Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Permit Practice Test

What is the correct procedure if visibility decreases while driving?

1. Pull over and stop using hazard lights

2. Turn on your windshield wipers

3. Accelerate to maintain speed

4. Put on high beam headlights

The correct answer is: Pull over and stop using hazard lights

When visibility decreases while driving, the correct procedure is to pull over and stop using hazard lights. This action ensures your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. By pulling over, you remove yourself from the potential hazards of poor visibility, allowing other vehicles to pass without risk of collision. Activating your hazard lights signals to other drivers that your vehicle is stationary and may be facing an issue, alerting them to proceed with caution. While turning on windshield wipers can be helpful in rain or similar conditions, it does not address the overall safety of being on the road when visibility is compromised. Accelerating to maintain speed is dangerous as it could lead to a loss of control or collision, particularly in conditions of low visibility. Using high beam headlights in fog or heavy rain can actually make visibility worse by causing light to reflect back, creating glare. Thus, safely pulling over with hazard lights is the most responsible and effective response when visibility decreases.