If a vehicle using high beams comes toward you, you should:
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
If a vehicle using high beams comes toward you, you should look toward the right edge of the road.
Explanation:
When driving at night, encountering an oncoming vehicle with high beams can temporarily blind you, making it difficult to see clearly and safely. High beams are designed to illuminate a greater distance in front of the vehicle but can be dangerously bright and distracting when approaching from the opposite direction. The glare can impair your vision, especially when it strikes your eyes directly.
The safest response to this situation is to avoid looking directly at the headlights of the oncoming vehicle. Instead, you should look toward the right edge of the road or the white line marking the shoulder. This strategy helps you maintain focus on the road and ensures you stay on course, even when visibility is compromised. By focusing on the right edge, your peripheral vision allows you to notice the road and any obstacles while minimizing the effect of the high beams.
Looking at the oncoming vehicle’s headlights can cause you to be temporarily blinded, making it harder to react to any hazards. On the other hand, by looking away from the glare, you can still see the road and stay aware of your surroundings.
In addition to this technique, you should also slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. The combination of maintaining proper vision and reducing your speed allows for more reaction time if the oncoming vehicle swerves or if the road conditions change unexpectedly.
If necessary, you can use your own headlights to signal to the other driver. If their high beams don’t turn off, flashing your low beams briefly can help them realize they are blinding you. However, it’s important to keep your own high beams off and only use low beams when there is oncoming traffic. Following these steps ensures your safety and reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by temporary blindness.