Too Many Low Beam Headlights

Question: Would you research the legality of driving (especially at night) with more than two headlights on when on low beam? I drive truck at night and more and more people are driving with four lights on and calling them low beam lights. I am often blinded by oncoming traffic and these idiots WILL NOT turn them off !!!

Lighting Complaints are Common

Unfortunately, complaints about vehicle lighting are very common. In fact, they are among the most common that I receive through the web site.

Headlights: High and Low Beam

The Canadian government sets the standards for vehicle lighting in Technical Standards Document 108 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. These allow a maximum 2 low beam and 4 high beam headlights except for motorcycles which are only allowed one of each.

The BC government insures that vehicles are equipped and maintained as required by Schedule 108.

4.05   (1) A motor vehicle must be equipped with either one or 2 headlamps mounted on each side of the front of the vehicle and capable of displaying white light.

The Superintendent's Standards expand on 4.05:

i) not two or four on front as far apart as possible – low-beam devices are not most outboard light source (or uppermost if arranged vertically) on a four-lamp configuration

Likely a Fog Light Issue

What you are complaining about is likely low beam headlights and fog lamps being used simultaneously, which BC does not have a rule against. Occasionally it is someone with improperly installed driving lamps and these will blind you. Finally, many lamps are poorly maintained, either with clouded plastic lenses or improper aim.

Learn More

There are a number of columns here on the site that deal with each of these topics. I've written about fog lamps, driving lamps and headlight aim. Using the site search will also find other articles related to these topics.

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