What is the primary danger of overdriving your headlights at night?

Overdriving your headlights means that you are driving faster than what your headlights can illuminate, which directly affects your ability to see and react to obstacles or hazards on the road. When you cannot see far enough ahead, you may not have adequate time to respond to potential dangers, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or road conditions.

This situation is particularly dangerous at night when visibility is already limited. If you are traveling at a speed that exceeds your headlight range, you may encounter an obstacle or danger that is not illuminated in time to stop safely. Consequently, this increases the likelihood of accidents.

While encountering wildlife, road signs visibility, and glare can also be concerns related to nighttime driving, the crux of overdriving your headlights is primarily about the inability to stop safely within the illuminated distance. It's essential to drive at a speed that allows you to react to what you can see within the range of your headlights to ensure your safety and that of other road users.