Intentionally shining high beams into other drivers eyes is NOT okay

[Sunuva]

As I was driving north on 35th this morning, I saw a car on the opposite side of the road stop in the lane with hazards on. I also saw a pedestrian trying to cross from that side of the road so I started to slow down intending to let the person cross. However, next, the car on the other side of the road started moving again into the center lane at an angle, which caused the pedestrian to get confused and go back to the curb, and also confused me because I had thought the car had stopped to let the person cross.

Next, the driver put his high beams on and it was clear then that he had purposefully moved to angle his car so the high beams would shine directly in my eyes! I was already slowing down with intention to stop, so this was completely unnecessary. Not to mention, dangerous!! That IS NOT an acceptable use of high beams.

To the other driver, if you keep doing that, you are going to eventually cause an accident. Knock it off! All you did was cause confusion and irritation because I was already in the process of stopping. Thankfully myself and the pedestrian figured out what you were doing and they were safely able to cross. However good intentioned, this was not acceptable. It is not YOUR job to force other drivers to stop for pedestrians by using your high beams in that way. Please learn how to drive safely and use your high beams for their intended purpose.

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[2 Much Whine]

Did you check to see if your headlights were on? The move that person made is exactly what I would do to make sure you were aware your headlights were off (if they were). Luckily you were not moving so your temporary blindness put nobody at risk.

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[Sunuva]

Hello 2 Much Whine, I get what you are asking, but no, he was not trying to warn me of my headlights being off. He brighted me for an extended period, not a friendly flash. It was clear he was trying to guard the pedestrian, but there was not a need to. Also, he did this as I was slowing down and he kept them on until I was stopped. I was already in the process so it was completely unnecessary.

It’s really not a big deal but it was something unexpected and unnecessary. It confused the pedestrian and myself. Even his hazard lights were pretty unnecessary. I get it, people on 35th think everyone is out to mow down pedestrians, but I’m very much on the side of pedestrians and always try to keep an eye out and stop for them. It would personally never occur to me to try to do what this other driver did, and it made me think it is something he’s done before and will eventually catch someone totally off guard and cause a worse problem. When you see a pedestrian, it is your responsibility to stop and let them cross. That is all that is necessary and the safest thing to do, IMO.

It was just very strange and added confusion and frustration to a situation where there should not have been any.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by Sunuva. Reason: grammar

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[Sunuva]

Also: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.37.230

“(2) Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in RCW 46.37.220(2) shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.”

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[gxnx]

I know why…while the vehicle is not moving, s/he was trying to put the makeup, a stroke of lipstick and accidentally hit the high beam bar.
Or s/he was trying to get a quick bite of the fat juicy donuts…and hit the button.

maybe you should flash the high beam back…

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[Author]

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