Driving at night and in bad weather
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Night Driving and Reduced Visibility
Night and certain weather conditions (rain, snow, fog) limit how far ahead you can see.
Always reduce speed on unlit roads or when visibility is poor.
Use low beams within 150m of oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle within 60m.
Avoid sudden steering and braking movements to maintain control.
Overdriving Your Headlights
Overdriving headlights means traveling so fast that your stopping distance is greater than what your headlights illuminate.
Reflective road signs can make it seem like you can see farther than you really can, leading to dangerous overconfidence.
Slow down so you can stop safely within the range of your headlights.
Glare
Glare can come from oncoming headlights or from the sun (even on overcast days).
At night, look up and to the right of the oncoming vehicle’s headlights to reduce glare.
In daytime glare, use sunglasses or sun visors, and slow down as eyes adjust (for example, when entering a tunnel).
Fog
If fog is forecast, delay your trip if possible; visibility can drop very quickly.
Use low beams or fog lights (high beams reflect on water droplets, making it harder to see).
Increase following distance, drive slowly, and use road markings (the right edge) to guide you.
If visibility is near zero, pull off the road completely and wait for fog to lift.
Rain
Road surfaces become very slippery when rain first starts to fall.
Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on top of water, reducing control.
Slow down and leave extra space to the vehicle in front of you.
Ensure windshield wipers work well and avoid driving through large puddles.
Flooded Roads
Avoid flooded roads; water can prevent brakes from working and hide potholes.
If you must drive through standing water, test your brakes afterward to ensure they are working properly.
If brakes feel spongy or the vehicle pulls to one side, get repairs immediately.
Skids
Skids usually result from driving too fast for the conditions, hard braking, or sudden steering/acceleration.
If you begin to skid, ease off the accelerator or brake, and steer in the direction you want to go.
Avoid oversteering; regain control before applying brakes gently.
Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)
ABS senses when wheels are about to lock and reduces brake force to help maintain steering control.
Expect a pulsation in the brake pedal during hard braking—this is normal.
Even with ABS, do not expect shorter stopping distances; maintain safe speeds and following distances.
Threshold Braking
Used in vehicles without ABS to stop quickly on slippery roads.
Apply brake pressure until a wheel locks, then release slightly to regain traction, and reapply.
Do not pump the brakes; use a steady but controlled pressure.
Snow
Snow can be packed hard like ice or soft and slushy.
Reduce speed and avoid sudden steering, braking, or accelerating to prevent skids.
Don’t use cruise control on snowy or icy roads.
Whiteouts
Blowing snow can drastically reduce visibility.
Slow down gradually and drive at a speed suitable for conditions.
Use low-beam headlights or fog lights rather than high beams.
If visibility is near zero, pull off the road completely and wait for conditions to improve.
If you become stuck, stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety.
Ice
Wet roads freeze into black ice when temperatures drop below freezing.
Shaded areas, bridges, and overpasses freeze first.
If you suspect black ice, slow down and be cautious.
If you drive over black ice, do not panic; ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want to go.
Snow Plows
Snow removal vehicles have flashing blue lights; they often move slowly and may have wide wings.
Never try to pass between staggered snow plows on freeways; they may be clearing multiple lanes at once.
Allow extra space and be patient around snow plows.
Summary
Always adjust your speed and driving style to match weather and visibility conditions.
Manage glare by looking away from bright lights and using sun visors or sunglasses.
Hydroplaning, skids, and black ice can cause loss of control—slow down and be vigilant.
Keep your vehicle well-maintained (tires, wipers, brakes) to be prepared for adverse conditions.
Know how to handle emergencies (e.g., skidding, getting stranded) and practice safe driving habits.