Rural roads and night driving

Key points

1. On gravel or dirt, reduce speed and increase following distance, because the vehicle may skid when stopping.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Drivers should reduce speed, increase the following distance and be aware that the vehicle may skid when trying to stop.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

2. At a narrow or single lane bridge, take turns; generally the first driver to the bridge goes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Take turns crossing the bridge; generally the first driver to the bridge has right-of-way.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

3. At an uncontrolled rural intersection, slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “When approaching an uncontrolled rural intersection slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

4. Use high beams when there are no oncoming vehicles and dim them for all approaching traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Use the high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles and dim the high beams for all approaching traffic.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

5. If an oncoming driver keeps high beams on, look toward the right side of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “look toward the right side of the road to keep from being distracted or momentarily blinded by their headlights.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

6. Use low beams in fog, rain or snow, because high beams cause glare.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “In fog, rain, or snow, use the low beams. Light from the high beams may cause glare and make it more difficult to see ahead.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

7. At night add at least 1 extra second of following distance, and at least 2 extra seconds on unfamiliar roads at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Increase the following distance by adding at least one additional second for night driving conditions and at least two additional seconds for driving on unfamiliar roadways at night.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 18

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. What does the New Hampshire manual say about reaching a narrow or single lane bridge on a rural road?

   1. Both vehicles may cross at once if they slow down
   2. The heavier vehicle always crosses first
   3. Take turns crossing, and generally the first driver to the bridge has the right of way
   4. The vehicle heading uphill must back up
   Show answer

   Take turns crossing, and generally the first driver to the bridge has the right of way. Rural roads can include narrow and single lane bridges, and the manual tells drivers to look for the warning signs that identify them and to take turns crossing. Generally the first driver to reach the bridge has the right of way. Weight and grade are not the deciding factors, and two vehicles cannot share a single lane bridge. Open bridge gratings and steel bridges are another rural hazard because they reduce traction, so slow down and keep a firm grip.

2. 2. An oncoming New Hampshire driver leaves the high beams on at night. Where should you look?

   1. Directly at the headlights so your eyes adjust
   2. At the center line
   3. Into the rearview mirror
   4. Toward the right side of the road
   Show answer

   Toward the right side of the road. Use high beams when there are no oncoming vehicles and dim them for all approaching traffic. If a vehicle coming the other way keeps its high beams on, look toward the right side of the road to keep from being distracted or momentarily blinded, using the fog line or the edge of the roadway as a guide. Staring into the lights or at the center line pulls you toward the glare. Use low beams when following another vehicle and in fog, rain or snow.

3. 3. How much extra following distance does the New Hampshire manual recommend on an unfamiliar road at night?

   1. At least one additional second
   2. At least five additional seconds
   3. No change from daytime
   4. At least two additional seconds
   Show answer

   At least two additional seconds. Night driving limits how far you can see to the reach of the headlights, so the manual adds time to the four second following distance. Add at least one additional second for night driving conditions, and at least two additional seconds when driving on unfamiliar roadways at night. One second is the ordinary night increase, five is more than the manual asks, and keeping the daytime gap ignores the shorter view. Search well ahead of the beams for dark shapes such as pedestrians or animals.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 5: Basic Driving. 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.