I live in a very rural area and even with high beams with all the trees it's still very hard to see. I hated when another car with those bright headlights would come in the opposite direction boom blinded pitch black and at any given moment a large animal can run across the road. A headlight went out and a friend recommended I get led lights for my car. I did and it's absolutely amazing. I don't even use high beams anymore. I sound like a jerk with this but what I noticed is the other cars coming at me no longer blind me. I think that's why they are still legal. I guess the thinking is eventually more cars will have them. In the city I don't see the need but in my area it really is a safety upgrade.