i've driven between manhattan and topeka at all hours of the day/night probably approaching a thousand times. there is two gas stations, a rest area and a weigh station, all illuminated. on top of that, i don't think i've ever gone more than a mile without a car in either direction. if i have, i certainly didn't put my brights on for that short amount of time.
anyway, i noticed this weekend that the only time i use my brights is on dirt country roads, and then flash them off when i approach a house.