8 Ways To Stay Safe Driving At Night
Driving at night time is a completely different experience than driving during the day. In fact driving at night is potentially dangerous unless you take good care and attention. Unless you passed your driving test in the depths of winter and had the majority of your lessons in the evening, most people don’t experience the hazards of driving in poor light conditions until they pass.
Driving at night can be problematic due to your vision being affected by darkness accompanied by glare from headlights and poor weather conditions. When we drive at night time we are often tired from a hard day at work or just due to the lateness of the hour.
Vision is a huge consideration which is why emergency vehicles use lighting as well as sirens on their vehicles as a way of gaining your attention – it is important for them to be seen in the poorest of conditions.
Research has shown that road accident fatalities can be up to three times higher during nighttime hours. It is essential to drive as safely as possible.
The following tips will help you to stay safe when driving at night.
Take advanced driving lessons
If you didn’t experience much night time driving during your lessons, it would be worth considering taking some advanced driving lessons. You will be able to experience night driving as well as get guidance on improving your vision of the road, adjusting your driving to accommodate light levels and adverse weather conditions. You will also experience motorway driving with the safety of dual controls to give reassurance. Driving on motorways at night and in poor weather conditions can cause a huge amount of spray, which also affects your vision.
Use your headlights correctly
Many modern cars make the decision of when to turn on the headlights for you, but it’s not good practice to rely on this. It is fairly obvious that you need to use headlights that are dipped when it is dark, but you may also need them, or at least your side lights at dusk and dawn. Low level lighting can present the same if not more problems with vision as full darkness. Turn on your headlights during adverse weather conditions such as rain and fog.
Ensure you check that your headlights are in full working order and replace bulbs as necessary. It is also important to check that your headlights are dipped at an appropriate angle, too high and you will dazzle other road users, too low and you won’t be able to see too far ahead of you.
When driving on unlit roads you can use your headlights on full beam rather than dipped, however once a car drives towards you make sure you dip your headlights again so that you don’t impair the vision of the other driver.
Adhere to stopping distances
Adhering to stopping distances is important at all times, but especially important at night. Travel at a safe distance from other drivers, allowing plenty of time to brake if needed. If you drive too closely to the driver in front your headlights will dazzle the other driver via their mirror, this is distracting as well as dangerous.
Another reason for travelling at a safe distance is your vision doesn’t allow you to see and therefore predict what is happening further up the road, this makes sudden braking more likely. Braking suddenly can cause skidding on the road or you just may not be able to stop in time.
Get your eyes checked
It is more important than ever to ensure your vision is corrected to its best ability when driving at night. There are also certain eye conditions that can impair your ability to see at night. Eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma will cause a haze around headlights, making your vision blurry. Your optician can advise you on corrective treatment. Your optician may also be able to prescribe glasses with specially coated lenses to lower glare.
Keep your car clean
This serves the purpose of making your car look good as well, as more importantly enabling your cars lights and reflectors to work effectively. Grime from the road can cover headlights quite quickly, making them inefficient. Give headlights a polish before you set off on your journey.
Windscreens should also be kept clean. Salt, dead flies and dust can build up, impairing vision. Make sure your windscreen washer is topped up and the blades on your windscreen wipers work.
Take a break
Driving when you are tired is dangerous, especially at night. Your reactions will be slower and you may even find yourself drifting off at the wheel. If you are travelling with another driver, take it in turns to drive (check insurance). If you’re travelling alone and feel that your driving is being affected by tiredness, take a break. The sheer concentration required for safe driving at night is immense, so plenty of stops are recommended.
For long road trips it may be worth factoring in a night in a hotel to break up your journey. For shorter trips a coffee, bar of chocolate and a walk in the fresh air may suffice.
Look away from headlights
When driving towards oncoming traffic with headlights on, look slightly to the side of the road to avoid getting dazzled. If you stare at oncoming headlights you will be temporarily blinded! Adjust your driving mirror to avoid full-on glare from headlights behind you.
You could consider buying some night vision driving glasses. Some people find them useful at reducing glare and brightening your vision, but some people don’t find them useful at all! It’s worth testing a pair.
Lower your speed
Lowering your speed at night time will allow more reaction time. Hazards will be avoided more easily, as you won’t reach them as quickly.
When driving at night, particularly on unlit roads you are only ever able to see as far as your headlights illuminate. Your stopping distance should therefore be the same distance as your headlights reach.
Stay safe!