What lights to use when driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction?
3 Answers
When driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction at night, you should use low beam headlights. Maintain low beams when following within 150 meters of the vehicle ahead, and avoid using high beams. This is because high beams reflected in the leading vehicle's rearview mirror can dazzle the driver ahead, impairing their vision and potentially causing accidents. Regulations on nighttime lighting usage according to China's Road Traffic Safety Law: 1. Prohibition of high beams: High beams must not be used when meeting oncoming traffic within 150 meters on roads without central barriers or centerlines; when encountering non-motorized vehicles on narrow bridges or roads without central barriers; or when driving in low visibility conditions (fog, rain, snow, dust) where trailing vehicles must not use high beams when closely following preceding vehicles. 2. Alternating between high and low beams: Drivers should alternate between high and low beams when navigating sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, pedestrian crossings, or uncontrolled intersections. 3. Penalties: Violations will result in fines and penalty points.
You should definitely use low beams when following another car. Last time I was driving on the highway, the high beams from the car behind me were so blinding that it was really dangerous. In the city, when following closely, using high beams can cause glare in the rearview mirror of the car in front, and if the driver ahead is a novice, it could easily lead to an accident. When I'm driving, as soon as I can see the taillights of the car in front, I immediately switch to low beams. On the highway, at most, I use low beams plus front fog lights for a bit more illumination. Especially when it's raining at night, high beams can actually make it harder to see the road, and low beams with rear fog lights are the safest. For cars with automatic headlights, remember to set them to Auto mode so they can adjust the lighting based on the environment.
I'm the most qualified to speak on this matter, having driven for twenty years and seen it all. Using low beams when following another vehicle in the same direction is basic driving etiquette and common safety knowledge. High beams create intense glare, making it hard for the car ahead to see the road clearly through the rearview mirror and increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. When teaching my daughter to drive, I repeatedly emphasized this point: low beams with a 30-meter illumination distance are perfectly safe for following distance. Only switch to high beams when there's no car ahead. In rainy or foggy conditions, use them in conjunction with front and rear fog lights, but avoid high beams to prevent glare. Experienced drivers all know that proper light usage reflects driving etiquette.
