When meeting or following a vehicle at night, at what distance should you turn off your high beams?

Turning off your high beams when meeting or following another vehicle at night is important for safety and courtesy. The correct distance to switch off your high beams is 500 feet. This practice helps to avoid blinding the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the driver in front of you, thus enhancing safety on the road for all users.

High beams provide greater visibility at night but can be very distracting and dangerous for other drivers if used improperly. The 500-foot rule ensures that you give sufficient notice to other drivers that an oncoming vehicle is approaching, allowing them to adjust their own headlights accordingly. This distance strikes a balance between maintaining visibility for yourself while not causing discomfort or temporary blindness to other drivers.