21 Driving in Hazardous Conditions: Nighttime and Weather

Question 1

Traffic fatalities occur _______ more often at night than during the day.

Answer 1

3x

Question 2

Factors influencing night crashes:

Answer 2

1. Impaired drivers
2. Drowsy drivers
3. Headlight limitations
4. Nighttime visibility issues

Question 3

The overall level of lighting will influence the ___________________ which a person can detect and identify an object.

Answer 3

speed, accuracy, and distance

Question 4

Seeing at night:

Answer 4

1. Conspicuity
2. Contrast
3. Glare
4. Age

Question 5

On average, low beams project approximately _________ in front of the vehicle on a clear night. High beams ________.

Answer 5

250 ft / 500 ft

Question 6

Effective range of headlights depend on:

Answer 6

1. Aim of the headlight
2. Age and condition of the headlight,
3. Weather conditions
4. Mounting height
5. Type of headlight installed

Question 7

Dirty headlights can reduce the amount of light by:

Answer 7

27%

Question 8

Two lane highways may present the “worst-case” scenario for nighttime glare. Reasons:

Answer 8

1. Lower light levels
2. Oncoming traffic closer to driver’s line of sight
3. Complex roadway geometry
4. Less restricted roadway access
5. Fewer roadway markings
6. Closer proximity of pedestrians

Question 9

Beam of headlight is biased towards the ________ side of the road.

Answer 9

Right

Question 10

The headlight bias helps prevent too much ___________ from affecting an oncoming driver.

Answer 10

glare

Question 11

Driving in Inclement Weather:

Answer 11

1. Rain
2. Snow
3. Fog
4. Ice
5. Sleet and Freezing Rain
6. Wind

Question 12

Rain is the most common cause of weather related fatalities…

Answer 12

1. Visibility (lowered)
2. Friction (loss)
3. Hydroplaning
4. Windshield Wipers
5. Window Fog

Question 13

Issues with visibility in rain:

Answer 13

1. Driving rain obscures forward sight distance
2. Driving rain at night can create additional hazards as effectiveness of headlights will be reduced.
3. Rain covered roads will make it more difficult to see the road markings
4. Rain can cover and obscure glass beads used as reflective material in many road markings

Question 14

Rain can have a significant effect on the __________________ of the roadway. (Especially within the first 30 minutes)

Answer 14

coefficient of friction

Question 15

Defogging a windshield:

Answer 15

1. Turn the temp setting to high heat
2. Turn on the defroster to full fan
3. Turn on air condition
4. Turn off vehicle recirculation and use fresh air
5. If defrosting is needed immediately, open a window

Question 16

Snow:

Answer 16

1. reduces forward visibility
2. Obscures signs
3. covers roadway markings
4. Night: block headlight beams

Question 17

Ice

Answer 17

Can increase stopping distance as much as 4x

Question 18

Black Ice

Answer 18

More common in shaded areas, on bridges, and under passes.

Question 19

Stiffer tires and air brakes will reduce the braking efficiency of the vehicle to approximately 65% that of a civilian vehicle.