What lights should be used when driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction at night?
3 Answers
When driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction at night, you should use low beam headlights. Low beams must be used when following a vehicle within 150 meters, and high beams should not be used. This is because high beams reflected in the rearview mirror of the leading vehicle can dazzle the driver, impairing their vision and potentially causing accidents. Here are some related guidelines: Oncoming traffic: When meeting oncoming vehicles within 150 meters on roads without central barriers or centerlines, high beams must not be used. Pedestrian crossings: When passing through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, pedestrian crossings, or intersections without traffic signals, you should alternately flash your high and low beams as a warning.
I've been driving for nearly 30 years and am very familiar with the issue of headlight usage when following another vehicle at close range at night. In such situations, you must use low beams, not high beams. High beams can dazzle the driver ahead, causing temporary vision impairment, and in severe cases, may lead to rear-end collisions. Whether on highways or urban roads when following another vehicle, I always maintain a safe distance of two to three seconds while ensuring my lights are soft to avoid affecting others' driving. Some people habitually use high beams, only to be warned by flashing lights from the car ahead or even provoke conflicts, without realizing what's wrong. Actually, traffic regulations clearly specify: close-range illumination requires low-beam headlights, which adequately light up the road ahead without causing glare. When following another vehicle, it's also important to consider weather conditions; for example, in foggy weather, fog lights can be used as supplementary lighting, but the main headlights should still be on low beam. Developing good lighting habits can make night driving safer and more reliable.
As a car enthusiast, I often go mountain running at night with friends or follow them home after gatherings. During these times, when driving on the same route at close distances, I always use low beams. High beams reflecting off the rearview mirror of the car ahead can be glaring and annoying, potentially leading to disputes and ruining the mood. I've tested with my custom lighting system—low beams evenly illuminate the area about ten meters ahead near the front wheels without disturbing other drivers. High beams, while reaching farther, are too bright and can distract or cause misjudgments. I've also noticed some inexperienced or careless drivers misuse their lights, which gets criticized in car groups as poor etiquette. For safe following, I recommend maintaining a proper distance and checking if your bulbs are aging. Upgrading to brighter bulbs but keeping them in low-beam mode significantly improves nighttime visibility. In short, using lights correctly makes for a more harmonious atmosphere on the road.
