Driving at Night and Construction Zones

Question 1

Pedestrians, road markings, and other vehicles are more difficult to identify and recognize at night. Under nighttime driving conditions, you should reduce normal speed, especially on unfamiliar roads.

The glare of oncoming headlights may also reduce vision. To avoid the effects of glare, do not look directly into the lights of an approaching vehicle but focus on the right side of the road.

Answer 1

Visibility

Question 2

Drivers are more likely to be tired while driving at night, and may have a higher risk for accidents. Avoid driving late at night, if possible, or driving at any time without enough sleep.

Be prepared to stop driving if you are unable to stay alert or experience any of the following signs of fatigue:

• Trouble focusing your vision.
• Having no memory of the last few minutes of your drive.
• Beginning to drift out of your lane.
• Failing to maintain a constant speed.
• Head nodding and feeling as though you are about to fall asleep.
  If you are feeling drowsy, let another person drive or find a safe area to pull
  over and rest. A driver’s efforts to stay awake when excessively tired, such as
  rolling down the windows or turning up the radio, are usually ineffective and
  may give a false sense of alertness.

Answer 2

Fatigue

Question 3

Drivers must use headlights between sunset and sunrise as well as at any other time in which visibility is less than 500 feet. Lower headlight beams must be used when approaching within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or
when following within 200 feet of the rear of another vehicle.

Answer 3

Headlights

Question 4

Good judgment and timing are needed to merge smoothly with fast-moving traffic on highways. When you enter an interstate on-ramp, stay to the right
and increase your speed in the acceleration lane to allow your car to merge with traffic when your path is clear. Drivers already on the interstate should
make allowances for those entering. However, drivers entering an interstate must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the interstate.

It is illegal to back up on an interstate highway to reach a missed exit. If you miss an exit, you must drive to the next exit. It is illegal for any vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, to make a U-turn by crossing the median of an interstate highway.

Except in the event of an emergency or a disabled vehicle, do not stop or park a vehicle on the shoulder of an interstate highway.

Trucks are restricted to the right lane on sections of interstate with two lanes in one direction and the right two lanes on sections of interstate with three lanes or more in one direction.

Answer 4

Driving on Interstate Highways

Question 5

Flashing arrow boards are often used to indicate a detour or “crossover.” In these cases, lane markings on the road, traffic cones, barrels or barricades will outline the path a vehicle must follow. A flashing arrow board not indicating
a direction either way is a signal to use caution but does not require a driver to move to another lane.

Answer 5

Work Zones

Question 6

At some work sites, one or more flaggers are posted at each end of the work zone to control traffic flow.

When approaching a flagger, reduce your speed when a flagger extends a red flag in a horizontal position into the line of traffic and you may proceed at a reduced speed only when directed to by the flagger.

If a flagger uses a signal paddle, you should stop or proceed slowly according to the “STOP” or “SLOW” message displayed on the sign.

Answer 6

Flagger Signals

Question 7

Work zones pose dangers both for drivers and for the workers. Be respectful of these dangers, and exercise caution whenever traveling in a work zone. The highest legal posted speed limit in a designated highway work site is 45 miles per hour and may be posted lower.

• Stay alert. Look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes, and highway workers.
• Pay attention. Work zone signs will state
  exactly what to expect ahead.
• Merge early. If merging at first sight of
  signs, traffic will flow more smoothly.
• Slow down. If you are speeding when you approach a work zone you will encounter slowed or stopped traffic within seconds.
• Don’t tailgate. Maintain a safe distance on all sides of your vehicle.
• Minimize distractions.
• Plan ahead and expect delays.

Answer 7

Work Zone Safety Driving Tips