A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
You must never drive faster than you can see. At night your headlights set the limit, and fog, rain, snow or glare can shrink it further. Match your speed to the distance you can see and stop within.
Know the rule
At night you must be closer to an object to see it, and you must be able to stop within the distance your headlights let you see.
Sun glare in early morning or late afternoon: wear sunglasses, keep windows clean and use your sun visors. With the sun behind you, oncoming drivers may not see your signals or car.
Use at least a 3-second following interval, adding a second for any unusual weather or traffic condition, and reduce speed or adjust position for traffic congestion, hills and curves, and weather.
You're on a dark two-lane highway at 60 mph with oncoming traffic, so you're on low beams. Low beams show about 150 to 200 feet, which matches about 45 mph. Slow down so you can stop within what you can see.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Low-beam headlights let you see clearly about how far ahead?
500 to 600 feet
350 to 400 feet
150 to 200 feet
50 to 75 feet
Answer: 150 to 200 feet
Low beams illuminate about 150-200 feet ahead, while high beams reach about 350-400 feet.
