Geared to Go A Workbook for Coaching New Drivers

Driving after dark in rural areasA quiet country road, preferably the same one used for daytime practice, should be used for the newdriver to gain experience while driving in darkness.Driving after dark in rural areas requires the use of high and low beam lights. Have the learner becomeaccustomed to using them. Explain about the proper distances for dimming high beam lights wheneverapproaching an oncoming vehicle (300 metres) or following another vehicle (150 metres).9• Use high beams when it is safe to do so without affecting the vision of other drivers.• Do not overdrive the headlights. In other words, do not drive so fast that it would be impossible tostop the vehicle in time to avoid what the headlights illuminate.• Slow down on gravel roads. Loose gravel can cause loss of control of the vehicle. It is difficult to judgethe dangers of loose gravel under night driving conditions.• Be alert for pedestrians or animals on or near the road.Since many rural roads are gravel and do not have a centre line, help the new driver learn to judge thecentre of the road under high and low beam light conditions. The same applies to judging the right edgeof the roadway by noticing the difference in contrast between the gravel road and the grass in the ditch.Stay Safe – Headlights and Warning SignsRemember that headlights do not follow curves, hills and dips in the road. To compensate, reducespeed and pay special attention to road warning signs such as curve, winding road, bump, narrowbridge, roadway narrows and slippery when wet.Driving after dark on highways• Pay attention when entering and exiting highways after dark. It is similar to daytime procedures asmost of these areas or interchanges are lit up after dark. However, watch for ‘Wrong Way’ and ‘DoNot Enter’ signs near entry and exit ramps that might not be as obvious in the dark.• Ensure that, on roadways, the yellow line is always to the left of the vehicle.• Maintain a safe following distance. Increase the following distance after dark to allow for reduced orlimited visibility.• Do not drive faster than the posted speed limit.75