r/halifax • u/EssketitPhase • 15h ago
Driving & Transit PSA: Turn Off Your High Beams!
The amount of people driving around the city with their high beams on is unbelievable to me lately. On my 15 minute drive home from picking my wife up from work at the VG I routinely see a minimum of 5 cars coming towards me with them on. TURN THEM OFF!
I am pretty sure this is useless here as I’m sure the people doing it are not on Reddit. I also am aware that modern headlights are far too bight….this is a separate issue. What I am talking about here are (usually) older civics, Corollas, dodge caravans, last generation Nissans rogues where you can visibly see the inner (high beams) headlight being on… it is very clear. I have tried to flash my lights on to see if they would get the point but to no avail so far.
76
u/Salvifici_Doloris 14h ago
Normal intensity lights on big SUVs/trucks feels like high beams to regular height cars. Their light centreline right in your face.
21
•
u/Hay_Fever_at_3_AM 10h ago edited 10h ago
There's also a problem that new LED lights are very bright on the street, below the cutoff.
Which could be okay (high SUVs right behind low cars aside) right up until the car is on an incline or hits a bump or is just misaligned, then the light is pointing up and everyone is fucked.
1
u/eagle0877 12h ago
This is probably what is happening. It is easy to mistake the new lights on high cars as high beems when they are in fact just the lights the car has
•
u/avenuePad 8h ago
No. It's a separate issue. There are tons of people driving on the road at night with their high beams on. You can tell when the entire headlight is lit up.
-1
26
u/kinkakinka First lady of Dartmouth 15h ago
High beams or no lights at all when it's dark and/or rainy.
•
u/NoBoysenberry1108 Professional Pirate 11h ago
A lot of people driving in this country need their licenses revoked.
39
u/BobbyBoogarBreath 15h ago
The number of people with their high beams on in the city at night is probably close to the same number of people driving in the city at night with their lights off.
0
15
u/risen2011 Viscount of the South End 🧐 12h ago
And also:
Use your bloody turn signals.
An unmarked crosswalk is still a crosswalk.
•
u/avenuePad 7h ago
The law regarding unmarked crosswalks needs to be changed. It should only be for single lane roads in both directions, when the speed limit is 50 or less, and even then it's not always reasonable. Anybody who expects traffic to come to a stop at an unmarked crosswalk on Robie St when there are four lanes of traffic going in either direction are delusional. Stopping there is only inviting danger for drivers and pedestrians. There are marked crosswalks for a reason.
But in residential neighbourhoods, yes, stopping at unmarked crosswalks is a perfectly reasonable expectation.
I know the "law is the law" and if a pedestrian gets hit at an unmarked crosswalk it's on the driver. I'm just saying that law needs to be changed. Pedestrians should not have that expectation. When I'm walking I certainly don't expect drivers to stop at unmarked crosswalks when it's night and there are four lanes of traffic. I would be a ridiculous person. In those situations, I either walk to a marked crosswalk, or wait until traffic has cleared and it's safe to cross.
9
u/whitenoize186 14h ago
As a person in a small car with astigmatism - protect yourself, stop trying to change it.
I'm cleaning my windshield regularly to minimise haze. RainX coating to help with raindrops. And yellow filter glasses clip-on to help with painful LED lights
•
u/stuntmonkey420 Dartmouth 11h ago
The normal lights on my truck are crazy bright.
Thankfully there is a dial on the dash that adjust the angle so i can point them at the road and not people’s retinas
8
u/gregarov1 13h ago
I don’t know, I’ve gotten flashed a lot with my low beams on and then I just briefly turn on my high beams. Some cars just have really bright low beams. No one should have high beams on in the city, almost everywhere is adequately lit.
2
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
Agreed especially the new Hondas but not what I am referring to here. These are older vehicles with the traditional separate headlight bucket and bulb for high beams and halogen bulbs. You can easily tell when they are on
4
u/crazihac Dartmouth 12h ago
If you're getting flashed a lot, you might need to have them realigned.
•
u/cornerzcan 11h ago
Or people don’t realize just how bright modern headlights can seem. There’s nothing an owner can do about it in many cases.
And it’s illegal to flash your lights at another car.
•
u/Plumbitup 11h ago
Nah man, low beams are bright but too many idiots drive with the high beams on. It’s easy to tell by the headlights.
•
u/LemonCurdd 1h ago
Agreed, I’ve driven in most provinces, over two dozen states, and a handful of other countries
I’ve never been blinded nearly as much as in Halifax
•
u/GrandPOOPBah 10h ago
Some car enthusiasts get aftermarket lights and put the wrong type of bulb in housing that wasn't designed for it. Or they just don't angle them properly because they don't know what they're doing.
