Final answer:
To ensure the safety on a divided highway when a vehicle is stopped, reflectors should be placed near the vehicle, 30 feet behind it, and 10 feet from it, to alert oncoming traffic using the principles of a corner reflector.
Step-by-step explanation:
Placement of Reflectors on a Divided Highway
When a vehicle is stopped on a divided highway, it is crucial to place reflectors to warn other drivers and ensure safety. Reflectors should be placed as follows: one near the vehicle to draw immediate attention, another about 30 feet behind the vehicle to provide an early warning for approaching traffic, and the last one about 10 feet away from the vehicle. Reflectors are especially useful during nighttime or in low-visibility conditions because they use the principle of a corner reflector. This is a device with two mutually perpendicular reflecting surfaces, designed so that the light that enters is reflected back exactly parallel to the direction from which it came, making it highly visible to other drivers. This concept is similar to the one used in car headlights and bicycle reflector buttons, which incorporate corner reflectors to direct beams of light effectively.
Reflectors are an essential safety tool, often overlooked until they are needed. Placing reflectors correctly can prevent accidents and save lives by alerting oncoming drivers to the presence of a stopped vehicle.