Headlights.
At night your headlights will usually be the main source of light
for you to see and for others to see you. You can’t see nearly as
much with your headlights as you can see in the daytime. With low
beams you can see ahead about 250 feet and with high beams about
350-500 feet. You must adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance
within your sight distance. This means going slow enough to be able
to stop within the range of your headlights. Otherwise, by the time
you see a hazard, you will not have time to stop.
Night driving can be more dangerous if you have problems with your
headlights. Dirty headlights may give only half the light they should.
This cuts down your ability to see, and makes it harder for others
to see you. Make sure your lights are clean and working. Headlights
can be out of adjustment. If they don’t point in the right direction,
they don’t give you a good view and they can blind otherdrivers.
Have a qualified person make sure they are adjusted properly.
Other Lights.
In order for you to be seen easily, the following should be clean
and working properly:
• Reflectors.
• Marker lights.
• Clearance lights.
• Tail lights.
• Identification lights.
Turn Signals and Brake Lights.
At night your turn signals and brake lights are even more important
for telling other drivers what you intend to do. Make sure you have
clean, working turn signals and stop lights.
Windshields and Mirrors.
It is more important at night than in the daytime to have clean
windshields and mirrors. Bright lights at night can cause dirt on
your windshield or mirrors to create a glare of its own, blocking
your view. Most people have experienced driving toward the sun just
as it has risen or is about to set and found that they can barely
see through a windshield that seemed to look o.k. in the middle
of the day. Clean your windshield on the inside and outside for
safe driving at night.
Night Driving Procedures Pre-Trip
Procedures.
Avoid blinding others.
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