What lights to use when driving in the same direction as the car in front?

[SanMila]

When driving closely behind another vehicle in the same direction, you should use low beam headlights. If the distance to the car in front is within 150 meters, always use low beams and avoid high beams. This is because high beams reflected in the rearview mirror of the car ahead can impair the driver's vision and potentially cause accidents. Low beam headlights must be used when driving in dark areas without streetlights, during dusk when visibility is poor, or at dawn. In conditions like heavy fog, snow, or rain that reduce visibility, low beams should be used even during the day. Additionally, low beams are necessary on roads with insufficient lighting, even if there are some light fixtures. When meeting oncoming traffic on roads without central barriers or center lines, high beams should not be used within 150 meters of the approaching vehicle. High beams are also prohibited when driving behind another vehicle in the same direction at close range during nighttime conditions with poor lighting, fog, rain, snow, or dust. Furthermore, high beams should not be used when meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow bridges or roads without central barriers or center lines. When navigating sharp curves, slopes, arched bridges, crosswalks, or uncontrolled intersections, drivers should alternate between high and low beams to signal their presence.

[SanCole]

When driving at night and following a vehicle in the same direction, you must use low beams. This rule was repeatedly emphasized by my driving instructor during my license test, because high beams reflected in the rearview mirror can blind the driver ahead with a glaring white light, which is extremely dangerous. I remember last month during a highway traffic jam, the car in front suddenly slammed on the brakes. If I hadn’t been using low beams and could clearly see the taillights, I might have rear-ended them. The following distance at night should also be greater than during the day—at least 50 meters on city roads and at least 100 meters on highways for safety. If the vehicle ahead is a tall truck, you should also be careful to avoid being hit by falling cargo. Make it a habit to proactively switch to low beams when it gets dark, taking responsibility for your own safety and that of others.

[DeEverett]

It's really annoying to often see drivers behind using high beams on the road. The strong light reflecting from the rearview mirror can cause temporary blindness for two or three seconds. Experienced drivers who truly understand safety know that it's correct to turn the light knob to low beam position when following another vehicle. This is especially dangerous during rainy or foggy conditions when road surface reflections combine with high beam illumination. Once when I was driving at night, a novice driver in front of me suddenly changed lanes after being dazzled by high beams from behind, nearly hitting the guardrail. A reminder to everyone: when the blue high beam indicator on the dashboard is lit, it means the lighting mode is incorrect. When following another vehicle, you must ensure it's turned off to guarantee safe driving.

[VonDominic]

The driving test (Subject 3) explicitly requires the use of low beams when following another vehicle. Traffic laws clearly state that high beams must not be used when the distance between vehicles traveling in the same direction at night is less than 150 meters. I once witnessed an accident where the driver of the leading vehicle misjudged the lane and hit the guardrail due to the high beams from the following car. It's advisable to equip your car with anti-glare rearview mirrors, which can be manually switched when encountering high beams from behind. The angle of standard car lights is also regulated; you can fine-tune the angle with a hex wrench under the hood to avoid directly shining into the vehicle ahead. Of course, the best practice is to develop the habit of using low beams when following other vehicles.