years ago too. I do actually see it routinely used by truckers, but never drivers. > > . When you see a trucker flash his llights he is not flashing froom low beam to high beam, he flashes them at night by turnning them off and then back on. Or day by turning them on then off. It usually means it is safe to change lanes back in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/59 "2009-07-01T04:16:50Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > There are rules and laws, but following the teachings of love others and realizing that some people are greatly effected by bright lights should provide enough guidance. > . > > Be respectful and responsible to your fellow man with them and IMHO you can’t lose. My wife gets migrains and I have had to take over driving because one too many person only thinging of them self had to flash their lights because they thought she could not figure out what they were going to do. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416/60 "2009-07-01T04:43:58Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > When you see a trucker flash his llights he is not flashing froom low beam to high beam, he flashes them at night by turnning them off and then back on. Or day by turning them on then off. It usually means it is safe to change lanes back in front of them. I’ve seen both high beam flashing and toggling the headlights by truckers to mean its safe to change back into the lane. [Wikipedia agrees:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_driver) > [@](#): > > While not slang, one form of unspoken communication between drivers is to flash headlights or high beams on or off to indicate that a passing truck has cleared the passed vehicle and may safely change lanes in front of the signaling vehicle. The passing driver may then flash the trailer or marker lights to indicate thanks. This signal is also sometimes used by other motorists to signal truck drivers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-am-i-supposed-to-used-the-highbeam/501416.md?page=4)