New York DMV Permit Written TestSafe Driving PracticesHard
When driving at night, what is the safest practice regarding your vehicle's headlights?
- AUse high beams only when absolutely no other vehicles are present on the road.
- BUse low beams when driving in urban areas or following another vehicle within 200 feet.
- CUse low beams when driving slower than 30 mph on unlit roads.
- DUse high beams at all times unless an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Use low beams when driving in urban areas or following another vehicle within 200 feet.
Using low beams when following another vehicle within 200 feet or when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet is crucial to prevent blinding other drivers. In urban areas, streetlights often provide enough illumination, making high beams unnecessary and potentially distracting.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While high beams are best for maximum visibility on unlit, empty roads, they are not restricted to only when 'absolutely no other vehicles' are present, just when safe to use.
- C. Speed is not the primary factor for selecting low or high beams; presence of other vehicles and visibility are.
- D. High beams should be dimmed for oncoming traffic at 500 feet and for following traffic at 200 feet.
Headlight Usage Rules
Regulations for using low and high beam headlights to ensure visibility and prevent blinding other drivers.
- Dim high beams for oncoming traffic (500 ft).
- Dim high beams when following (200 ft).
- Use low beams in fog/rain.
Memory trick: Dim for close, bright for alone!