Driving at night can be dangerous. This is not surprising, as an increasing number of road accidents take place in night as compared to daylight hours. Visibility on the roads are lowered at night, and sometimes, the glare of lights from other vehicles interferes with our ability to concentrate well. Many of the road signs are reflective so it makes sense to drive slowly especially when in an unfamiliar area or while turning corners. Below, we give you some safety tips that will keep you safe on the road while driving at night.

When using your vehicle at night, you can keep in mind the following safety tips that will make for a safer driving experience.

Always Drive Sober

Statistics indicate that one of the major causes of fatal road accidents is drinking and driving. It is important to be sober before getting behind the wheel. You do not want to spoil your driving record by being arrested while driving under the influence. People who drink and drive pose a danger to not only their own lives but also of others on the road.

Don’t Drive When Tired

Driver fatigue is another common cause of car accidents. You should never drive when tired, as there are chances that you will doze off while on the road. Tiredness also increases the possibility that you will be distracted or slow to react to the actions of other drivers and conditions on the road. 

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Clean Up Your Windshield

Always make sure to clean your car mirror and windshield before you take your vehicle on the road. Not paying attention to this minor detail can increase the chances of accidents as it scatters light and increases glare. Keeping your headlights clean is equally important because dirty or damaged headlights decrease visibility and cause glare for oncoming drivers. If you want to be safe, clean your headlights and windshields regularly.

Choose Safer Routes

If you have a choice, always take the route that is easier and less crowded at night. Highways with two lanes can pose a safety hazard for nighttime drivers as you have to deal with lower lights on the road and glare from other drivers’ vehicles and turns and hills. It is better to choose the freeway to avoid these complications of driving at night.

Reduce Speed

It is always recommended to drive slowly and carefully while remaining within the speed limits. If you drive at high speeds at night, it will take time for your vehicle to slow down even after applying emergency brakes. You also have to take into account the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, as well as the conditions of the road.

Experienced Pittsburgh car accident lawyers have handled cases in which speeding significantly impacts the result of injuries in an accident. At the same time, lower visibility at night can also cause a delay in a driver’s reaction time. Rash and speedy driving contribute to as much as one third of all vehicle accidents when it comes to nighttime driving.

Look at the Angle of Your Headlights

You will need to review the angle of your vehicle’s headlights from time to time. If the lights have been tilted down too much, the beams will not be able to shine too much ahead. Tilting them too high will shine the light directly onto oncoming drivers, resulting in blinding lights for them. Either situation can be dangerous. You should have a car repair and maintenance shop look at the angle of your headlight so see that they are tilted at the correct angle for safe driving.

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Make Proper Use of High Beams

When driving on the open road or in less travelled areas, it is best to use high-beam lighting to see the road ahead clearly. You may be surprised by an approaching car. Be sure to dim the lights when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. There are vehicles with adaptive lighting technology that automatically adjust high beams. Contact a car maintenance workshop so see if your vehicle can be fitted out with such a system.

Adjust Interior Lighting

You should also consider the effects of lighting inside your vehicle. Sometimes, the lights of the dashboard of your car are too bright.This can cause a temporary distraction as you look up from them to the dark conditions of the road ahead of you. Such a situation can be disorienting. If you dim the dashboard lights at night to a more comfortable level, they will pose less of a risk to you as well as oncoming drivers on the road.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

This is the best way to drive safely at night. Avoid the glare of lights from approaching vehicles and do not stare fixedly on the road. It will tire out your eyes. Shift your vision temporarily to the right in case of an oncoming vehicle to avoid being blinded by the effect of its glaring headlights. You can look back after you have passed the vehicle.

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Look out for Animals

It is not uncommon to find deer or other animals wandering on the road at night, especially in winter. If you do see an animal on the road while driving in a rural or desolate area, it is best to slow down or stop and shine your headlights so that the animal moves away. Your light beams will help you spot the animal in time to avoid a mishap.

Get Your Vision Checked

We don’t mean to alarm you, but getting your vision checked once every six months will reassure you that it is all right for you to drive at night. Vision can deteriorate as you age. If you have difficulty seeing at night, get better prescription glasses that will help you drive more safely.

Test and Use the Lights on Your Car

It is a good practice to use and test all your car’s lights once every two weeks or so. This includes high beams, low beams, brake lights, turn indicators, and daytime running lights. Also, be sure to make use of your headlights so that you are visible to other vehicles while on the road. Always turn them on in the dark, whether this is caused by the night or bad weather conditions such as rain or storms.

Conclusion

If you keep in mind the above tips while driving at night, you will be more likely to have a safer and uneventful experience. It will keep both you and your passengers safe and make driving at night more pleasurable for you.