Why do people take me driving with my high beams on personally?

Question

I literally drive with them on because I have night blindness. I’m not doing it to be an asshole to others on the road, yet people seem the need to be complete jerks to something that has no regards to them. Why do people think literally everything is a personal attack to them?

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

Well, I’d say the problem isn’t that I’m offended, but rather that I’M blinded now if the high beams aren’t cut off as the car approaches me, and I have no idea if I’m going straight or if I’m veering out of the lane. I don’t really care about inconvenience, but driving into a ravine is a little much, haha. When the high beams are behind me, it’s more about annoyance than danger, usually, but it does downgrade my ability to see when it’s shining in my eyes from the rearview and side mirrors, so it is a little dangerous.

I don’t really know much about night blindness…. is there a prescription you could get to help out? When my mom was alive she’d buy me all these goofy “As Seen On TV” products, and she got me these glasses for driving in the sun and another kind for driving at night. To be honest, they were godawful ugly, lmao, so they never made it out of the box for me. I don’t know if those would help you or if it would make the issue worse, but I just wonder if there’s some sort of lens that could maybe brighten your view? I don’t know, I went to college for a real long time, but I’m not an optometrist😂

loveslongnails · Accepted Answer

That's not really the issue here, girl. You put every other approaching driver in danger by blinding them, so that YOU can see at night! If you can't lower your beams long enough to let a car pass, or can't see well enough if you do, then you should consider not driving at night. Your personal "freedom" is putting a LOT of other people at risk.

Have you spoken with an ophthalmologist about how to improve your condition (nyctalopia)? Have you researched things will help improve your night driving? There are some electronic aids out now that might be useful as well.

People don't take it "personally" - the oncoming cars don't know you personally. The only thing they can assume is you're either forgetting they're on, you don't care and you're being an asshole, or you don't know the courtesy rules of the road that say
"Dim it, damn it". Sorry, but I can't back your "right" to drive with them on all the time because it's the only way YOU can see. It's YOUR responsibility to either figure out a way you can lower your beams to passing traffic, or stop driving at night.

Jasmine-Darkfire · Accepted Answer

I can't say it is personal but they blind other drivers. It is in your and everyone's best interest to not have someone blind right?

They talked about that in drivers education here, about how some people get blinded by another cars high beams and then they go into oncoming traffic and hit the car that had the high beams on cause they couldn't see them.

I would turn them off when passing others, but if your just on a multi lane divided highway, I don't see as a big issue, at least not coming straight on. Might annoy in mirrors but those can be adjusted.

WhatTheHeckkkk · Accepted Answer

I don’t know. I’m not sure why many people take that personally.
For me, I might get annoyed for a split second because I can’t see in certain angles, but it’s not a big deal unless I crash lol. Everyone seems to have a reason for driving with them on, and I just shrug it off.

Anonymous · Answer

Because as person with night blindness you should be responsible and self disciplined enough to accept that your actions are dangerous and give up driving at night.

Just like an 87 year old person that's been driving themselves for 70 years, I get the surrendering of your independence is a hard pill to swallow, but the accident you may cause by BLINDING someone to dangerous debris on the side of the road, that they then hit, causing them to lose control, crash, and possibly involve fatalities to themselves or others couldn't be proven as YOUR FAULT, but hey, as long a you can see...

Really? Personal attack? No, but certainly a sure sign that your self centered. It's all about you, isn't it? GTF off the road at night. You're a danger to other motorists.

You're just a bad as these morons with those ultra bright projector headlights and/or giant light bars, blasting white light bright enough to see a hair on a racoon's ass at 200 yards. It's all about your safety and ability to see, but nothing about the 500 other motorists coming headlong at you... blinded. The things should be outlawed... and so should you.. at night.

