Let us assume that you are driving along at night. You can see a large truck approaching you from in front.

    What do you do?

    Firstly..... do not panic. The blokes driving these things are usually very competent. Do not look towards their lights, for a start.

    The headlights of a large truck are about the same height as your eyes. All you will do is blind yourself!

    Watch the on - coming truck with your peripheral vision, but watch the edge of the road about 3/4 of the way to the end of the area that is lit up by your lights in front of you.

    This will allow you to retain some vision, will show you enough of the road to judge where to drive and allow you to avoid a catastrophic encounter with his bullbar!

    Next , I suggest you slow down a little so as to ensure complete control of your own vehicle. Above all, make all your movements smoothly. The key to any manoeuvre in a motor vehicle is to ensure that you do NOT do anything in a jerky manner.

    Another thing that is neglected by many inexperienced drivers is to dip (turn your bright lights off - for Americans) your lights early. Forget the rubbish in the book about 200 Meters. With modern headlights (especially LED's), you will have been dazzling the truckie (or any approaching driver) for a considerable distance. If he/she is dazzled by your lights, there is a good chance that he/she will have difficulty being able to judge where your car is!

    Now I don't know about you, but I prefer to avoid having to wipe myself off large, fast moving objects. It is uncomfortable, and a little hard on the nerves!

    My suggestion is that as soon as the oncoming vehicle is in line with where your beams are pointing, then dip them! Take a note of what the professionals do!

    It is a safe bet that 95% or better will be selecting low beam in the manner that I have explained.

    If you happen to be catching up to another vehicle, do likewise! I am here to tell you that there is little that is more annoying than to have some idiot who fails to dip his/her lights.

    Remember, by law, truckies have to have those 2 enormous great mirrors focused behind them at a point equidistant.

    If you have "driving" lights, you may be dead set blinding the poor fellow. This makes it dangerous for him or her, and I am sure that they will show their appreciation one way or another!

    Imagine being blinded in this manner dozens of times during the night. Many a time I arrived at my destination the next morning with my eyes looking like a couple of ripe tomatoes, and a mood to match.

    Should the oncoming vehicle fail to dip their lights, what do you do? The law says that you must dip your lights, slow down and pull over to the side of the road if you are dazzled. This is a good idea! Let's face it, if a stud bull walks out in front of you and you fail to see it because your vision is gone, you may get more than a little fresh meat!

    May I suggest that before you get to the stage that you cannot see, just give the person coming at you a little "reminder" that they have not yet selected "low" beam.

    A really ( and I mean very brief ) flash on and off high beam will probably accomplish this.

    I might add, that at law, what I have just suggested is illegal, so a little common sense applies! At the same time, prepare to do as the law decrees.

    My reasoning is simple. Two reasons, really. Over a long distance, you may be stopping every other kilometre.

    This is impractical. In addition to this, some mug is going to run over you sooner or later if you keep stopping.

    It is difficult to give suggestions for all situations, as every event has to be taken on it's merit, and all current parameters taken into account.

    I cannot possibly second guess every headlight and passing manoeuvre at night. Common sense is the key in this and every driving situation