Flashing Your High Beams: Is It Illegal in Ontario?
Have you ever been driving at night and noticed that another driver didn’t have their headlights turned on? Have you ever flashed a driver or been flashed in an attempt to alert you of a police officer near by? These are all common occurrences when driving, but have you ever wondered whether these actions are legal? Read on to find out whether flashing your high beams is legal in Ontario.
The Purpose of High Beam Lights
High-beam or low-beam headlights are commonly used for safety reasons. For example, if it is extremely dark or you’re driving in a rural area, high-beam lights may be required. The use of high-beam lights are mainly intended to improve visibility in areas where an accident is imminent without the use of them. There are also times when the use of high-beam lights are discouraged. As these types of lights are extremely bright, they can either further obstruct your view under the wrong weather conditions, or they can obstruct the opposing driver’s view. In conditions like foggy weather, heavy rain, or heavy snowfall, it is best to use your fog headlights (if available) or your windshield wipers.
The Use of a Passing Beam
When vehicles are equipped with passing beams, there are also certain instances where they are specifically permitted. In regards to the use of passing beams, section 168 of the Highway Traffic Act “HTA”) states:
“When on a highway at any time when lighted lamps are required to be displayed on vehicles, the driver of a motor vehicle equipped with multiple beam headlamps shall use the lower or passing beam when, (a) approaching an oncoming vehicle within 150 metres; or (b) following another vehicle within 60 metres, except when in the act of overtaking and passings.”
Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990, c H.8
This section dictates what circumstances in which the use of passing beams may be used. If the conditions outlined here are not met, it is illegal to use your passing beam lights.
Is It Illegal To Flash Your High Beams?
As mentioned above, there are very specific times when the use of your high beam headlights are allowed. If those conditions are not present or met, it would be illegal to use your high beams. Section 169(1) of the HTA states:
“Despite section 168, high beam headlamps that produce alternating flashes of white light may be used by a public utility emergency vehicle while responding to an emergency and by an emergency vehicle as defined in subsection 144(1).”
Section 169(2) states:
“No person shall use high beam headlamps that produce alternating flashes of white light on any vehicle other than a vehicle referred to in subsection (1).”
This means that even if you’re trying to be a good samaritan by reminding a driver to turn on their lights, or you’re warning them of a police officer nearby, flashing your highbeams is illegal. The flashing of your highbeams would only be permissible to be used by a public utility emergency vehicle responding to an emergency. If you do flash your highbeams as a non-emergency vehicle and you are stopped by a police officer, you could receive a ticket.
The HTA is clear when it comes to flashing your highbeams. Unless you are driving an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, there is no reason for you to flash another driver. Aside from the risk of being ticketed, you could also be a danger to another driver and potentially cause an accident. Be sure to keep this in mind the next time you’re on the road.
Happy driving!
