If you have trouble seeing other vehicles because of dust or smoke blowing across the roadway, you should drive more slowly and turn on your:
- Emergency flashers.
- Parking lights.
- Headlights. ✓
Answer: C. Headlights.
Slow down and turn on your headlights when dust or smoke makes it hard to see other vehicles.
Why this is the answer
The California handbook lists dust and smoke among the conditions that prevent you from seeing other vehicles, and it says to use your headlights in that situation. It also explains that headlights help you see ahead and help other drivers see you. For heavy smoke or fog, the handbook says to drive slowly and use low beams, since high beams can reflect back and cause glare. So slowing down and switching on headlights matches the handbook's guidance for limited visibility.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Emergency flashers. — Emergency flashers are mentioned for when fog gets too thick to drive safely and you pull off the road, not as the lights to use while continuing slowly through dust or smoke.
- B. Parking lights. — Parking lights alone are not enough; the handbook says it is illegal to drive using only parking lights and tells drivers never to drive using only parking or fog lights.
Remember it
When dust or smoke hides other cars, think see and be seen: slow down and click on the headlights.