Driving at Night & in Inclement Weather

VisibilityThe single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to

identify a risk!

Tips for cutting down those risks are:

1. Look down the road, to the sides, and behind your vehicle. 2. Be alert for unexpected events. 3. Use your headlights at night and at other times when it’s hard to see. 4. Be alert and pay attention to what is going on around you.

Hazardous Conditions

1. Driving becomes hazardous when visibility is reduced or when the road surface is covered with rain, snow or ice.

2. Reducing your speed should be your first response todecreased visibility and dangerous road conditions.

3. Increase your space cushion by doubling your normal following distance from three seconds to six seconds

4. Turn on your headlights.

Headlights

• The Code of Virginia requires that you use your headlights from sunset to sunrise and during inclement weather, such as rain, fog, snow, or when you use your windshield wipers. At twilight, when the sun light begins to fade, turn your headlights ON. This will make your vehicle more visible to others.

When to Use Low Beams

1. Use low-beams when driving in cities and towns2. within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle3. following closely behind another vehicle (within 200 feet) 4. driving on lighted roadways5. driving in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust

Headlight Alignment and Speed

Properly aligned LOW BEAM headlights

T – 8.3

Topic 1 Lesson 2

lighted area above road300 to 500 feet

illuminated roadway100 to 150 feet

beam hits roadway 100 to 150 feet aheadilluminates area above road 300 to 500 feet aheada maximum safe speed of 40 to 45 mph is based on

your ability to stop within the lighted area

High BeamsUse high-beam headlights on highways and roadways that are not properly lit, unless another vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you.

If the high beams of an oncoming car are on, • avoid looking directly at the bright lights. • glance toward the side of the road, then look quickly ahead to

determine the other vehicle’s position.• keep doing this until you have passed the other vehicle. • even if the other driver does not dim his headlights, do not turn

on your high-beam headlights.

Headlight Alignment and SpeedProperly Aligned High Beam Headlights

T – 8.4

Topic 1 Lesson 2

illuminated roadway300 to 500 feet

lighted area above road500 to 1800 feet

the beam hits the roadway 300 to 500 feet aheadilluminates the area above the road 500 to 1800 feet

aheadmaximum safe speed is 65 mph based on your ability

to stop within the lighted area

Nighttime Precautionary Measures

T – 8.5

Topic 1 Lesson 2

Clean windshield inside and outClean headlightsReduce night time speed.Increase following interval.Turn off interior lights.Look to the right of oncoming vehicles.Use high/low headlight beams properly.

Visibility Limitations in Fog

Reduce speedMake sure your headlights are on low beam (aimed at the road surface) to reduce the amount of light/glare reflected back at youTurn on your windshield wipersIf necessary, turn on the defroster or air conditioner

Driving in Drifting Fog

T – 8.7

Topic 1 Lesson 3

Hazards of Driving in RAIN

Driving in heavy rain can be as hazardous as driving in fog, especially if the wind is blowing.

Other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas are especially difficult to see when it’s

raining.

Safely Driving in RainUse your low-beam headlights to see and be seen. In light rain or drizzle, turn on your windshield wipers to improve visibility

*using wipers for sprinkles may smear the Windshield and make it harder to see, so make

sure you have windshield washer fluid.

When rain begins, during the first half-hour, roads are more likely to be slippery due to oil on the road surface mixing with water.

Snow

Remove snow and ice from your entire car, including the roof, hood and rear of the vehicle, before you start driving.

Snow and ice left on the car can fly off when the vehicle is moving and create a hazard for other motorists.

Be sure to clear all of your windows, mirrors and front and rear lights of snow or ice so you can see and communicate with other drivers.

Tips for Safe Driving on Snow

Equip your car with all-weather snow tires or chains to help prevent skidding and reduce stopping distance.

Driving on packed snow is similar to driving on ice. When you brake, apply the brakes gently.

Slow down way before needing to stop or turn.

Easy does it!!

When driving on slippery surfaces and you need to stop, apply brakes gently.

You have the most traction and control when the front tires are rolling.

Therefore, your vehicle will respond more effectively to steering while moving more slowly than hard braking.

Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas. Bridges freeze before other road surfaces.

If your stopping distance is longer than your sight distance, you have created a high risk situation – slow down

T – 8.9

Topic 1 Lesson 3

Stopping Distance

Visibility Range

Braking distances at 20 mph with conventional tires on different pavement conditions

Ice - 150 feet

Packed Snow - 60 feet

Wet - 25 feet

Dry - 20 feet

Turn headlights to low beams

Turn on windshield wipers

Make all steering, accelerating, and braking actions gently and smoothly

Maintain appropriate lane position

Be prepared for effects of gusting or strong

steady crosswinds

Reduce speed to accommodate shortened sight distance

Turn on emergency flashers when traveling below speed limit

Be alert for vehicles stopped on the roadway

Do not stop in travel lane or on shoulder

TIPS FOR SAFE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER

T – 8.10

Topic 1 Lesson 3