Can the following vehicle use high beams when tailing the leading vehicle at night?
3 Answers
When tailing the leading vehicle at night, the following vehicle can use high beams. Situations where high beams can be used: 1. When encountering oncoming vehicles: When using high beams, switch to low beams when meeting another vehicle. The specific distance depends on the situation, generally switching 150-200 meters away. After the vehicles pass each other, you can switch back to high beams. 2. When there are streetlights at night: Do not use high beams when driving at night with streetlights. 3. When encountering others using high beams: If the other vehicle uses high beams during a night encounter, flash the passing light 1-2 times to remind them to switch. 4. When there are no streetlights at night: Use high beams only when there are no streetlights and very few vehicles on the road. 5. In sudden situations: When driving with high beams at night and encountering an overtaking situation, switch back to low beams at least 100 meters in advance and flash the passing light, i.e., quickly lift the light lever 2-3 times when using low beams.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I must tell you, never use high beams when following another car at night. This is no joking matter—the intense light from high beams directly hitting the rearview mirror of the car ahead can instantly blind the driver, making it impossible to see the road clearly, and potentially leading to a serious accident. Traffic regulations clearly state that you must use low beams when following another vehicle, and only briefly switch to high beams when overtaking. Otherwise, you could face fines of several hundred yuan and penalty points if caught by the police. I’ve witnessed several accidents caused by trailing cars using high beams, where the leading driver misjudged the distance, resulting in rear-end collisions and even pedestrian injuries. Safety comes first—we must drive responsibly. If visibility is poor, using fog lights as a supplement can help, but don’t cut corners for convenience at the risk of lives.
I usually enjoy commuting by car, and after having kids at home, I pay even more attention to safety. Using high beams when following at night? Absolutely not! Think about it—when the light shines, the driver in front sees nothing but a blinding white, making it hard to even grip the steering wheel. Once on the highway, I tried using high beams, and the car in front suddenly slammed on the brakes, almost causing a collision. It scared me so much I never did it again. Isn’t low beam good enough? It illuminates the road without blinding others. Traffic rules also support this practice. If you feel it’s too dark to see, just slow down and maintain a safe distance, or find an opportunity to overtake before switching. In short, driving courtesy is mutual—don’t cause trouble for others. Protecting others means protecting yourself.
