What Lights to Use When Driving Closely Behind Another Vehicle at Night?
2 Answers
Low beam headlights. Low beam headlights are designed for close-range illumination, with design requirements focusing on a wide coverage area of approximately 160 degrees, short projection distance, and non-adjustable focus. Below is relevant information: Article 48 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that on roads without central barriers or center lines, drivers must switch to low beams when meeting an oncoming vehicle at a distance of more than 150 meters at night, and must use low beams when encountering non-motor vehicles on narrow roads or bridges. When driving at night on roads without streetlights, under poor lighting conditions, or in low visibility situations such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, vehicles traveling in the same direction and following closely behind another vehicle should use low beams. Additionally, when passing through sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or intersections without traffic signal control at night, drivers should alternately use high and low beams to signal.
I've been driving for over thirty years and always use low beams when following another vehicle at night. I remember one late night heading home, I was following a car too closely and forgot to switch my lights. The driver ahead was blinded by my high beams and slammed on the brakes, nearly causing a rear-end collision that gave me quite a scare. Since then, I've made it a habit to immediately switch to low beams as soon as I see the rear of the car in front. This way, the light doesn't glare in their rearview mirror, allowing them to focus on driving. Safety comes first, and regulations also require using low beams when following another vehicle to avoid increasing the risk of accidents and potential fines. Experience has taught me that proper light control can reduce nighttime rear-end collisions by half. Now, every time I get in the car, I check the light position and am adept at adjusting the lever. Maintaining a safe distance while using low beams makes nighttime driving much more secure and comfortable.
