High Beams at Night — What Does Arizona Law Say?

Anyone who has driven at night in Arizona has had the unpleasant experience of being blinded by an approaching vehicle with its bright lights on. It’s not just annoying — it’s dangerous and illegal.

What Arizona Law Says

Under A.R.S. § 28-942, a driver must dim their high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet and when following another vehicle within 200 feet. Failure to do so is a traffic violation.

High beams temporarily blind oncoming drivers, creating a dangerous window where they cannot see the road, pedestrians, cyclists, or obstacles. At 55 mph, a vehicle covers about 80 feet per second. Even a few seconds of blindness means traveling hundreds of feet without sight.

When High Beam Violations Cause Accidents

If a driver’s failure to dim their high beams caused or contributed to an accident — for example, by temporarily blinding you and causing you to miss a turn, veer off the road, or fail to see a hazard — that driver was negligent. The traffic violation supports a negligence per se claim.

What to Do If You’re Blinded

Don’t stare at the oncoming lights. Look toward the right edge of your lane and use the road markings as a guide until the vehicle passes. Slow down if needed. If you’re persistently blinded by a vehicle behind you, adjust your rearview mirror to its night setting.

If a high-beam incident leads to an accident, report the other driver’s failure to dim their lights to the responding officer. This should be documented in the police report.

The Law Badgers handle all types of nighttime driving accidents. Every detail of how the crash happened matters — and a simple headlight violation can be the key to proving your case.