SMH

Red_Arrow · Answer

Driving with your high beams on blinds oncoming traffic. If you are in the city, it is for longer than a couple of seconds. On the highway, the speeds are much higher so a blinded driver could easily travel a farther distance in the same time and kill someone, including you. And that is just the people coming toward you. If you are behind someone, your brights will be shining in their eyes in the mirror. They will be blinded and have to adjust the mirror so that they cannot see what is happening behind them. Easy for them to change lanes right into you or someone else because they cannot see behind them. Again, your fault.
If your night blindness is so bad that you cannot see in the dark, then YOU are required by law to not be driving in the dark. Stop acting like you are so privileged and get off the road at night!

CrazyGirl2 · Answer

First, it doesn’t matter where you are, you cannot just drive around with the high beams on! It’s illegal, and it’s extremely dangerous! It not only blinds oncoming drivers, but everyone you drive past can loose their night vision for quite a while after you have passed. Therefore, second: if you have night blindness so bad that you MUST have your high beams on, then you have absolutely NO BUSINESS driving at night! You are a literal danger to every single driver on the road when you drive like that. I’m coming in to this after 91 OTHER people have commented, and I willing to bet that everyone else has already told you this.

dustybiker · Answer

I’m on a motorcycle, I produce even less light than any other vehicle. I still get flashed if the rare occasion happens that I forget to dim my high beam, and I do dim it until the vehicle passes, as it’s not only respectful it’s safer for me too.
When an oncoming car is heading in your direction their own headlights add to illuminate the road in front of you.
It’s common courtesy to share that light by turning yours down for 3-5 seconds, then flick them up when they have passed and nobody else is present. (If this mix is not enough light to see by you shouldn’t be driving at night)

If dimming your brights to approaching and behind other vehicles is a law, it must be a pretty big deal. I’m guessing it is law where you are or people wouldn’t be flashing you, they’d be blinding you too.

Prettygurl12 · Answer

Well it's generally very rude to do that. It's not the job of the general population to cater to your specific needs.

Obviously you have a medical reason behind it, but that's not the fault of the miscellaneous strangers on the road with you. To them, you're just the asshole who doesn't care if they go off the road because you've blinded them.

And since the vast majority of the population doesn't have the medical condition you have, part is the lot you've drawn in life is that people are going to be mad at you when you're driving at night so you just need to get over that and accept it or you'll be in for a pretty miserable time. 🤷🏼‍♀️

caring__1 · Answer

Unfortunately, your high beams can blind other drivers and, potentially, that can lead to accidents. For most areas, here are the legal guidelines:
If you are driving with your high-beam lights on, you must dim them at least 500 ft from any oncoming vehicle, so you don't blind the oncoming driver. You must use low-beam lights if you are within 200-300 ft of the vehicle you are following.

I understand this is helpful for you, but are you showing the consideration to others that you expect to receive from them? If you feel you are unsafe driving at night, maybe it would be better to hire an Uber or Lyft. Call your local law enforcement agency. Explain your situation and ask them what you can legally do.

Novacane · Answer

Because as you mentioned it helps you see better but driving with high beams is literally making driving harder for everyone else at the expense that you see better. High beams are not meant to be on just because it's dark, it is used when there is fog or when it's completely dark, and even then it's common courtesy to lower them when another car passes because a strong beam to someone's eyes can skew their vision. Of course, it's not a personal attack but now you are leaving them blind so it is personal because they can get in a accident because of you.

integrale77 · Answer

If you where caught in the UK with main beam on you would be hit with a fine.

Your putting other road users in danger as you will be dazzling oncoming drivers blinding them and could cause a crash. Anyone your following will also be getting dazzled through there mirrors not as serious but still bad!

If you are eyesight is too bad to drive at night you really shouldn't be driving without speaking to an optician about this problem they might be able to suggest some lenses that might help.

libsaretards · Answer

For one, it is illegal in most places to drive with high beams on in city limits unless weather conditions call for it. You are blinding others when you have such a bright light in their faces. If you cannot see at night, either get some better glasses or stay off the road at night. With uber, taxis and other alternatives there is no excuse to drive at night when you MUST have high beams to drive. Out in a rural area is different. Also most driving schools teach drivers that headlights on is NOT for the person driving but so others can see the car at night.

