You are traveling on a rural two-lane highway with a posted speed limit of 55 mph when a sudden severe rainstorm drops visibility to under 150 feet and creates standing water in the wheel ruts. Other traffic has slowed to approximately 30 mph. Under the Basic Speed Law and standard low-visibility driving rules, which of the following actions is legally required and safest?
- AMaintain the posted speed limit of 55 mph since it is the legally designated maximum for the highway, while switching on your high-beam headlights to improve visibility.
- Reduce your vehicle speed to a rate that is safe for the reduced visibility, maintain low-beam headlights, and increase your following distance behind preceding vehicles.Answer
- CSlow to 30 mph but switch on your high-beam headlights to penetrate the rain and signal your presence to oncoming traffic.
- DMaintain 55 mph to prevent being rear-ended by trailing traffic while repeatedly applying firm pressure to the brakes to clear water from the tires.
Answer
The driver must reduce speed below the posted limit to a rate safe for visibility, utilize low-beam headlights to prevent glare, and expand following distance.
The correct response recognizes that under the Basic Speed Law, drivers must adjust their speed downward when rain, fog, or poor visibility creates hazardous conditions. Using low-beam headlights prevents glare caused by light reflecting off precipitation, and increasing following distance provides essential reaction time on wet pavement.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Basic Speed Law compliance and headlight management in severe rain and low visibility