Do people realize that they are driving with their high beams on?

[CdTriX]

On the 403 from london driving back to oakville.

There was this hyundai sonata, looks like a newer model, 07-08 ish.. i passed him on the left side.. and then bam... i can't see anything in any of my mirrors... i was only 2-3 cars ahead of him too doing 110 km/h..

when you see the back of people's heads, that means your high beams are on...

my car was FULLY lit up on the inside from this guy's high beams...

i dropped back and he passed me.. drove with my high beams on, and he gave me the finger...

it could be fake hid glare from a reflector but it was blinding me... even the cut off of my HID is only just above the bumper of most cars.. but how can this guy clearly blind me?

some guy in another TL passed me on the left, and i wasn't blinded at all. blahhhhhhhh people and their high beams...

[Buggy166]

least you're on the highway...nothing worse than being at a red light with a nitwit that doesnt know how to properly drive a car behind you...in a 4x4 which is higher...with high beams on...on bloor...w...t...f

idiots.

[mkerian]

Seems to be happening more and more...nothing to do but try to pass them...

Once at a stoplight at night, I stopped next to a minivan driven by a mom, and I could tell her highbeams were on from the blue light indicator on the dash (and by the blazing light). I politely told her that her highbeams were on...her response was "it's night time, I need to see!" Complete ignorance...

[masterballer]

least you're on the highway...nothing worse than being at a red light with a nitwit that doesnt know how to properly drive a car behind you...in a 4x4 which is higher...with high beams on...on bloor...w...t...f

idiots.

I promised myself next time this happens to stick my head out my window and give them a few choice words...cant wait.

[mkerian]

I promised myself next time this happens to stick my head out my window and give them a few choice words...cant wait.

Now I have no problem with you doing this..but really would it do anything? Unless you back up your words, you can't do a damn thing...

[az9tu]

I hear ya. I drive back from work and it is only one lane on both sides with no divider. I run into many such drivers with high beams, it is totally blinding. Even indicating them from the opposite side that they have high beams, they do not bother to dim. It is really pathetic and should be taken care of.

[subagear]

...her response was "it's night time, I need to see!" Complete ignorance...

Should have told her to get her eyes checked. :mad:

[chadjustine]

Its becoming more and more common.

[ShadowVlican]

the farm animals don't seem to care either

[pmc]

When you "buy" your licenses you can do anything you want till a cop stops you.

It's worst when they use it on normal routes they blind everyone on coming also. :mad:

[masterballer]

Now I have no problem with you doing this..but really would it do anything? Unless you back up your words, you can't do a damn thing...

I was thinking more along the lines of "turn off your high beams you idiot!" ... i think that will keep the road rage in its cage

[originalnutta]

Welcome to the GTA.

[White Comet]

High beams being on, turn signals that never stops blinking...its so annoying man. Doesn't the clicking sound annoy them?

[Caffeine]

Some drivers need a course on how to use instrument panel (dashboard) in a car. Everyone should know what each light means. If you can't operate a vehicle safe - DON'T DRIVE IT! Driving and Having a Car is a Privilege, Not a Right!!!:mad:

[actng]

the worst ones are Lexus IS. they come from the factory with poorly aligned headlights.

[GangStarr]

High beams being on, turn signals that never stops blinking...its so annoying man. Doesn't the clicking sound annoy them?


Though I personally have never had a problem with this on cars I own. Some cars have REALLY crappy turn signal auto cancelers. I was in a rental seabring the other week and it really sucked trying to turn off the signals. Unless it was a perfect highway style lane change the damn things would just stay on. You'd either have to jolt the car a bit or flick the lights on and off.


I think top gear even mentioned this when reviewing a BMW (m5 if I am not mistaken).

The highbeam thing drives me crazy as well.

[number8888]

I hate people that use high beams for no good reason. They only think of themselves and are being selfish SOB. :mad:

On the flip side I also hate people that don't turn on their lights when driving at night. Bunch of idiots.

[zivan56]

the worst ones are Lexus IS. they come from the factory with poorly aligned headlights.

I doubt it. The ones with AFS are always auto leveling...so they are always at the right angle (non-adjustable). The regular ones are set lower than most cars, so lots of people put them higher and don't bother to check what level it is at.

I never notice people driving with high beams here. Usually, the problem is people forget to turn their lights on. There is the issue of higher trucks right behind me appearing to have high beams on, but that is due to the height difference.
I personally find high beams to be worse than my factor HIDs, which light up the road in front (compared to trees and buildings further away). I only use high beams about a couple times a year since the city is well lit anyways.

[techwiz]

Better than people driving at night without their lights on... or is it?

