When can you legally use your high beams while driving?

Using high beams while driving is primarily intended to enhance visibility on dark roads where there are no other vehicles present. The correct context for legally using your high beams is when there are no oncoming vehicles or no vehicles in front of you, as this maximizes your field of vision without blinding other drivers.

High beams are designed to provide a longer and broader beam of light, which can be exceptionally beneficial in rural or poorly lit areas where low visibility might pose a safety risk. However, using high beams inappropriately—such as when other vehicles are present—can significantly impair the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.

Driving in residential areas often means more frequent encounters with pedestrians and parked vehicles, making the use of high beams less appropriate. Similarly, using high beams in foggy conditions is discouraged since fog can reflect the light back at you, reducing visibility even further. Lastly, using high beams at night regardless of traffic does not take into account the safety of other drivers on the road and may result in dangerous driving situations. Therefore, the correct and safe practice is to use high beams only when it is safe to do so, specifically when there are no oncoming vehicles or cars in front.