Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams in Oregon?
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A.
Within 100 feet.
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B.
Within 500 feet. Correct
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C.
Within 1,000 feet.
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D.
Within 350 feet.
The answer is "Within 500 feet."
If you're using your high beams, you must dim them when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. When following another vehicle, dim them within 350 feet (headlight glare in their rearview mirror can blind the driver ahead). The trap here is mixing up the two distances. When you're required to dim, other auxiliary lights such as fog lights must also be off; those extra lights make it difficult for oncoming drivers to see.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Within 100 feet.
100 feet is too close; your high beams have already blinded the oncoming driver well before that point. Misreading: Treats 100 feet as the dim distance; the manual sets it at 500 feet for oncoming traffic, and 100 feet is far too close to switch off high beams.
C. Within 1,000 feet.
The 500-foot rule applies to oncoming vehicles; 1,000 feet is a different rule entirely. Misreading: Confuses 1,000 feet (the visibility threshold that requires headlights to be on) with the 500-foot dimming distance for oncoming traffic.
D. Within 350 feet.
350 feet is the dimming distance when you are following another vehicle. For oncoming traffic, the distance is 500 feet. Misreading: Swaps the manual's two dimming distances, applying the 350-foot following-vehicle rule to oncoming traffic instead of the 500-foot oncoming rule.
This question tests your knowledge of Adverse Conditions in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Hazardous Conditions, Using Lights," p.76..
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