[cortez]

On the flip side I also hate people that don't turn on their lights when driving at night. Bunch of idiots.

This bothers me even more than high beams.

[lagos]

if you are not in a rush, this works most of the time:

1-go behind the car who has the high beams on
2-turn on high beams
3-wait until the car infront responds in some form
4-hope that they learn their lesson

[goJays]

Young Drivers Canada teaches u to do that when the sun is setting so that cars can see u through the strongest sunshine period.

Lots of suburban people drive with them too but generally switch them off as cars approach opposite to them.

These people realize they have them on.

[boyoflondon]

Better than people driving at night without their lights on... or is it?

This phenomenon I really can't understand.

I've seen quite a few geniuses drive without headlights. Each time I would pull up beside them, I noticed that their dashboard is not lit up. Like wtf? Are these people blind or they just can't put 2 and 2 together.

Not that highbeam people are any better. Is it that hard to see a BLUE ****ing light that's lit up on your dashboard?

[CdTriX]

i see people driving at night with their day times on... i flash them because i cannot freaking see them.. and i get flipped the bird....

just because you're too dumb to realize you are driving with no lights on doesn't mean i'm an ******* for high beaming you to turn them on!!!!

i was taught to have my lights on all the time, during the day/night/winter/rain/hell/parade/carmageddon... it's just a safety issue that people can see you..

people in the US complain soooooooooooooo hard when they have DRLs built into their cars...

ninja edit:then there are those people that replace their lights with a hyper white euro so they have a white and a yellow headlight and they don't know how to aim it so the white headlight is in your eye and the yellow one isnt

[KingC]

if you are not in a rush, this works most of the time:

1-go behind the car who has the high beams on
2-turn on high beams
3-wait until the car infront responds in some form
4-hope that they learn their lesson


Hmm... I don't think this is a good suggestion because you will blind the opposite car at the same time x2.

And I do see a lot of women driving with their BMW/Benz SUV or Toyota Corolla/Sienna with their highbeams on in Vancouver here..... wtf:mad:

[at1212b]

if you are not in a rush, this works most of the time:

1-go behind the car who has the high beams on
2-turn on high beams
3-wait until the car infront responds in some form
4-hope that they learn their lesson

I've seriously thought of doing this a couple of times regarding idiots that drive with their high beams on. But I'm wondering if a cop would pull you over for this?

[originalnutta]

I've seriously thought of doing this a couple of times regarding idiots that drive with their high beams on. But I'm wondering if a cop would pull you over for this?

A poster above mentioned he did the same thing, and the idiot driver flipped him off.

There's no real way of communicating that someone has their high beams on, or their lights off.

You can try, but you'll end up either getting a rude gesture, or complete ignorance.

Sometimes i feel like i'm living a Mike Judge world of Idiocracy.

[chadjustine]

I doubt it. The ones with AFS are always auto leveling...so they are always at the right angle (non-adjustable). The regular ones are set lower than most cars, so lots of people put them higher and don't bother to check what level it is at.

Its true. The Lexus is the perfect car with nary a problem.

[VorteC]

This phenomenon I really can't understand.

I've seen quite a few geniuses drive without headlights. Each time I would pull up beside them, I noticed that their dashboard is not lit up. Like wtf? Are these people blind or they just can't put 2 and 2 together.

Not that highbeam people are any better. Is it that hard to see a BLUE ****ing light that's lit up on your dashboard?

Alot of cars nowaday have backlit guages that are on all the time, and are backlit brighter during the daytime than the nighttime. This is because since its brighter during the day, the backlight must be brighter to be able to clearly see the numbers... and during night time, the backlight is dimmer to prevent eye strain. I guess for this reason, alot of people just assume that the brighter backlit = for night, hence assuming the daytime headlight mode is to be used at night.

I'm sure they see the blue light as well, but they probably just think its the indicator to tell you that your headlights are on, and that if there is no blue light, headlights aren't on.

[mangoman]

I swear Young Drivers is going to end up causing more accidents - these new drivers will probably forget that the high beams are on an hour later. These are probably the same drivers that are sitting 2 car lengths away from the stop line/sensor wondering why the traffic light hasn't changed to green for them or wondering why the car behind them almost rear-ended them when they abruptly stopped 2 car lengths away from the line when there was nobody in front of them.


Young Drivers Canada teaches u to do that when the sun is setting so that cars can see u through the strongest sunshine period.

Lots of suburban people drive with them too but generally switch them off as cars approach opposite to them.

These people realize they have them on.

[chadjustine]

I'm sure they see the blue light as well, but they probably just think its the indicator to tell you that your headlights are on, and that if there is no blue light, headlights aren't on.

