What does overdriving your headlights refer to?

Overdriving your headlights refers specifically to the situation where a driver is traveling at a speed that exceeds the distance their headlights illuminate the road ahead. This means that the driver cannot see far enough down the road to safely react to obstacles or changes in traffic conditions. When a driver is overdriving their headlights, they may not have enough time to stop for a hazard that appears within the range of light cast by the headlights, making it a significant safety concern, especially at night or in low-light conditions.

In contrast to this, driving too fast in a residential area involves following rules about local speed limits and being mindful of pedestrians and residential traffic but doesn't necessarily relate to visibility. Driving at a speed that reduces visibility in darkness can overlap with the concept but does not define the term specifically. Driving slower than the speed limit may reflect cautious behavior but does not pertain to the issue of headlight illumination and reaction time.