Finchie40 · Answer

Honestly you should turn them off if you see another car coming then put them back on , courtesy cuz you blinding everyone else lol

DaveJord · Answer

Because driving with your high beams on makes you a safety hazard to everyone else on the road... and it kind of makes you an asshole to expect everyone else to accommodated you, over their own personal safety. So yeah your are a complete self center sounding jerk.

Anonymous · Answer

Well, the only way they'd know you're driving with your high beams on is you're either behind them or driving toward them. In either case, you're shining a really bright light into their eyes while they're trying to drive, blinding them and putting their lives in danger. So that's a large reason of why they take it personally. In some places, like California, this is actually illegal. If you have night blindness, you shouldn't be driving at night at all. Both for your own safety and the safety of everyone you encounter on the road.

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

you’re causing them might blindness as well lmfao turn them off when you see a car coming and turn them back on when they pass

DARKCLOUD1945X · Answer

So because you cannot see now everyone can't see real great thinking on your part. YOU SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING AT ALL. i DO NOT CARE HOW OR WHY YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE DRIVING ANY DEATH CAUSE BY YOU SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MURDER YOU KNEW THAT YOU WERE BILINDING DRIVERS YET YOU THINK BECAUSE IT IS YOU, YOU CAN DO IT CAUSE ALL SORTS OF SHIT AND EXPLAIN IT AS NIGHT BLINDNESS AND YOUR SO CALLED NEEDS YOU CAN DO THIS. People take this personal because you are putting their lives in danger because of your so called need to drive at night. There is no way of saying driving at night with night blindness is ok for any reason. I pray that someone turns your ass in!

Subarugirl · Answer

Probably because its illegal to not dim them for oncoming traffic, and blinding oncoming traffic because you don’t want to dim your brights is dangerous and makes you the asshole.
If you can’t see well enough to drive in the dark with out following traffic then you shouldn’t be driving in the dark.

EmbraceThePain · Answer

Because I would wager most people do not know why you are driving with your high beams on.

Even if they did know, it can be irritating or annoying to drive coming towards someone with their high beams on.

whosnumber1 · Answer

ummm. because when you hit your highbeams the angle of light changes to directly aim into on coming traffic. it's a great way to initiate a head on collision with another driver. that's why they take it personally... because you are blinding them. and that's why you will notice people turn them off for you. 🤭

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

It's because you can cause an accident or multiple accidents by blinding other drivers while they're driving. You could seriously hurt or kill others on the road. If you can't see at night, then you shouldn't be driving at night. Period. Call an Uber or Lyft and stop being a driving menace.

slatyb · Answer

You are blinding the oncoming drivers and they are understandably angry. Your infirmity doesn't give you a pass to create an unsafe situation for others. If you cannot drive at night without high beam headlights, it is not safe for you to drive at night.

ReneD13 · Answer

High beams, are emit a brighter more powerful light. It's great for you because it allows you to see better, it's bad for oncoming drivers because it blinds them. The courteous thing to do, would be to simply turn your high beams off when you see a driver coming towards you, then turn them back on once they pass. That's the beauty of high beams is that they can be turned off without you losing all the light, then can quickly and easily be turned back on.

Elise888888 · Answer

lol because since humans don't communicate with words while driving, we take other cues as non-verbal communication. There is a "culture" to driving (for example; those who want to drive slower are expected to drive in the right lanes of the highway). I agree with you in that high beams may be seen as aggression even if it is not meant to be aggression

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Well in the UK it’s against the Highway Code and Laws RVLR regs 3, 24, & 2. Which basically means pulled over by the police.

If you had HGVs with xenon’s etc fitted and on full beam driving towards you on normal roads, you would very quickly realise why you don’t use full beam like you do. It is really irresponsible driving with them on full beam with other road users in front of you within the throw of the light.

TheorionMage · Answer

BECAUSE in sharing the roadway at night REQUIRES that the oncoming Driver is NOT unduly night-blinded so they DON'T drive into YOU like a moth to a porchlight, dumb ass!