*ding ding ding* We have a winner.

Thats EXACTLY the problem. I cant tell you how many people I have heard say that. "Well if the blue light isnt there, that means my lights arent on."

[rag]

I pull my rearview mirror down at night now, sick of people blinding me.

Being naturally UNcynical I wondered if some people have those 30% or more Extra Bright bulbs in that I see for sale at CT for example? Never understood how that could be legal, I mean if you put searchlight bulbs on your truck and used those it wouldn't be I assume, so why are you free to blind everyone else with a retail product?

[DaVibe]

I flash people if there lights are too bright. Or, I just hope that if everyone starts flashing them all the time, they'll figure out how to point their lights down when they try installing lights by themselves ...

[actng]

I doubt it. The ones with AFS are always auto leveling...so they are always at the right angle (non-adjustable). The regular ones are set lower than most cars, so lots of people put them higher and don't bother to check what level it is at.

I never notice people driving with high beams here. Usually, the problem is people forget to turn their lights on. There is the issue of higher trucks right behind me appearing to have high beams on, but that is due to the height difference.
I personally find high beams to be worse than my factor HIDs, which light up the road in front (compared to trees and buildings further away). I only use high beams about a couple times a year since the city is well lit anyways.

just cuz they have AFS doesn't mean they're at the "right" angle. it just means they're automatically adjusted to a pre-set angle, which can be too high.

your reasoning doesn't explain why every single IS i've come across blinds me and it's so bad it doesn't matter whether they're behind me or beside me or coming from the opposite direction.

they're just as bad as ricers who put HIDs in their reflective lenses.

[VorteC]

just cuz they have AFS doesn't mean they're at the "right" angle. it just means they're automatically adjusted to a pre-set angle, which can be too high.

your reasoning doesn't explain why every single IS i've come across blinds me and it's so bad it doesn't matter whether they're behind me or beside me or coming from the opposite direction.

they're just as bad as ricers who put HIDs in their reflective lenses.

The IS shouldn't be blinding you... no IS i've ever come across blinded me. The projectors on the IS are one of the best in the industry, with great light output but also with a really fine cut-off. Do you find other cars like the TSX/TL blinding as well? And no they're not as bad as ricey HID's.

[VorteC]

I pull my rearview mirror down at night now, sick of people blinding me.

Being naturally UNcynical I wondered if some people have those 30% or more Extra Bright bulbs in that I see for sale at CT for example? Never understood how that could be legal, I mean if you put searchlight bulbs on your truck and used those it wouldn't be I assume, so why are you free to blind everyone else with a retail product?

Those products don't ACTUALLY offer "brighter" light ouput, they all claim to. The products they carry, like the Silverstars or Nighthawks pretty much offer a whiter output compared to that ugly OEM yellow. Whiter may seem alot brighter but it's not. I've bought $100 PIAA bulbs that claim to have double the output and brighter this more powerful that but they aren't any brighter, in fact the OEM yellows were brighter.

Keep in mind, a bulb can only draw as much power as the power supply system allows. A rally car's flood lights probably has another amp powering them because they're so powerful.

[mr_raider]

the worst ones are Lexus IS. they come from the factory with poorly aligned headlights.

Where the hell did you get that from? My low beams are perfectly aligned.

[Kellster]

Most drivers are completely oblivious to anybody other than themselves.

[CdTriX]

i've heard a lot about these "vehicle safety" check points... but i've actually never seen them..

the MTO goes around spotting old rust buckets and giving them tickets for not passing emissions and on the spot safety inspections...

what's wierd is.. when i drive around.. even having my highbeams on for like 1 minute to read the sign i get nervous that a cop pulls me over.

but these people with highbeams on all the time... aren't scared of the cops or has never been pulled over... maybe because i know the law and hwo to drive that i'm scared?

[bja68]

I flash people if there lights are too bright. Or, I just hope that if everyone starts flashing them all the time, they'll figure out how to point their lights down when they try installing lights by themselves ...

How do you flash them if they are behind you? :lol:

[ShadowVlican]

I'm sure they see the blue light as well, but they probably just think its the indicator to tell you that your headlights are on, and that if there is no blue light, headlights aren't on.

*ding ding ding* We have a winner.

Thats EXACTLY the problem. I cant tell you how many people I have heard say that. "Well if the blue light isnt there, that means my lights arent on."
:arrowu: THIS


How do you flash them if they are behind you? :lol:
gently and repeatedly tap the brakes?

[RabidRabbit]

This is definately on the list of things that drive me crazy, along with HID's in a reflector housing (same idea) as well as left lane campers. People need to pay more attention to what is going on.

