CDL Combination Vehicles TestDriving Combination Vehicles SafelyMedium
A commercial driver is driving a combination vehicle at night and encounters an oncoming vehicle with excessively bright high-beam headlights. What is the safest action for the driver to take?
- ALook directly at the oncoming headlights to ensure you stay in your lane.
- BLook to the right edge of your lane until the vehicle passes.
- CClose your eyes briefly to minimize glare.
- DFlash your high beams back at the oncoming driver to signal them.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Look to the right edge of your lane until the vehicle passes.
Looking to the right edge of your lane (or the white fog line) helps you maintain your lane position without staring directly into the blinding glare of oncoming high beams, which can cause temporary blindness.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Staring directly into bright headlights can cause temporary blindness and loss of judgment of vehicle position.
- C. Closing your eyes, even briefly, is extremely dangerous as it means you lose all visual input while driving.
- D. Flashing high beams back can escalate the situation and make it harder for both drivers to see.
Dealing with Headlight Glare
When encountering blinding oncoming headlights at night, shift your gaze to the right edge of your lane to maintain vision and control.
- Direct glare causes temporary blindness.
- Looking right maintains lane position.
- Avoid flashing high beams back or closing eyes.
Memory trick: Bright lights ahead? Look right instead!