What lights should be used when driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction at night?
2 Answers
When driving closely behind another vehicle at night, you should turn on the low beam headlights. Here is some relevant information: The dangers of improper use of headlights during night driving: When driving at night, high beams can cause temporary blindness to the vision of oncoming drivers. The duration of this blindness varies depending on the driver's own eyesight and the surrounding environment, but it typically lasts at least 2 seconds. Reduced judgment: At night, visibility is poor, so the human eye's ability to judge the speed of oncoming vehicles is significantly diminished. In such conditions, the interference from high beams can further accelerate this decline in judgment.
When driving at night and following another car, I have to remind everyone about the headlights—never use the high beams. Those things are blindingly bright and can directly dazzle the driver in front, potentially causing a rear-end collision or even an accident. I made this mistake when I was a new driver, thinking the high beams were brighter and would help me see better. As a result, my instructor scolded me, calling it basic driving etiquette and a safety rule. Low beams are the way to go—their light is directed downward onto the road, so they don’t glare into the eyes of the car ahead. I’ve since developed a habit: as soon as I get within about 100 meters of the car in front, I switch back to low beams and maintain a two- to three-second following distance. This keeps visibility clear and ensures safety. In foggy or rainy conditions at night, low beams are sufficient, and I always double-check the dashboard indicators to confirm I haven’t accidentally switched modes. Remember to regularly check your headlight settings—don’t slack off and overlook this detail. After all, visibility is already poor at night, and a small oversight could lead to disaster.
