When driving at night on a dimly lit street, what is the safest action to take?

Driving slowly enough to stop within the area illuminated by your headlights is essential for safety, particularly when navigating dimly lit streets at night. Headlights typically cast light only a limited distance ahead, and at night, visibility can be significantly reduced due to lack of street lighting. By adjusting your speed to a level where you can come to a complete stop within the illuminated area, you give yourself ample time to react to any unexpected obstacles, such as pedestrians, animals, or other vehicles that may appear suddenly in your path. This approach enhances your ability to maintain control of the vehicle and adapt to any situation that arises in your limited line of sight.

Other methods, like driving at the speed limit regardless of visibility, may not account for the reduced visibility at night, potentially leading to unsafe situations. Utilizing high beams at all times can cause glare for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. Focusing on street lights while ignoring headlights detracts from the necessary attention to the roadway illuminated by your own lights, which is critical for safe driving in low visibility conditions. Thus, adjusting your speed to ensure you can stop within the range of your headlights is the prudent choice in this scenario.