højlys

Højlys is the Danish term for the high-beam setting of motor-vehicle headlights. It refers to the headlight pattern that illuminates farther down the road than the regular low-beam setting, aiding visibility on dark, rural routes. In everyday Danish, højlys is commonly used to describe high-beam use, while official traffic terminology often uses fjernlys for the same function.

High beams are designed to provide long-range illumination and are most effective when there is no oncoming traffic or preceding vehicles. They produce a brighter, more distant light cone than nærlys (low beams) but can cause glare for other road users. Proper use typically requires switching off or dimming højlys when meeting or following other vehicles.

Regulations governing højlys vary by country and region. In many places, drivers must switch to nærlys whenever there is oncoming traffic or a vehicle ahead within a certain distance, and high beams should be used only in clearly unlit conditions. Violations can carry penalties in some jurisdictions. Modern vehicles increasingly feature automatic high-beam systems that detect traffic and switch between højlys and nærlys without driver input.

Technical notes include that højlys generally rely on brighter lamps and a different beam pattern than nærlys. Advances in lighting technology have led to automatic or adaptive systems that optimize beam distribution to enhance visibility while reducing glare.

See also: nærlys, fjernlys, automotive lighting, road safety.