[umop]

High beams being on, turn signals that never stops blinking...its so annoying man. Doesn't the clicking sound annoy them?

Either they're thinking about something else and just don't realize it, or their radio is turned up a bit too loud.

If I turn up the volume past a certain point (and to be honest, it's not even that loud), the clicking sound gets drowned out.

[a89aries]

my solution: Keep a small bag of something light and reflective in your car (small strips of aluminum foil?) and toss them out your window. The small reflective pieces combined with the bright lights make one crazy light show!

[Buggy166]

This phenomenon I really can't understand.

I've seen quite a few geniuses drive without headlights. Each time I would pull up beside them, I noticed that their dashboard is not lit up. Like wtf? Are these people blind or they just can't put 2 and 2 together.

Not that highbeam people are any better. Is it that hard to see a BLUE ****ing light that's lit up on your dashboard?

ive done that twice by mistake. my dashboard lights up though, moreso than when the lights are on so i just left the parking lot talking about soething random with a friend and the lights werent on. had a few people beep me when they went by and i noticed what i forgot.

usually though people are nice enough to let you know even if you "think" you have them on. happens at times.

[bja68]

my solution: Keep a small bag of something light and reflective in your car (small strips of aluminum foil?) and toss them out your window. The small reflective pieces combined with the bright lights make one crazy light show!

or better yet put a huge mirror at the back of your car and the idiots get a piece of their own medicine

[Mattones]

My trucks highbeams are REALLY bright. The girlfriend said i was all the way down the street and she was being blinded. I rarely use them besides on the back roads as if I did flip them on and a car was infront of me it wont be good.

When I was in a car i use to hate people with really bright HID's. Now with my truck I sit higher and it doesnt effect me plus all my mirrors have that green tinge to it.:D

[Flyer]

Now imagine a car with HID highbeams...

[SkylineR34X]

when i encounter oncoming traffic that refuses to turn off their high beam... i really started to miss my bi-xenon.

[Decius]

or better yet put a huge mirror at the back of your car and the idiots get a piece of their own medicine

Mirrored tinting, making your rear window a one way window.

Or even better, if you have a sunroof go buy one of those 15,000,000 candle power handheld spotlights and...well I think you know where I'm going with this :twisted:.

[actng]

The IS shouldn't be blinding you... no IS i've ever come across blinded me. The projectors on the IS are one of the best in the industry, with great light output but also with a really fine cut-off. Do you find other cars like the TSX/TL blinding as well? And no they're not as bad as ricey HID's.

yes only IS.
i specifically mentioned IS. none of the TLs, TSXs, or anything blind me. perhaps we are talking about different models IS. the ones I'm complaining about, don't appear to have projectors. i never really paid attention what type of headlights they have. i just know they are blinding and light up my entire passenger compartment - and i have 20% tint.

these are the previous generation IS... not the current ones.

[actng]

Where the hell did you get that from? My low beams are perfectly aligned.

from every single IS i've seen.
there hasn't been a single IS that did NOT blind me at night.
it frustrated me to the point where i had a conversation with an IS driver at the lights about his headlights and he had no idea what i was talking about "aligning his headlights"...

[Mattones]

Mirrored tinting, making your rear window a one way window.

Or even better, if you have a sunroof go buy one of those 15,000,000 candle power handheld spotlights and...well I think you know where I'm going with this :twisted:.

If I was crazy enough I would have my trucks tail gate open with a button and have a major stobe light start up when it fully goes down. Now that would be funny. although very dangerous.:twisted:

[zivan56]

just cuz they have AFS doesn't mean they're at the "right" angle. it just means they're automatically adjusted to a pre-set angle, which can be too high.

your reasoning doesn't explain why every single IS i've come across blinds me and it's so bad it doesn't matter whether they're behind me or beside me or coming from the opposite direction.

they're just as bad as ricers who put HIDs in their reflective lenses.

Yes, it does mean they are at the "right" angle...since it is adjusted based on the angle of the car specifically not to blind other drivers. Likewise, the left headlight is set lower, so it does not blind people when turning.

I haven't noticed a single IS that has this issue which affects me, even though I drive a sports sedan.
Chances are those are not original lights.

[actng]

Yes, it does mean they are at the "right" angle...since it is adjusted based on the angle of the car specifically not to blind other drivers. Likewise, the left headlight is set lower, so it does not blind people when turning.

I haven't noticed a single IS that has this issue which affects me, even though I drive a sports sedan.
Chances are those are not original lights.

how far back does AFS go?
i have a feeling it's not even available on the model/generation of IS i'm referring to.