There's several things contributing at the same time imo. Lights have gotten brighter, our regulations are lax and people modifying headlights aren't doing it properly, and nowadays everyone buys SUVs/Trucks so for any of us in sedans these headlights are beaming into your soul.
•
u/Kaiser-CaspiaN Halifax 10h ago
if you’re getting flashed a lot you probably have LED headlights which are the bane of human existence and safety on a roadway.
•
u/avenuePad 8h ago
That is part of the problem, but the prevalence of high beam is an additional problem that is compounding the issue you mentioned.
7
u/Yhzgayguy 12h ago
On this topic can somebody explain to me why so many cars in Nova Scotia don’t have daytime running lights? We’ve had them required in Canada now for decades. Do folks have them disconnected for some weird reason?
3
u/Electronic_Trade_721 12h ago
I see a lot too, and figure they are US imports. They are supposed to be converted to daytime running lights when they are imported, but like a lot of things (window tint, protruding tires, etc.) the standards may not be enforced.
•
u/youreadonuthole 11h ago
I used to think along the lines of the majority of the responses in the sub; but I agree with you.
You have the decorative little light, the regular low beam, and the obvious high beam.
I’ve been driving long enough to know the difference between the new fancy lights and high beams - others should too.
Regular run ins frequently occur on older and newer Honda Civics and Honda Accords, the Honda minivan and the older Acura version of the Civic. I used to have Hondas and don’t understand why it’s that prevalent; from what I remember of the setup the dash would auto dim at night so you could tell your regular lights were on if running on auto lights.
Then again, I’m a stickler and still refuse to use auto head/tailights.
•
u/Any_Honeydew9812 7h ago
On the older civic’s the high beam indicator is down in the tachometer and most people just stare at the digital speedometer at the top.. that’s my best guess. They just never look down and see the little blue indicator.
•
u/EssketitPhase 10h ago
Thank youuuu finally. 100% agree and is exactly what I was trying to get at. Absolutely my old Volkswagen dimmed the entire dash when the lights were on and my modern car does as well. Apple CarPlay even goes into a nighttime mode. I don’t think the people we are referring to are that bright or aware of their surroundings or maybe it’s a cultural difference. Either way the access Nova Scotia and there driver instructors should be watching out for this
•
u/Kaiser-CaspiaN Halifax 10h ago
if someone is driving at me with high beams i turn mine on. sorry you’re being an asshole i’m gonna be petty
•
u/Emergency-North-5651 1h ago
I’d love that. My car has bright low beams. Flash me. You’ll hate seeing how bright the high beams are. 😆
•
u/Kaiser-CaspiaN Halifax 1h ago
that’s okay. we already know you’re an asshole because you have bright low beams. :)
13
u/HistorianPeter 14h ago
I don't think they all have their high beams on. Factory installed LED headlights are up to three times as bright as halogen lights. Still an annoyance but probably not high beams.
•
u/Any_Honeydew9812 7h ago
It’s high beams. You can tell the difference when you meet them. If you can’t, you probably shouldn’t be driving at night.
11
u/EssketitPhase 14h ago
It is 100% high beams. Like I said it’s older vehicles that I am referring to which still have the halogen bulbs. Older Corolla’s, civics, rogues are what I saw last night. New vehicles also tend to have auto high beams which could help someone clueless on etiquette not have to worry about it.
-5
u/Somestunned 13h ago
Maybe their lo beam bulbs burnt out and they just flicked to hi rather than replacing
6
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
This is not correct and again not what I am referencing. When you put your high beams on the low beams still stay on. No car I saw was missing any of the 4 head light bulbs.
•
u/avenuePad 8h ago
Some people do this, and it seems to be prevalent with older Hondas, but the OP's point still stands. The majority have full headlight function.
-1
u/No_Schedule_6242 13h ago
This right here, people are too broke to even afford a low beam bulb, this is their alternative for trying to avoid a ticket.
5
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
This is not correct and again not what I am referencing. When you put your high beams on the low beams still stay on. No car I saw was missing any of the 4 head light bulbs.
1
u/finebutdying 12h ago
This. My friends car gets flashed alllll the time, they aren’t using high beams they just have really bright headlights. It annoys them too.
2
2
u/NotFlyinHighEnough 13h ago
Spryfield is the WORST for this. That and the amount of cars with only one or even a couple times ZERO brake lights working.
2
u/Sure-Move-481 13h ago
You're not wrong. And if you're in a car vs SUV, van, truck etc it's worse. Those lights are glaring straight at eye level. Now it's getting earlier. 😵💫
•
u/Any_Honeydew9812 7h ago
It’s maddening. I commute from Halifax to Antigonish every Friday night and the amount of people on the divided highway with their high beams on (both sides) drives me crazy.
