When trailing another vehicle at night on an unlit roadway, what headlight adjustment and following distance procedure should a commercial driver apply?
- AMaintain high beams until within 100 feet of the lead vehicle, reducing following distance to rely on the forward vehicle's taillights for guidance.
- Dim headlights to low beams within 300 feet of the vehicle ahead and maintain adequate space to stop safely within illuminated sight distance.Answer
- CKeep high beams illuminated continuously, calculating required trailing space based strictly on braking distance rather than total stopping distance.
- DSwitch to low beams and increase speed to close the following gap so the truck stays within the lead vehicle's illuminated path.
Answer
Dim headlights to low beams within 300 feet of the vehicle ahead and maintain adequate space to stop safely within illuminated sight distance.
According to standard commercial driving guidelines, drivers must dim their headlights from high beams to low beams within 300 feet when following another vehicle to avoid blinding the driver ahead via mirror reflection. Furthermore, drivers must preserve a sufficient space cushion so that total stopping distance—incorporating perception, reaction, and braking distances—remains well within the illuminated forward path.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Night Headlight Dimming and Following Distance Management
Estimated Time:1m 0s