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dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn't
lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow down
a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. If there is a line
of opposing traffic, make occasional glances over the line of headlights to
make certain that one of the vehicles isn't starting to move into your lane.
Once you are past the bright lights, give your eyes time to readjust before
resuming speed.
High Beams
If the vehicle approaching you has its high beams on, signal by flicking
yours to high and then back to low beam. This is the usual signal to lower
the headlight beams. If the other driver still doesn't lower the beams,
resist the temptation to put your high beams on. This only makes two
half-blinded drivers.
On a freeway, use your high beams only in remote areas where you won't
impair approaching drivers. In some places, like cities, using high beams
is illegal.
When you follow another vehicle on a freeway or highway, use low
beams. True, most vehicles now have day-night mirrors that enable the
driver to reduce glare. But outside mirrors are not of this type and high
beams from behind can bother the driver ahead.
A Few More Night Driving Suggestions
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean
--
inside and
out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the
inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also
makes inside glass surfaces very filmy and can be a vision hazard if it's left
there.
Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. You might even want
to keep a cloth and some glass cleaner in your vehicle if you need to clean
your glass frequently.
Remember that your headlights light up far less of a roadway when you
are in a turn or curve.
Keep your eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly lighted
objects.
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