What is your nighttime reaction time while driving?

• A. 2.0 seconds.
• B. 2.5 seconds.
• C. 3.0 seconds.
• D. 1.8 seconds.

Answer: (B)

Nighttime driving places extra demands on perception and decision-making because visibility is reduced and glare can obscure hazards. The time it takes to notice a hazard, decide how to respond, and start moving is longer in these conditions, so about 2.5 seconds is the typical nighttime reaction time used in training. This figure reflects the added processing delay you experience in the dark. Put simply, longer reaction time means you cover more distance before you begin to brake, underscoring why increasing following distance at night is important. For perspective, at 50 mph that 2.5 seconds amounts to roughly 180 feet of travel before braking begins, and at 60 mph about 220 feet. Shorter times don’t account for the extra night-time delays.