When should a driver use low-beam headlights?

Using low-beam headlights in foggy, rainy, or snowy conditions is essential because these weather conditions can scatter light, creating glare that can significantly reduce visibility for both the driver and other road users. High-beam headlights, while providing more illumination, can reflect off water droplets or snowflakes, worsening visibility. Low-beams direct light closer to the road surface and reduce the potential for glare, making it safer to navigate through challenging weather conditions.

In contrast, using low beams during heavy traffic is not specifically necessary, as standard traffic regulations indicate when headlights should be used based on conditions rather than traffic density alone. While it is generally safe to use low beams during the day, this approach is not universally required or stated as a driving standard without acknowledging the context of visibility conditions. Driving in well-lit areas usually does not require the use of headlights at all, as street lights provide adequate visibility for drivers.