While someone else already explained what was going on, as someone who HAS stood in the roadway on a rural highway to warn incoming drivers about a tree on the road, it is surprising how close you can get and not notice a giant tree fallen into the roadway.

Properly adjusted lights don’t illuminate things up high, and the grey/brown muck that is the road and the tree in the dark isn’t illuminated until it is way too late. Mind you, this was in an area where the only light was the moon and stars, so you aren’t going to be seeing much outside of your headlights because your eyes are adjusted to that little patch of yellow. The bit of reflective lighting down low just might help some folks.