Final answer:
When driving at night, always ensure you can stop within the distance lit by your car's headlights. Total stopping distance depends on road conditions and reaction time. In exceptional circumstances, rules may be bent for greater utility, but caution and safety should always be maintained.
Step-by-step explanation:
When driving at night, be sure that you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights. This means that the distance covered before hitting the brakes and the stopping distance need to be within the range of your headlights' beam. Factors such as road conditions and driver reaction time play a significant role in determining the total stopping distance. For instance, wet pavement can increase the distance it takes for a car to stop compared to dry pavement. Drivers must also consider their reaction time which includes the moment they perceive a hazard and the time it takes to physically apply the brakes.
In emergency scenarios, such as when transporting a pregnant woman to the hospital, it may be necessary to break certain traffic rules, such as stopping at a red light, to ensure a greater utility or benefit. However, this is an exception rather than the rule and should be weighed carefully considering the potential risks.
Measuring the time and distance it takes to stop a car provides practical insights for drivers. For example, driving a car at exactly 50 mph and then applying the brakes until it stops helps to record this distance and/or time, underpinning safe driving practices and adherence to traffic laws.