10 Tips for Safe Driving at Night
Driving at night requires special attention due to visibility issues. It is why drivers should be extra careful when driving at night. Here are some tips to make your night driving safer.
Dim Your Instrument Panel and Dash Lights
Dimming your instrument penal and dash lights is important when driving at night. The large infotainment screens and bright dashboard LEDs create many sources of unnecessary and distracting lights inside a vehicle that can reduce your visibility. Dimming dash lights can remove reflections on the windshield and makes it easy to improve visibility by allowing your eyes to adjust with the darkness ahead.
Other lights can also cause problem at night and may cause distraction when driving at night.
Reduce Distractions
It is not good if you are continuously distracted while driving at night. Avoiding distractions is recommended in the daylight and it requires even more attention at night. Two of the most popular distractions are mobile phone and radio.
Do Not Wear the Wrong Glasses
Do you wear glasses? In case you do choosing the correct glasses to wear at night is crucial. Glasses add another reflective surface between the road and driver’s eyes. The best option you should go for is Prescription lenses with anti-reflective coating. You can find many glasses for wearing at night. However, choose the one that is specifically for night driving.
Don’t Stare at Oncoming Lights
When driving at night, bright lights can impede your concentration. At night your eyes get used to the dark road. It is very easy to get distracted by a bright road sign or the headlight of a bigger truck heading your way without realizing it. It is recommended to turn your gaze away from other lights on the road. Avoid looking at oncoming high beams.
Combat Fatigue
Night driving is dangerous because you may experience fatigue or tiredness. If you become sleepy during night driving, make arrangements to stay awake on the road. Alternatively, You can ask other peoples to drive the car.
Give Your Windshield a Wipe with Newspaper
Windshield wipers may look clean during the day. On the night these may reveal streaks which can cause glare. It is a good idea to polish glass with newspaper to remove residue. Do not touch the inside surface of your windshield, side windows, or mirrors with your hands. Your skin oil will smear and it will cause the light to glare when it shines through any place where you touched the glass.
Clean and Adjust Your Exterior Mirrors
Cleaning your dirty mirrors is important like clearing dirty windshield. Dirty mirrors can also reflect and distort light that distract driver. Cleaning the mirrors is important because these can reflect light from behind you in a wider shape that can cause glare in your eyes. Moreover, aim the exterior mirrors correctly.
Watch for Wildlife
Collisions with wildlife often happen at night. Your car’s high beams can be helpful as you can spot glowing eyes of an animal. In case you have seen them, slow down and stop. It is necessary to avoid any accident.
Use High Beams When Appropriate
High beams can be very helpful when driving in rural areas or open roads. However, do not forget to dim these lights when you are within 500 feet of oncoming vehicle. Additionally, the usage of these lights is not recommended if you are following another vehicle.
Slow Down
Speed is a major factor behind many crashes at night. It is due to visibility issues and shorter reaction times. It is recommended to adjust your speed to take condition into account.
