High beams or low beams?

For the past twenty years, new vehicles sold in Canada have come with automatic Daytime Running Lights (DRL). These headlights came on immediately once we started the vehicle and released the parking brake. It was a great idea that was started by the military and major bus companies. It allowed other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to see us sooner.

Years before this happened, our Young Drivers of Canada students and instructors manually turned on their low beam headlights. These lights were far brighter than the DRL and they also activated the rear lights. This made us more visible from front and behind.

But when should you use your high beam headlights? This driver thought it was okay to drive with their high beams on during the day. After all, who would it bother? Well, you can tell from the photo that their lights were somewhat intense through my rear view mirror. It was intense enough that I adjusted the mirror so I had the night vision set until they turned off the road.

This driver had their high beams on for quite awhile, so why didn’t they notice the blue warning light? Did they intend to have their high beams on because it was an overcast day? Whatever their reason, it wasn’t appropriate. High beams are needed on a dark, country road to allow the driver to see well enough ahead of them to make proper driving choices; not in the city with a driver immediately in front of them. I hope this driver reads this…