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Question

Difficulty: MediumNight Driving

You are driving at night on an unlit country road using main-beam headlights. Ahead, you notice a pedestrian walking along the edge of the road towards you. What should you do?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to alert the pedestrian to your presence
  2. Dip your headlights to avoid dazzling the pedestrian and slow down if necessaryAnswer
  3. C
    Keep your main beam on and stare directly at the pedestrian to track their movement
  4. D
    Maintain full beam and steer closer to parked vehicles along the verge to widen the passing gap

Answer

Dip your headlights to prevent dazzling the pedestrian and reduce speed if necessary to remain safe.
According to the Highway Code, drivers must never use lights in a way that dazzles other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders. When encountering a pedestrian on an unlit road at night, you must switch to dipped headlights to avoid blinding them and adjust your speed to ensure you can stop safely within your illuminated field of view.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the vulnerable road user ahead while using high-beam illumination.
Recognise that main-beam headlights can severely dazzle pedestrians, impairing their vision and orientation.
The Highway Code requires drivers to avoid using headlights in any manner that causes dazzle or discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians.
2
Switch promptly from main beam to dipped headlights.
Headlight glare is directed away from the pedestrian's eyes onto the road surface.
Dipped beams allow sufficient road view ahead without blinding oncoming traffic or walkers.
3
Assess the reduced forward illumination and adjust vehicle speed.
The vehicle's stopping distance remains well within the area clearly lit by dipped headlights.
Drivers must always be able to stop comfortably within the distance they can see to be clear.

Key Concept

Proper beam control and dazzle prevention for vulnerable road users during night driving
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Night Driving

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