Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...

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Headlights. At night your headlights will usually be
the main source of light for you and for others to see
you. You cannot see as much with your headlights
as you can see in the daytime. With low beams,
you can see ahead about 250 feet and with high
beams about 300–500 feet. You must adjust your
speed to keep your stopping distance within your
sight distance. This means going slowly enough to
be able to stop within the range of your headlights.
Otherwise, by the time you see a hazard, you will
not have time to stop.
Night driving can be more dangerous if you have
problems with your headlights. Dirty headlights
may give only half the light they should. This
reduces your ability to see, and makes it harder
for others to see you. Make sure your lights are
clean and working, and in adjustment. If out of
adjustment, they do not give you a good view and
they can blind other drivers.
You must turn on your headlights:
• from a half hour after sunset to a half hour
before sunrise, or
• if snow, rain, fog, or other hazardous weather
condition require the use of windshield wipers,
or
• when visibility is not sufficient to clearly see
a person or a vehicle for a distance of 1,000
feet (CVC §§280 and 24400).
No vehicle may be driven with only parking lights
on. However, they may be used as signals or when
the headlamps are also lighted (CVC §24800).
Other lights. In order for you to be seen easily,
the following must be clean and working properly
(CVC §25100):
• Reflectors.
• Marker and clearance lights.
• Taillights.
• Identification lights.
Turn signals and brake lights. At night your turn
signals and brake lights are even more important
for telling other drivers what you intend to do.
Make sure you have clean, working turn signals
and stop lights.
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Windshields and mirrors. It is more important at
night than in the daytime to have clean windshields
and mirrors. Dirt on your windshield or mirrors can
cause bright lights at night to create a glare of its
own, blocking your view. Clean your windshield
on the inside and outside for safe driving.
night driving proCedures
Make sure you are rested and alert. If you are
drowsy, sleep before you drive. Even a nap can
save your life or the lives of others. If you wear eye
glasses, make sure they are clean and unscratched.
Don’t wear sun glasses at night. Do a complete
pre-trip inspection of your vehicle. Pay attention
to checking all lights and reflectors and cleaning
those you can reach.
Avoid blinding others. Glare from your headlights
can cause problems for drivers coming toward you
as well as drivers going in your direction. Dim your
lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and
when following another vehicle within 300 feet.
Avoid glare from oncoming vehicles. Do not
look directly at lights of oncoming vehicles. Look
slightly to the right at a right lane or edge marking,
if available. If other drivers don’t put their low
beams on, don’t try to “get back at them” by putting
your own high beams on. This increases glare for
oncoming drivers and increases the chance of a
collision.
Use high beams when you can. Many drivers
make the mistake of always using low beams. This
cuts down on your ability to see ahead. Use high
beams when it is safe and legal to do so. Use them
unless you are within 500 feet of an approaching
vehicle or are following another vehicle within 300
feet. Also, don’t let the inside of your cab get too
bright. This makes it harder to see outside. Keep
the interior light off and adjust your instrument
lights as low as you can and still be able to read
the gauges.
If you get sleepy, stop driving. People often do
not realize how close they are to falling asleep. If
you look or feel sleepy, stop driving! You are in
a very dangerous condition. The only safe cure
is to sleep.