What lights to use when following a vehicle?

[VanAubree]

When following a vehicle closely at night, you should turn on the low beam headlights. When meeting oncoming traffic on roads without central barriers or center lines, you must not use high beams within 150 meters of the opposite vehicle. When meeting non-motorized vehicles on narrow bridges or roads without central barriers or center lines, high beams must not be used. Additional information: Low beam headlights. Low beams are designed for close-range illumination, featuring a wide coverage of approximately 160 degrees but with a short projection distance and non-adjustable focus. Motor vehicles should use low beams when driving at night without street lights, under poor lighting conditions, or in low visibility situations such as fog, rain, snow, dust, or hail, especially when following another vehicle closely in the same direction.

[HeidiDella]

Always use low beams when following another vehicle. Having driven for over a decade, I deeply understand the importance of this—high beams directly shine into the rearview mirror of the car ahead, creating intense glare that can momentarily blind the driver and obscure road conditions, significantly increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. This is especially common on highways or during nighttime driving. I’ve witnessed chain-reaction crashes caused by drivers using high beams while tailing another car, with unimaginable consequences. Make it a habit: as soon as you start following a vehicle, switch to low beams and maintain a safe following distance of at least two to three seconds. In poor weather conditions like rain or fog, high beams scatter light and actually reduce visibility, whereas low beams provide adequate illumination without disturbing others. Safe driving isn’t just talk—before every trip, I check my light settings to avoid unnecessary risks, protecting both myself and other road users. Such small habits can greatly enhance driving safety, making everyone’s journey more secure.

[VonMax]

Many people mistakenly use high beams when following another car, which is actually a big mistake. As someone who frequently drives in the city, let me tell you why. High beams may seem brighter, but the glare is too strong. The driver in front will see nothing but blinding white light in the rearview mirror, leading to distraction or sudden braking, which can cause accidents. New drivers often make this mistake, thinking that brighter lights mean safer driving, but in reality, it endangers both themselves and others. The correct approach is to always switch to low beams when following another car, as this focuses the light on the road without affecting the vehicle ahead. Also, maintain a safe distance—if you follow too closely, the combination of lighting issues and tension increases the risk of accidents. Once, I forgot to switch to low beams while driving behind another car and was flashed by the driver ahead as a reminder. That moment made me realize how important daily habits are. Now, I automatically adjust my lights when following another car—it’s a simple rule to follow. Stick to it, and your driving will be much safer. Don’t wait for an accident to regret it.

[KathrynDella]

When driving long distances in a convoy, I prefer using low beams as it's a fundamental safety measure. High beams reflected in the rearview mirror can be blinding, making it hard to see the road. Once, a friend almost rear-ended the car ahead while using high beams in convoy driving, which made me realize how dangerous it is. Since then, I've insisted on using low beams—they illuminate the road ahead just enough without being glaring, making driving both convenient and safe. This is especially crucial during rainy or foggy conditions when high beams scatter more, further blurring visibility. Also, maintaining a proper following distance is essential to reduce accident risks. In short, convoy lighting rules rely on self-discipline—never underestimate their importance.