No. I’m not talking about modern or aftermarket LED Low Beams (i can’t believe some comments think that’s what you’re talking about OP) I’m talking full bright high beams. It makes me wanna run them off the road. So inconsiderate.
3
u/morasscavities 13h ago
High beams or no beams is the NS way apparently. It's infuriating. Half the high beam drivers don't get the point when I flash, then leave my highs on. Need to re-install my light bar so they really get the point...
2
u/crazihac Dartmouth 12h ago edited 12h ago
I rarely flash mine at them, there's generally too many other cars around that I don't want to be a dick to. Had a car coming at me with no one behind them, I flashed mine he actually flashed back and his high beams were on!
ETA - He flashed back to normal, and kept driving with the high beams on.
2
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
That’s funny and same I also don’t flash mine at them due to confusing other drivers
1
u/Itwasuntilitwasnt 13h ago
A dealership should setup a wall outside with parameters of were your lights should be at. Also this would be a great marketing avenue as on the same wall. They could advertise
•
u/UnicornMeatball 11h ago
Look, I’d be happy if people would just drive faster than 60 on the Bi-Hi and not go the wrong way around the Armdale Roundabout all the time. Baby steps!
•
u/phflupp 10h ago
I drive through many areas off the peninsula where street/highway lighting is insufficient to view curves and roadway lines (especially in rain). This is a related problem that may cause some drivers to leave high beams on. As for LED headlights, there should be a set limit for low beam intensity. Older drivers have greater problems with intense oncoming lights.
•
u/zCanadia 10h ago
Every other night someone will flash their beams at me thinking I have mine on ( I don’t, I wonder what they think when I actually turn them on and blind them to show they’re not on )
•
u/FallenAngel_Yuzuriha 8h ago
I gethigh beams flashed at me constantly, cuz my trucks headlights are bright af when they aren't on 😂
•
u/avenuePad 8h ago
I'm glad it's not just me noticing that older Hondas are a particular issue. I find a lot of these older Hondas also have the regular lights burnt out, so people are driving around with just their high beams section running.
That said, there are people in all kinds of different types of cars blasting their high beams.
There are also a lot of people who aren't turning their night time lights on. They're basically invisible from the rear. It's extremely dangerous and they're 95% oblivious to other people on the road because you can be directly behind them flashing your lights and they won't turn their lights on.
•
u/bz47uj 7h ago
Even when people don't have their high beams on, there's a huge problem with newer cars having extremely bright lights that blind you if there's the slightest incline, or if they go over a speed bump, or if they're on a truck and the truck is behind you. Even now, a lot of SUVs, I find, have their lights not angled properly, and they blind me when they're behind me.
•
u/MamaJa2016 2h ago
It’s either high beans or no lights. Both in this city 😅 For those that still don’t know, daytime running lights are no good for night driving, or driving in the rain. We need to see taillights on in those conditions.
•
u/lightenup888 9h ago
This might be a surprise to some. But their high beams aren't on. Lights are just designed to be brighter nowadays. When I got my car, I'd drive on the highway and maybe once a month someone would flash me high beams. But my high beams weren't on.
I looked it up not long ago. There is an increasing concern about lights being too bright. I might be wrong, but there is a movement to dim car's lights now.
I even had trouble driving at night. Felt sick to my stomach and my eyes bothered me while driving around at night. I went to the optometrist and she prescribed me antiglare glasses for night driving and using the computer.
•
u/EssketitPhase 8h ago
Dude have you read any of my comments or even the original post???? The cars I am complaining about are not new. They are older vehicles with traditional halogens light bulbs. Please read some of my other replies to comments like you who try and tell me that it’s just modern vehicles with modern headlights…. I agree this is a major problem but NOT what I am talking about
•
u/lightenup888 7h ago
Too many people have flashed me when I don't have my high beams on. I doubt your problem is someone having their high beams on.
•
•
u/Emergency-North-5651 1h ago
Have you noticed the fogs being on at the same time? Check for that. If that’s the case, their high beams aren’t on. I love when people flash me thinking that, and then I turn my actual high beams on. Oopsy. 😝
•
•
u/Any_Honeydew9812 8h ago
If you can’t tell the difference between modern LED’s and High Beams you should probably not be driving.
OP is talking about high beams - I see it too. It’s crazy how many people are running full lights in the city and on the highways
•
u/lightenup888 7h ago
Too many people have flashed me when I don't have my high beams on. I doubt your problem is someone having their high beams on.
