The high-beam indicator light is one of the best-known illuminated symbols around a car's speedometer instruments. The light indicates whether the high beam is currently being used. In many situations, it is also right and important that the light shines like this. However, in some moments it is not allowed or not safe to leave the high beams on. What exactly do the respective situations look like and what else should you consider around the high beam and its indicator light?
The importance of the high beam indicator light
The exact design of the indicator light varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Essentially, however, they have agreed on a basic optics: The symbol for high beam glows blue and shows a light in which light rays point horizontally forward. In contrast, the lamp for the dipped beam is usually designed in the colour green and with light beams pointing downwards.
These two designs actually show aptly how the real luminaires go about their tasks. The high beam is built to illuminate the road and its surroundings over a much greater distance. The low beam, on the other hand, only illuminates a much closer area.
When should and may you use the high beam?
In short, the high beam should only be used when visibility conditions require it and when the environment actually allows it. To put it in more detail: The high beam is used, for example, on dark country roads without street lighting to get the necessary visibility for higher speeds.
The additional visibility is intended to make it possible to detect possible dangers such as wildlife crossing or other obstacles on the road at an earlier stage. Bad weather conditions can also be a reason for using high beams. This applies, for example, to fog, rain or snowfall. Here, however, it depends a lot on the respective situation. Thus, the light can also be reflected unpleasantly in dense fog and thus do more harm than good.
When should the high beam not be used?
In addition to the moments when the high beam can make a valuable contribution to road safety, there are also some moments when it can have the opposite effect. This is largely about other road users who can be dazzled.
Above all, oncoming traffic is unnecessarily dazzled by the high beam. This is not only annoying for other road users, it can also be really dangerous and, in the worst case, lead to an accident. Although underestimated by some, drivers driving in front of you can also be dazzled by the high beam over the rear-view mirrors. Therefore, in summary: The high beam should not and must not be used when a car is coming towards you or when it is driving too close to you. In addition, the high beam should not be used on illuminated roads. It is not needed there and it could also unnecessarily dazzle other motorists or pedestrians.
High beam indicator light Instructions
So what do you need to consider when using high beams? First of all, you should check the surroundings. Do the visibility conditions make it necessary to switch on the high beam? Are there no other road users nearby who could be dazzled with it? As soon as you are driving with high beams, you have to pay special attention to whether the situation changes. In other words, if oncoming traffic appears, for example, switch directly to the dipped headlights.
The most frequently asked questions about the high beam indicator light
Which indicator light does the high beam have?
The high beam usually has a blue indicator light in the form of a lamp, whose light rays point horizontally forward.
What is the color of the indicator light for the low beam?
For the low beam, car manufacturers usually rely on a green light in which the light rays point diagonally downwards.
Which indicator light is on in which light?
Usually, a green light is on when the low beam is on. In the case of the high beam, the manufacturers rely on a blue light.
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