Headlights and dimming
Use your high beams on rural roads when no oncoming traffic is within about 500 feet and no car is within 200 feet ahead of you. Dim to low beams when either condition fails. Keeping high beams on when an oncoming driver is within range is illegal in every state and dangerous to both of you.
Manage glare
Looking directly at oncoming headlights destroys your night vision for several seconds. Train your eyes to focus on the right edge of your lane when an oncoming car approaches with bright lights. The white line gives you a steering reference and keeps the brightest light out of your direct field of vision.
Slow down
Outdrive your headlights and you cannot stop within the distance you can see. Headlights typically illuminate about 350 to 500 feet ahead with high beams and 150 to 250 feet with low beams. At 60 mph, total stopping distance is around 270 feet on dry pavement — that is most of your low-beam visibility consumed before you even react to a hazard.
Fatigue and impaired driving
Drowsy driving spikes after 10 p.m. If you feel a microsleep coming on, pull over immediately. Cool air and loud music delay it but do not prevent it. The percentage of impaired drivers on the road also rises sharply on weekend nights — increase your following distance and watch for cars that drift between lanes or follow inconsistent speeds.