This is NOT a 'video game'... THEY TOO are driving a ton+ 'bullet' and if THEY can no longer discern THEIR side of the roadway YOU'RE travelling, the likelihood of you 'meeting with EXTREME prejudice' is MASSIVELY increased.

beebella · Answer

If you have night blindness, then why are you driving at night? 🤨

jshm2 · Answer

Because you should not be on the fucking road, you maniac.

Hand in your driving licence before you kill someone and yourself. Never drive if your eyesight is not 100% If you get pulled over by the cops you're going to jail and losing that licence.

NopeWhatTime · Answer

As a pedestrian high beams are blinding and it's rude. I will have spots in my eyes for a long time after someone passes with their high beams on, which is dangerous next to a road. I know someone who also has night blindness, but they have a restriction on their license that they can't drive after dark. You shouldn't be driving if you can't see.

dmgstarfleet · Answer

because high beams blinds drivers in the other direction. All you are doing is passing your disability to others. If your high beams causes a driver to get in an accident you could be sued. You should not drive at night if you have night blindness. Will that be inconvenient for you? Undoubtedly! Fully blind people cannot drive at all-it would be ridiculous to even suggest it. Similarly, you should not drive at night.

Guido · Answer

Your a safety hazard to others on the road. Maybe you shouldn't be driving at night if you can't see properly. It's your problem not others. Stay off the road until you are medically fit to drive. Your physician should restrict your licence to daytime driving only.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I don’t know if anyone else here visited the Dominican Republic? The taxi drivers there (and others?) seem to play this variant of the chicken game, where they would both switch on their high beams while speeding towards each other with 100+ kph! Absolutely nuts! 🤯

AviatorTom · Answer

Driving with high beams on blinds oncoming drivers and can cause an accident. If you have night blindness, maybe you should be finding different transportation at night. Please start thinking of others and not just yourself.

jspl90 · Answer

... you are supposed to turn them off while there is passing traffic if you dont you can cause a accident and no its not a minor matter you do understand 2 seconds is a fucking long ass way at 100km/h that is 55 metres (via google) 55 metres driving blind you still think its only a minor matter?

ShadezMcgee · Answer

You should turn them down when oncoming cars are on the road. Those high beams get bright and can be blinding. Even more so when you get behind someone and then your lights are shining in their wing or rearview mirrors.

goaded · Answer

I know this question is weeks old, but you might like to invest in a car with this new system that detects other road users in order to make them visible and not dazzle them. They've just been approved for sale in the US.

demonics · Answer

"... be complete jerks to something that has no regards to them"  A women would post something like this and consider herself the victim. No different that this:

JoyGirl · Answer

So, I learned something today while driving with mine on.
When you are driving with your high beam, turn it off when a car is passing you. You can turn it back on after.
It is a great way to avoid people getting upset, and you still get to put it back on.

DarkWinterNights · Answer

Instead of using your high beams, get a set of fog lights and adjust them so they point low and to the right - off the road. It will help you see the line and also if something is on the side of the road like an animal. Also you should reduce your dash lighting to a very low setting. You can cover one of your eyes (carefully! It can mess with your depth perception) when a car with particularly bright lights is passing you to retain some of your dark vision.

Paul09 · Answer

Well because you blind other drivers vision. You can cause accidents. You can even get a ticket for having them on. They are supposed to be used when You are alone on the road in pitch black and turn them off when there on coming traffic, or so wine a head of you.

Anonymous · Answer

It does have regards to them though. People with brights "seem the need to be complete jerks" by trying to blind them. A lifted truck with low beams impaired our vision and caused my friend to crash between a bush and curb. Now imagine that with brights on.

Hypocritical to complain about blindness then purposely blinding others even worse. Please hire a driver or don't drive at night, you are a danger to the road.

wallflower_fantasy · Answer

You can get pulled over for that, by the way. I have trouble driving because of the lights (normal lights AND the BRIGHTS) it sounds like you might need glasses for driving. I do and it’s no problem but I might need a glare pair for myself. So go see an eye doctor for it you might need a pair.

