When is it appropriate to use high beams?

Using high beams is appropriate on poorly lit roads with no oncoming traffic because high beams significantly enhance your visibility. They illuminate a broader and farther area compared to low beams, allowing you to see potential hazards, pedestrians, animals, or road signs that might otherwise be hard to detect in darkness. The absence of oncoming traffic is crucial when using high beams since they can blind other drivers, creating a dangerous situation. Hence, using high beams in such conditions maximizes your visibility while ensuring the safety of other road users.

Other scenarios, such as heavy traffic, approaching intersections, or during daylight hours, are not suitable for high beams because they may lead to glare affecting other drivers or may not provide any advantage given the ambient light conditions. In contrast, poorly lit roads present a clear case where high beams can be beneficial without posing a risk to others.