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Question

Difficulty: HardNight Driving and Headlight Usage

Maintaining a speed of 55 mph on an unlit highway at night while using low-beam headlights that illuminate 160 feet ahead complies with the Basic Speed Law, provided the posted speed limit is 55 mph.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False
The statement is False because traveling 55 mph with low beams that illuminate only 160 feet ahead leads to overdriving headlights. Since stopping at 55 mph requires around 220 feet, any obstacle seen at the edge of the light beam cannot be avoided, violating the Basic Speed Law requirement to drive at a safe speed for existing visibility conditions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate total stopping distance at 55 mph relative to headlight illumination range.
At 55 mph (80.67 ft/s80.67\text{ ft/s}), driver perception and reaction time accounts for approximately 60 to 80 feet before braking begins, and braking distance requires an additional 140 to 160 feet, yielding a total stopping distance of about 220 to 240 feet. This exceeds the 160-foot beam range by at least 60 feet.
Safe night driving requires that a vehicle can come to a complete stop within the distance rendered visible by its headlights.
2
Evaluate compliance with the Basic Speed Law.
Because a driver cannot stop for an obstacle appearing at the maximum illuminated distance of 160 feet, the vehicle is overdriving its headlights, which directly violates the Basic Speed Law.
The Basic Speed Law mandates that drivers must never operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent given visibility, weather, and road conditions, regardless of the posted maximum speed limit.

Key Concept

Overdriving Headlights and the Basic Speed Law
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Topics

Night Driving and Headlight Usage

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