Night driving presents unique problems because:
Answers
The speed limit is increased at night.
There are fewer cars on the roads at night.
Distance and vehicle speed are difficult to judge in the dark.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer:
Distance and vehicle speed are difficult to judge in the dark.
Explanation:
Night driving introduces unique challenges that can make it more hazardous than daytime driving. One of the primary reasons is the difficulty in accurately judging distance and vehicle speed in low-light conditions. Here’s a detailed explanation:
- Reduced Visibility:
At night, the absence of natural sunlight limits how far and how well drivers can see. While headlights provide some illumination, they create a narrower field of vision, reducing peripheral awareness. Objects such as pedestrians, animals, and road signs may appear suddenly and with little time to react. - Depth Perception and Speed Judgment:
Human eyes rely on multiple cues, like shadows and contrasts, to perceive depth and speed during the day. At night, these visual cues are diminished, which makes it harder to determine how fast an oncoming vehicle is traveling or how far away it is. This can lead to poor decision-making when passing, turning, or stopping. - Glare from Lights:
Glare from oncoming headlights or poorly aimed beams can temporarily blind or disorient a driver, further impairing their ability to judge distances and speeds. This is especially problematic for individuals with certain vision conditions or older drivers, whose eyes take longer to recover from glare. - Fatigue and Reduced Reaction Time:
Night driving often coincides with times when the body is naturally more tired. Fatigue affects concentration and reaction times, compounding the difficulty of navigating in the dark. - Environmental Hazards:
Roads are often less crowded at night, but this can create a false sense of security. Wildlife may cross the road, and the limited visibility increases the risk of collisions.
To stay safe while driving at night, use high beams appropriately, keep windshields clean, and reduce speed to allow more time to react to potential hazards.