Dipping headlights on very open roads

PDC

Have always turned off high beam lights as soon as I've been able to see the oncoming vehicle, its not like you can't see where you are going with your normal headlights, as someone who drives a lot on unlit roads. I always thought this was common sense.

Strider590

I hardly ever use main beam, the contrast is just too great, i'd rather let my eyes adjust, than to have a few seconds of pitch black when I have to switch back to headlights for an oncoming car.

redux

I dip as soon as I know there is an oncoming vehicle, even on sometimes seeing the beams before the car itself is actually in view.

If the speed limit is 40 mph, your stopping distance is fairly similar to what you can see in the dipped beams. If it's a lot less, maybe they are adjusted a bit low.

Some people just can't see as well in the dark, but that should not be turned into an excuse for dazzling other road users.

LandyAndy

globalds wrote: »

I would dip when I saw their headlights ..The headlights still work and I would slow down if I felt the need.

Far better if someone behind me is annoyed and has to slow down , rather than causing the driver in front and coming towards me to be blinded.

It is reducing your speed, not your main beam that will be the thing that reduces your chance of avoiding an animal straying in the road .

^^^ This ^^^


I also live in an area of open moorland with constant animal hazard.

James_N

shammyjack wrote: »

Excuse me but DID I NOT AGREE WITH YOU ?

I was reinforcing what you said. Sorry if that was;t clear.

Thanks

nonnatus

I would also have been cross with OP for continuing on at full beam when a car was approaching.

I dip as soon as I'm aware of a vehicle in front of me. Doesn't matter how far, it's making the other vehicle uncomfortable so it's common courtesy.

Being dazzled by main beams is awful and distracting.

bod1467

These days, even the dipped beam on some vehicles is high and bright ... looks like main beam of some vehicles from 20 years ago.

Joe_Horner

bod1467 wrote: »

These days, even the dipped beam on some vehicles is high and bright ... looks like main beam of some vehicles from 20 years ago.

Correctly adjusted dip beams are still at the angle they've always been. The problem is, an awful lot of cars out there don't have correctly adjusted dipped beams.

We have a road similar to that around here and it's not always necessary to dip immediately when you see them - they'll be dropping into a dip in a second or two and out of sight for another 1/4 mile.

What it is necessary to do is to dip (if you haven't already) at the point that the other driver dips because that's the point where he's feeling he should show consideration for your eyes and it's courteous to do the same.

Certainly, by the time he's "started flashing, a couple of times at first" he's telling you that he's getting uncomfortable and continuing on full beam at that point, and even after he starts "flashing furiously" is just plain wrong!

mcpitman

globalds wrote: »

I would dip when I saw their headlights ..The headlights still work and I would slow down if I felt the need.

Far better if someone behind me is annoyed and has to slow down , rather than causing the driver in front and coming towards me to be blinded.

It is reducing your speed, not your main beam that will be the thing that reduces your chance of avoiding an animal straying in the road .

Agree with the above, if dipped beam isn't enough light at 40mph, you need to slow down.

Also, I "dip" my lights when I am aware I will dazzle someone, regardless of distance (normally when you are driving towards each other).

For example, I am driving towards a left hand bend on "full beam", I can see the approaching cars headlights also on "full beam", before i round the corner I knock my lights off full beam.

Usually when I knock my lights off full beam, I follow this with a short flash of main beam, this is to make absolutely sure that the approaching vehicle is doing the same as me and paying attention to their own light settings. May sound weird but generally helps avoid dazzling in a "i've dipped my lights, would you mind awfully reciprocating for me please?" manner.

bod1467

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Absolutely this.