What lights should be used when driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction at night?
4 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.
Having driven for decades, I deeply understand that using low beams when following cars at night is the golden rule—safety first. High beams may seem brighter, but their illumination range is too wide, easily shining into the rearview mirrors of the car ahead and blinding oncoming drivers momentarily, leaving them unable to react and hit the brakes in time—how dangerous! When I drive in the city, I maintain a proper following distance and rely on low beams for steady progress; the same logic applies on highways—don’t let your lights be too flashy. Occasionally, I see news reports about accidents caused by high beam misuse, and it sends shivers down my spine. So, I actively remind new drivers: Check your light switch position before driving and develop the habit of switching beams—it’s simple but lifesaving. Another tip: Observe the brightness changes of the taillights of the car ahead. If they seem glaring, it means your own lights are the problem.
When driving behind another car at night, I recommend sticking to low beams and avoiding the fancy high beams. The scattered light from high beams can dazzle the driver in front, making it hard to judge distances. A sudden brake could lead to a rear-end collision. I've been in that situation before, and it was quite a scare. Since then, I've strictly followed the rules—keeping the low beams on steadily, which keeps my eyes comfortable and makes it easier to control the distance. If visibility is poor, low beams combined with fog lights are more than enough for safety. It's a simple thing, but consistency is key.
