When I meet cars with their bright lights on, it really doesn’t affect my vision when there is a median on a four lane highway. The plus side of leaving the bright lights on would be for better night time vision, but then on the other side, law or no law, a person in the opposite lane could become angry because one didn’t dim for him. I thought I had heard once that as long as there is a median in between, one didn’t have to dim, but what is the law?
Answer: This is what Minnesota State Statute says: 169.61 COMPOSITE BEAM.
(a) When a motor vehicle is being operated on a highway or shoulder ADJACENT thereto during the times when lighted lamps on vehicles are required in this chapter, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations.
(b) When the driver of a vehicle approaches a vehicle within 1,000 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.
(c) When the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within 200 feet to the rear
So what this means is whether the road is a two-lane, or a divided road such as a four-lane separated by a median or other barrier, a person still needs to dim for oncoming traffic with 1,000 feet. This would also apply to traffic on frontage road according to the definitions of adjacent.
1. adjacent – nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space;
2. adjacent – having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching;
3. adjacent – near or close to but not necessarily touching;
If the lights are in someone’s eyes and they are on a highway, road, or shoulder they should dim. I understand your concern for you seeing more with you bright lights and although their bright lights may not bother you, it may be blinding for them to see a roadway hazard such as a deer or something else. So especially with your lights dimmed, continue to watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down. Be very aware in areas known to have a large deer population — where deer-crossing signs are posted; places where deer commonly cross roads; areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land; and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws in Minnesota, please send your questions to: Trooper Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Or reach me at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us