A 3-minute lesson from the Minnesota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
There's less traffic at night, yet nearly half of all fatal crashes in Minnesota happen after dark. Good headlight habits, glare control and watching for deer make the difference.
Before a night trip
Study maps and directions before starting out
Make sure your vehicle lights work
Make sure your windshield is clean and free of defects
If oncoming headlights blind you, use the white line along the road's edge as a guide. For glare from behind, use a day-night mirror or adjust your regular mirror.
Deer are most active from dusk to dawn. At night, scan the roadsides for your headlights reflecting in their eyes; if you see that, slow down, blow the horn and be ready to stop. Watch for more than one — deer may cross anywhere, anytime, even in towns.
You're using high beams on a dark highway. An oncoming car appears: dim to low beams by the time it's within 1,000 feet. Later you catch up to a car ahead — dim before you're within 200 feet of it.
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.
About what share of fatal traffic crashes in Minnesota occur after dark?
Nearly half
About one in ten
About one-quarter
About three-quarters
Answer: Nearly half
Nearly half of all fatal crashes in Minnesota happen after dark, despite less traffic at night.