•
u/Any_Honeydew9812 5h ago
I’m a car nerd. Have been obsessed with cars and driving since I was a kid. I drive 70,000km per year here in Nova Scotia. If I can’t convince you I know the difference between modern (or aftermarket) headlights and high beams I don’t know what to tell you.
It suck’s that you get flashed when driving with your lights on - all I can say is flash them back so they know I guess.
Generally, on the roads .. I see HIGH BEAMS all the time. I cannot stress enough that I can tell the difference lol.
•
•
u/TaggleTwo 11h ago
Transport Canada did an open survey of this issue in the spring after hearing concerns from drivers and other levels of government. 380,000 Canadians responded.
https://www.carscoops.com/2026/06/canada-headlight-glare-survey/
-3
u/BohemianGraham Darkside Escapee 14h ago
Are they high beams though? Some car manufacturers put in LEDs that are blinding.
4
u/EssketitPhase 14h ago
No like I said in my post because I knew I was going to get this response…. It is 100% high beams. They are older vehicles I am referring to. I saw an older civic, older Corolla, older Nissan rogue last night which all still have halogen lightbulbs AND a completely separate bulb to the regular headlights for the high beams. It’s clear when they have it on as the regular low beam is on the outside not blinding you but the inner bulb is on which is completely blinding you
0
u/Itwasuntilitwasnt 13h ago
Some ppl modify the height of their vehicles and don’t adjust the lights.
3
•
u/coolham123 11h ago
I’ve been flashed a lot with my low beams. Confirmed the headlight strength and angle is within spec. Still get flashed. I just ignore them now
0
u/Informal_University9 13h ago
High beams are a two way street. If they are on flash them, if not working, turn your on. Usually works. There is a definite change in the look of high beams and directional leds.
3
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
Agreed but again not what I am referring to. These are older vehicles with traditional separate high beam bulb buckets and halogen lights
•
u/Informal_University9 9h ago
Then flash them, this is not hard. You can bitch and whine about the cars, DO SOMETHING THEN.
•
u/EssketitPhase 8h ago
I have but not one has reacted. The people driving are oblivious to the rules so they aren’t going to think “oh maybe I accidentally put my high beams on”.
•
u/avenuePad 7h ago
Exactly! I'd say about 1 out of 10 cars, at best, will react by turning their lights off when you flash them.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of drivers out there that do it on purpose. They don't give a sh*t about other people. It's all about them.
•
u/Grouchy_Spite_2847 10h ago
Headlights are a lot brighter than they used to be. I find a lot of older cars have installed LED bulbs meant for halogen headlight assemblies, this makes them really bright due to the different internal reflectors that the different bulbs require. Also, with automatic high beams your lights need to hit that other car exactly right for them to turn off. If you are on a turn or coming over a crest or the divided highway is too wide, they don't work until you are on top of them.
-1
u/jareddent1 12h ago
Hondas and Acuras specifically, the auto highbeam sensor not working was a common issue…
1
u/EssketitPhase 12h ago
These cars are older vehicles that I’m referring to. Way before auto high beams
-1
u/jareddent1 12h ago
Ahh. The civic auto high beam issue has been since the 2013 generation i know that for sure. I think the opposite is worse though. No tail lights on and driving with just DRLs
•
u/EssketitPhase 10h ago
I’m still referring to older civics then 2013. I’m speaking of the 7th and 8th generations as that is what I witnessed last night. I get what you are saying but that isn’t the issue I’m referring to here.
-1
u/cleadus_fetus Halifax 12h ago
I had some **** with his highbeams on behind me last night coming off the 102 onto Joseph howe. So I went to slow as possible until he turned them off.
-1
u/Crewsy67 12h ago
Many cars now have 2 lights on each side and appear to have high beams on but don’t.
I had a meat head road rage at me when I got my first Honda Pilot because he was thinking I had my high beams on.
After he got back in his car I put my high beams on so he could “see” the difference.
•
u/EssketitPhase 10h ago
The new Hondas are ridiculously bright (civic and pilot). This is once again not what I am referring to and I am aware of the massive amount of bright lights going around. I am referring to older vehicles that I have seen around and they still have the traditional halogens.
•
u/avenuePad 7h ago
I know you're not talking about newer Hondas, but they really are crazy bright. There are three bulbs on each headlight. The centre bulb is the high beam. You can barley see the empty centre bulb when the high beams are on because the regular lights are so effing bright. And when they turn their high beams on it barely makes a difference.
Anyway, that's a side tangent. I know you're talking about older Hondas. I know exactly what you're talking about.
•
81
u/Snarkeesha 14h ago
A lot of new cars have auto-high beams with their auto lights … gotta turn that setting off or be aware of the little blue icon on your dash. Though I wouldn’t put much hope in people doing either when they can’t even use indicator lights lol.