Dchrls78104 · Answer

Sorry, but with night blindness you should drive only during the day, when you can see more clearly. According to the Highway Code in my country, driving with high beams at night can dazzle other drivers. This can lead to an accident. My country's Highway Code also says that you should dip your lights when meeting or following another vehicle.

exitseven · Answer

People do not like to be blinded by your high beams. They also do not know about your nightblindness. Maybe you should just not drive at night.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

Um because driving into oncoming traffic with high beams on can blind other drivers. You're not supposed to do that. Just use your normal headlights or don't drive at night.

UdontNeedtoknow · Answer

Really? Is this a serious question? If it is then you're a fool then and you should not be driving. Your bright's are blinding the oncoming traffic. That can cause them to loose control if there a bad driver and have a head on collision with you.
If you have "night blindness" then just stay home and ask daddy to take you to school.

Ironic_Method · Answer

Because high beams are blinding everyone else. They are meant to be used in areas with little to no lighting.

Get your normal lights replaced and stop putting other people in danger and wonder why they're upset.

Alyssa_11 · Answer

Because it blinds the fuck out of my eyes when I drive past someone with their high beam lights on. Just wear your glasses bro.

Anonymous · Answer

Are you nuts? It's not "taking it personally." It's a road hazard you are creating. You may be able to see, but they can't see. You're blinding them.  Ah, your account is closed. Good.

molonski2 · Answer

Thats illegal and extremely dangerous , just DONT DRIVE AT NIGHT.. You cannot drive this way again , crazy question quite frankly.

CallmeTheKnight · Answer

Firstly, you are being an inconsiderate asshole.
Secondly, you're not even supposed to be on the road if you have night blindness.
Thirdly, you can cause accidents.

You knew all of that from the get go

FilmGuy93 · Answer

This is just a guess, but I would have to think the problem is because they know you're blinding them with you headlights, but they don't know your reason for doing it.

MisterTee · Answer

I drive with them on for the same reason. I have trouble seeing at night and I feel like people get angry with me just because I need more light to see... as if I'm doing it on purpose. I also drive a big truck so people probably think I'm just trying to be an ass or something. 🙄

Apple1996 · Answer

That's a great way to cause accidents lol don't use your high beams unless you absolutely need to like on country roads with no lights around.

RawIronhide · Answer

Cuz it can really blind oncoming traffic. If you have any vision impairment you should do your best to accommodate but also. You be safe and fuck what they think tbh.

AncientWisdom · Answer

It blinds them my eyes are sensitive to light so high beams can get me. I bought a Denali it sets higher then most trucks so they don’t get me square in the eyeballs.

sunflower00 · Answer

Because you are blinding them…. that is so dangerous for others on the road, if you have trouble seeing then find a different method of transport instead of driving dangerously

fireforeffect · Answer

I was pulled over once by a Highway Patrolman for not dimming my lights as he approached from the other direction.
He asked me why I did not dim my lights when he signaled me to do so.
I explained to him that a few miles back, a deer ran in from of me across the road and scared the crap out of me. I decided at that time, that I would rather pay a ticket, than hit a deer.

msc545 · Answer

You are blinding them and making it more likely they will have an accident, and also breaking the law. If you have night blindness don't drive at night.

Browneye57 · Answer

Another moron woman driver. Dear lord.  Honey, if you can't drive then don't. PERIOD.

Redstang88 · Answer

Well doing that means you blind everyone else on the road. If you can’t see at night you probably shouldn’t be driving in it

Mangospacho · Answer

Well, you are causing oncoming drivers night blindness when they have to stare at your high beams to avoid a deadly collision. Also, if you have night blindness so bad that you can’t see under normal conditions, how is your license not restricted?

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Lol. You're supposed to turn them off when passing other cars. Didn't they ever tell you that?

Why do people take me driving with my high beams on personally?

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