Let’s talk about people who insist on driving around with their high beams on like they’re lighting the way for lost travelers.
Before you ask—no, this isn’t about those retina-searing LED headlights that make you feel like you just looked directly into an exploding supernova. That’s a rant for another day.
This column is about the special kind of oblivious driver who treats their brights like a permanent fixture.
It’s getting worse. A few years ago, you’d encounter the occasional bright-light buffoon, but now? Now it’s as if half the drivers on the road have collectively decided that dimming their headlights is a concept for lesser beings.
Somewhere along the way, we stopped considering other people. Blinkers? Optional. Four-way stops? A chaotic free-for-all. And now, in this era of automotive anarchy, we’ve reached the pinnacle of vehicular selfishness—people who act like they’re the main character and the rest of us are just struggling to see past their personal lighthouse.
Here’s a fun fact: it’s not about you.
Your high beams don’t just make you an inconsiderate nuisance, they turn you into an actual hazard. When you shine those high beams into oncoming traffic, you’re not helping anyone. You’re creating an army of temporarily blinded drivers who have to make split-second decisions with the visual acuity of a mole. Is that a pedestrian crossing the road, or just an unfortunate mailbox about to meet its end? Who knows, thanks to you!
Let’s review the original, intended purpose of high beams: they exist for use on dark, unpopulated roads so that you can see potential hazards. They were not designed for city streets, highway rush hour, or as a tool to assert dominance over fellow drivers.
To clarify, there are a few acceptable situations where high beams are warranted. Here’s a handy guide:
- You’re on a deserted backroad where the only other witnesses to your blinding brilliance are deer and the occasional confused raccoon.
- You need to confirm that, yes, those glowing eyes in the woods are watching you.
- You are starring in a horror movie, and the killer is inevitably about to appear in your rearview mirror.
- You are signaling the arrival of extraterrestrial visitors and need to ensure a proper landing.
- You are, in fact, the actual sun and need to maintain your reputation.
If your situation is not listed above, congratulations! You can and should turn your high beams off before you single-handedly cause a mass traffic panic.
Be a decent human. If you see another car, lower your lights. If you’re in a well-lit area, lower your lights. If you have even the slightest inkling that you’re making someone else’s drive miserable, lower your lights.
Otherwise, just know that while your brights may be shining, the rest of us know that the lights are on but nobody’s home.

B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.