Question: At a recent gathering, a friend related a story to me that really surprised me. He was traveling along a local road at night when a car came toward him with his high beams on. My friend flashed his high beams to ask him to switch to lows, but the car ignored him. So, my friend flashed them again, and again the car ignored him. After he passed, the car that was behind the “offender” made a U-turn and turned his flashers on. It was a patrolman. He did not give my friend a ticket, but said it was illegal in Minnesota to flash your high beams at oncoming cars. Can that possibly be right? If so, what are we supposed to do in that situation as some high beams, especially on some trucks, can be very blinding?
Answer: According to M.S.S. 169.61, if you are within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle, you must dim your lights. So, it would be “against the law” to put your high beams on, even if the oncoming vehicle has theirs on.
If an approaching vehicle is using its high beams, simply slow down and try not to look directly into the oncoming headlights – look toward the fog line (the white line near the shoulder) until the vehicle passes by or dims their lights. Be sure to watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye.
Do not attempt to retaliate against the other driver by keeping your high beams on or by flashing them. If you do, both of you may be blinded, making a bad situation worse.
The law also requires that drivers use low beams when following another vehicle at 200 feet or less. For glare caused by headlights from behind you, use a “day-night” mirror or re-adjust your regular mirror.
Take personal responsibility for your actions behind the wheel. If you want to be safer, always drive with your headlights on, but be careful of those bright lights and don’t forget to buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and of course, drive sober.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us) Twitter: MSPPIO_SOUTH