Night Driving-DMD 7102

What negative impacts do drivers suffer in night driving situations?

-there are fewer colors apparent and shadows cast deeper at dusk -when driving in the dark the driver will have a smaller field of vision available and it is much like driving in a "lighted tunnel." -at night, drivers lose many of the visual cues available during the hours of light. This results in poor depth perception and lowers the ability to judge rate of closure. -glare from oncoming vehicle lights, roadside lighting and signs can cause the driver to lose night vision -dirty, hazy, blurred, or nicotine stained windows reduces visibility and increases glare which is magnified at night. Tinted glass cuts visibility greatly at night. -fatigue affects vision efficiency and tends to lengthen perception, decision and reaction times. Proper rest and exercise help to minimize the effects of fatigue. It also helps to keep fresh air circulating through the vehicle.

Under ideal conditions with normal headlamps, the average driver can see a pedestrian in dark clothing at a range of _____ feet. The average driver can see a pedestrian clad in white clothing, from a distance of approximately _______ feet.

150, 300

Low beam headlights will only project light between ___-___ feet in front of a vehicle, with clear weather conditions.

150-200

High beam headlights will only project light between ___-___ feet in front of a vehicle, with clear weather conditions.

250-300

The textbook is a joke

Just slow day, utilize your headlights, and be prepared to stop at a slower reaction speed due to low visibility

What should drivers do to their instrument lights when driving at night?

drivers should lower the brightness of their instrument panel lights to reduce glare. The optimum lighting package is high beam headlights and low dash lights

When approaching another vehicle at night what should we do with our headlights?

the driver should dim the headlights, reduce speed and avoid looking directly at the headlights of the oncoming vehicle

What is reaction time?

the time a person takes to perceive and act to something.

What should drivers do when driving in smoke or fog?

use low beam headlights to reduce glare that will be reflected back at you. Looking toward the right white line or shoulder may assist in driving in these conditions.