When should you use your high beams while driving?

Using high beams is appropriate primarily when driving in clear weather conditions and when there are no oncoming vehicles to dazzle or distract. High beams provide increased visibility, which is particularly useful on rural roads or areas lacking street lighting, as they illuminate a wider area and enhance the driver's ability to see objects or obstacles at greater distances.

It’s crucial to switch to low beams when you encounter oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle closely, as using high beams in these situations can impair the vision of other drivers. The other scenarios mentioned, such as heavy rain or fog, and driving in residential or poorly lit urban areas, are situations where low beams are more effective for visibility and safety. High beams can create glare and reduce visibility in such weather conditions, while in congested urban environments, low beams are generally adequate and safer for navigating residential streets.