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Originally Posted by nilanjanray Decent speed = safe speed in my book. Decent speed = speed at which one has adequate reaction time, visibility and control over the vehicle. Decent speed is not constant - it becomes low when vehicles are coming at you on high beam, and higher when you have an empty road ahead of you. No point in arguing semantics unless you know how the person drives and how he defines decent/safe speeds, right?
Slowing down everytime keeping low beam on (that is never switching on high beam) not a practical option on some of the highways. One will permanently crawl at 20 kmph since every 10 seconds there is someone coming with 2 or more 100/90 or higher spec lights on full blast. How long will even a 250 km journey take?
I never use high beam in the city even when facing high beams and spot lights within the city. I flash, if the other person doesn't respond, I don't bother and go on my way on low beam.
However, on our 'fantastic' highways (NH and SH), I feel that high beam offers more safety especially to people and animals on our roads when there is no oncoming traffic. And I am all for dipping as soon as I see another vehicle (basic driving 101 and etiquette). But one needs to protect ones visibility and choice of actions (e.g. move to the side/stop/accelerate) when people are coming at you at full blast oblivious to your multiple dipping requests.
Our highways are unpredictable. Given that almost all highways have no lights, what speed will you drive at on low beams to have plenty of time to avoid missing a dog/drunk suddenly trying to cross the road or 3 people wearing dark clothes walking side by side and then one meandering in the middle of the road suddenly? Of course, following another vehicle in the night makes things much easier - but sometimes that is not possible.
I want to all the time (visibility) I can get to take appropriate action. My reflexes are good, but I like all the reaction time I can get, given that I drive a heavy and tall vehicle. |
Nilanjan and others who are in favor of high beams because of numerous reasons given out e.g. sudden appearance of animals, human, potholes etc., opposite traffic on high beam and so on; I have explained that in all those cases high beam is of no help. as "Thad E Ginathom" also suggested a slower speed is of at most importance and of great help too.
1. animals and human can see your car even when car has only low beam on. so, no need of high beam to make yourself visible.
2. You will see animals and human even with low beam and if you are driving at right speed for your visibility, you will be able to stop before hitting them. (of course, provided, they are not on suicidal mission). so again, no need of high beams.
3. Opposite traffic on high beams so, you turn on your high beam or you keep it tunred on. How is this going to help you or opposite driver?, i fail to understand. (but then i never tried driving with highbeam in those conditions! so, might be useful if someone can bring more insight into the phenomenon.)
4. for all normal/practical driving purposes low beam(combined with fog lamps for potholes and for lighting up the roadsides, specially on indian roads) is enough. highbeams are only required to see signboards and high bushes and trees and you can only use highbeams when you are alone on the road.
I used high beams on german, so called, landstrassen(roughly translates to "country side roads") when i was alone on road because i wanted to see the road signs which tells/warns you about sharp turns, deer/animal crossings, no overtaking zones, speed limits, next city/village info etc. and these sign post are high, you see, so i needed high beam and because i would be travelling at like 80-100kmph so, i need to know all that well in advance.(and there weren't any potholes, untill unless well marked with signpost at least 100mts before!)
All in all, people come up with same excuses or reasons one after another but i personally don't see any convincing reasoning behind it. it's like over speeding, honking and overtaking in building primises, even at hospitals, library, parking lots and offices buildings; i do over speed(above 10kmph) because i am late or you are slow so I honk to overtake. none of them is valid reason to do any of these actions. but i had very hard time to explain that to some guys/gals and was still unable to get the massage through.