What is the recommended guidance for headlights in night driving?

• A. Maintain a four-second headway.
• B. Always use high beams.
• C. Drive as fast as possible to clear hazards.
• D. Never outdrive your headlights.

Answer: (D)

Night driving hinges on what your headlights can reveal ahead of you. The best guidance is to never outdrive your headlights—keep your speed adjusted so you can stop within the distance your lights illuminate. If you go faster than what you can see, you risk hitting a hazard you didn’t have time to react to. A four-second following distance can help with reaction time, but it doesn’t address the illumination limit itself. High beams should be used only when there’s no oncoming traffic or vehicles ahead; using them inappropriately can blind others and reduce safety. Driving as fast as possible to “clear hazards” ignores visibility and reaction time, making it unsafe.