It never fails when we have a discussion such as this. Daytime high beam use, ABS vs.non-ABS, highviz gear ect...
Just because I'm using my high beams during the day does NOT mean that I rely on them solely to keep me safe, that's just another tool in my toolbox. Of course situational awareness, judgment, and skill are still at the top of the list in my toolbox. I can use more than one tool at a time you know?
Perhaps we are understanding the discussion differently. I do not believe that highbeam headlight use is a tool. It is an error. The reasoning behind it is fallacious. It has more likelyhood of annoying others without benefitting the rider. The logic behind it is the same as the logic behind loud pipes. It is as effective as a guardian bell, without the benefit of being discrete.
Having said that, I do recognize that there are times when it is appropriate to use highbeams during the day, such as letting others know their high beams are on, and warning of traffic conditions. But those are almost always temporary uses, not constant.
As I noted earlier, the damage from highbeams in the daytime is probably minimal, and though I it think is is both an annoying and a futile habit, it doesn't mean that I think that everyone who does it is a complete jerk or idiot. I have a good friend who believes that it is a good idea, just as you seem to. When we ride together, I ask him to ride in front, or I ask him to dim his lights. He is courteous enough to do that, and we get along well.
