George Mason University

PHED 276

Topic 1: Visibility
1. Driving at night
a) Dirt on the lenses of headlights can reduce light by up to 95 percent.
b) How can you check to see if the lights are working properly? Use headlights when
parked behind a car or in front of a garage door.
c) How far do high beams let us see? More than 30 feet
d) What is the sight distance rule? We have to be able to drive in the distance we can
see.
e) When driving at night, drivers need to leave more following distance than they
would in the daytime.
2. The distance a driver can see ahead is limited and headlights do not illuminate offroad areas. Visibility is also compromised by the glare from other vehicles.
3. High beam headlights
 Used when safe and legal at speeds of 55 –60 mph.
Low beam headlights
 Used in bad weather or when following or meeting another car at night – safe
at speed of 40 - 45 mph.
4. Night Driving Skills:
a) Adjust speed to distance illuminated by headlights
b) Keep your eyes moving searching ahead and at edges of the roadway
c) Flash lights once quickly if oncoming vehicle is using high beams
5. Night Driving Risks:
a) Reduces ability to see risks.
b) Requires eyes to adjust quickly to glare.
c) Places limitations on gathering and processing information in time.
6. The distance you can see ahead is shorter – especially at higher speeds.
7. Reduce speed to accommodate shortened sight distance.
8. Use emergency flashers when traveling below speed limit.
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9. Virginia law requires driving from sunset to sunrise and during inclement weather,
such as rain, snow, fog, or whenever your windshield wipers are in use.
10.LOWER/DIM your high-beams headlights when you are: within 500 feet of an
approaching vehicle and following closely behind another vehicle (within 200 feet).
11.Over driving your headlights is when your vehicle’s stopping distance is greater
than the distance lighted by your headlights.
12.Before passing the driver passing can flash his/her headlights to warn the other
driver.
13.When two vehicles are side by side the passing driver may switch to high beams
and the driver being passed should switch to low beams.
14. In snow wear dark clothing to create a contrast.