Which factor is essential in ensuring safety during taxiing at night?

Following taxi lines stringently is essential for ensuring safety during taxiing at night because these visual aids help pilots maintain the correct path along the taxiway. At night, visibility can be significantly reduced, making it challenging to discern the aircraft’s exact position relative to the surrounding environment. Taxi lines provide a clearly defined route that aids in spatial orientation and helps prevent the aircraft from straying into areas where it shouldn't be, such as active runways or crowded ramp areas.

Maintaining strict adherence to the taxi lines is especially important when other visual references may be obscured or difficult to see due to darkness. Pilots must rely on these lines to navigate and ensure that they are safely maneuvering the aircraft without the risk of collisions or accidents on the ground.