[harpoonalt]

Originally Posted by j_jimerino

Its hard to turn high beams on and off all the time while you're holding a beer.

Just leave 'em on low and you can smoke a cigarette too!

[jackmccullough]

I think the main explanation when you see someone who refuses to dim his high beams is that he's a jerk.

I also think you're more likely to see it in the winter because it's a little more of a pain to replace a burned-out bulb, so people often wind up running their high beams just because one of their low beams is burned out.

[harpoonalt]

I think it's a lot of things. Check out how many people you see talking on their cell phones while driving. They sit at lights when it's green, make lane changes without signals and generally just check out from driving ettiquette while running their yap about what happened on Grey's anatomy last night. They aren't even aware. Then you have the generally just clueless drivers who don't think there are any rules of the road, followed by the true jerks who just don't care. The new HID lights are a very bright, white light and can be mistaken for high beams, plus some people are more sensitive to night lighting. I flash my lights and most people dim their lights. I try to be an involved driver but even I forget to dim on occasion. I do feel bad when that happens though.

[GregW]

I suggest purchasing a set of light yellow, polarized if possible, driving/shooting glasses. They cut the glare dramatically yet still let you see ahead. Very useful $20 or so.

Changing the behavior of the high beam cell phone cretins is not going to happen.

[Hopes]

Great tip, Greg!

On my last trip, I noticed that the high beam issue is only on the interstates. It's not a problem on the other roads there.

[Dippylou]

Except that those glasses used at nighttime cut your vision and can be very hard to see something, or someone on the side of the road. Not worth the risk.

[Hopes]

Good point, Dippy!

[BraTTyVT]

Often the road can glare and look like everyone has high beams on.
Often pickups have some of a load or weak rear suspension (or cars) and it tilts their cars up making their low beams appear brighter.
I drive for a living and you don't wanna look at their lights, keep your eyes looking at the road in front of you and maybe even more at the shoulder till they pass.

People are very rude with their highbeams. They only worry about what they can see rather than who it bothers.