> they should have been able to light up the roadway about 286 feet ahead
But when that person was 286 feet away from the vehicle - she was also way off to its left. Headlights mostly light up what’s ahead of you, not what’s on your side. Unless I am missing something.
> Headlights mostly light up what’s ahead of you, not what’s on your side.
Good headlamps should have a uniform and widely distributed beam pattern which should be able to light up at least the lane of traffic you're in, as well as the shoulder and several lanes to the left.
But when that person was 286 feet away from the vehicle - she was also way off to its left. Headlights mostly light up what’s ahead of you, not what’s on your side. Unless I am missing something.