Should You Alternate Between High and Low Beams When Overtaking at Night?
4 Answers
When overtaking at night, it is necessary to alternate between high and low beams. Switching between high and low beams to alert the vehicle ahead can enhance driving safety. The method for using high and low beams is as follows: 1. Turn on the low beams when driving on roads with streetlights at night; 2. Use low beams when encountering pedestrians, narrow roads, narrow bridges, and curves at night; 3. Turn on the high beams when driving on roads without streetlights or on straight, distant roads with poor visibility at night; 4. When meeting another vehicle at night, if the high beams are on, be sure to turn them off and wait until the meeting is complete before turning the high beams back on.
Using high and low beams alternately is a must for night overtaking! Here’s my decade-long experience driving on mountain roads at night: First, signal your intention to overtake with the left turn indicator. Then, start alternating between high and low beams about 100 meters behind the leading vehicle. The high beam ensures the driver ahead notices you via the rearview mirror, while the low beam prevents glare that could impair their judgment. Repeat this 3 times during the process. Maintain low beams while overtaking to avoid shining into the leading car’s cabin, and switch off high beams immediately after completing the maneuver. This technique is especially crucial on highways and national roads—it reduces rear-end collisions caused by sudden lane changes by 90%. Remember, never cut corners by just flashing high beams, as it may mislead the leading driver about distance or even trigger road rage.
When overtaking at night, always use alternating light flashes as a reminder. Last time I was driving on a provincial highway and encountered a slow-moving vehicle. After flashing my high beams twice, the car in front noticed me in the rearview mirror and proactively moved aside to make space. The steps are simple: after spotting an overtaking opportunity, first turn on the indicator, then gently pull the light stalk with your left hand to quickly toggle between high and low beams three times—like sending a Morse code—to give the car ahead a clear signal. Use low beams throughout the overtaking to avoid dazzling, and switch back to high beams only after returning to your lane. This method is safer than honking, especially in rain or fog when lights have better visibility. However, always check the opposite lane in advance—if there’s oncoming traffic, you must abort the overtake. Safety always comes first.
Alternate use is mandatory! The car's high and low beams function like a specialized language for nighttime overtaking: high beam means 'I'm coming,' while low beam signals 'approaching.' Start by flashing your lights 2-3 times beyond the safe overtaking distance, allowing the preceding vehicle to notice the light change in their rearview mirror. Maintain low beams throughout the overtaking process to prevent dazzling the preceding driver via their mirror. This critical maneuver prevents two risks: the preceding vehicle misjudging your position and suddenly changing lanes, or making operational errors due to glare. Adjust flash frequency based on road lighting conditions – 2 flashes suffice on well-lit urban roads, while additional flashes may be needed on pitch-dark rural routes.
