Night Driving, Rain and Skids

Key points

1. Do not over drive your headlights; drive slowly enough to stop within the distance you can see.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “do not drive so fast that you cannot stop within the distance you can see.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

2. Use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle you follow.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “You are required by law to use your low beams when you approach within five hundred (500) feet of an oncoming vehicle or when you are following within five hundred (500) feet of another vehicle.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

3. Use lights from sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see clearly 500 feet ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “You should use your lights between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when you cannot see clearly ahead for a distance of five hundred (500) feet.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

4. Never drive with only parking lights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Do not drive with only your parking lights turned on.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

5. Use low beams with street lights, when following, and in fog day or night.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Always use the lower beam when driving where there are street lights, when following another car, and in fog during night or day.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

6. Never wear darkened glasses at night to fight glare.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Never attempt to compensate for this difficulty by wearing darkened glasses.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 51

7. The first minutes of rain are the most dangerous, as water mixes with dirt and grease.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “the opening minutes of rain or drizzle are actually the most dangerous.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 54

8. In a skid, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid, but only if you will not run off the road or hit something.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “If your vehicle starts to skid, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid, but only if you can do so without running off the road or hitting something.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 54

9. In a blowout, do not brake suddenly; take your foot off the gas and brake slowly.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “If you have a flat tire or blowout, do not apply your brakes suddenly. Take your foot off the accelerator, and then apply the brakes slowly and cautiously.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 54

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle, or of a vehicle you are following, does Mississippi law require low beams?

   1. 1,000 feet oncoming and 300 feet following
   2. 500 feet in both cases
   3. 200 feet in both cases
   4. Only when the other driver flashes you
   Show answer

   500 feet in both cases. Mississippi requires low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 500 feet of a vehicle you are following. The 1,000 and 300 foot pair comes from other states, and 200 feet is too close. Waiting for another driver to flash you is not the rule. High beams are for open country without other cars near, and low beams are also the right choice in fog.

2. 2. Which headlights should be used while driving in fog?

   1. The lower beams
   2. The high beams only
   3. Parking lights without headlights
   4. No lights until the fog lifts
   Show answer

   The lower beams. Fog scatters the brighter beam and can make the air in front of the vehicle look even more opaque. The manual directs drivers to use the lower beam in fog during either night or day. High beams can reduce visibility, while parking lights alone do not provide the needed headlight illumination. Reduce speed as well, because the useful sight distance is short and stopping space disappears quickly.

3. 3. Why can the opening minutes of rain make the roadway especially dangerous?

   1. Rain removes all oil from the roadway before traffic arrives
   2. Rain immediately dries the pavement and reduces tire grip
   3. The first drops make brakes work more strongly than usual
   4. Water loosens dirt and grease, forming a dangerously slick film
   Show answer

   Water loosens dirt and grease, forming a dangerously slick film. At the beginning of a rain or drizzle, water mixes with accumulated dirt and grease on the pavement. That mixture coats the road with a slick film, so traction can fall before a driver has adjusted speed. The idea that rain dries pavement reverses the hazard described in the manual. Reduce speed as soon as rain starts, especially before curves, turns, or braking. A useful cue is the first change in pavement sheen: treat it as a warning to ease off the accelerator and leave extra room.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, Driving at Night and Hazardous Conditions. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.