Lifestyle

Safety Tips for Driving at Night

It can be tempting to go for a drive at night, whether you’re looking to clear your head or avoid peak rush-hour traffic. While going for a nighttime drive certainly has its benefits, driving at this time also presents more dangers than a daytime trip. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than half of unrestrained fatal crashes occur at nighttime. Given the relatively higher risk of nighttime driving and increasing ratio of speeding tickets, it’s best to have https://missouritraffictickets.com on your speed dial for any unpleasant situation.

Potential Hazards of Nighttime Driving

Driving at dawn, dusk, or during the dead of night presents unique challenges that may test the skills of even an experienced motorist. Some potential hazards to be aware of include:

  1.  A lack of light & reduced visibility: It goes without saying, but it gets quite dark at night. Particularly if you’re traveling on country roads or a poorly-lit freeway, it can be challenging to see what is in front of or behind your vehicle.   Low lighting can negatively impact peripheral vision, color recognition, and depth perception of other vehicles or guardrail This makes it more challenging to view and respond to obstacles, avoid wildlife, or maintain a safe following distance. Elderly drivers or motorists with impaired vision may struggle.
  2. Headlight glare: A car’s headlights are able to produce two different kinds of glare that can impair another driver’s vision. Discomfort glare occurs when a person views a bright light. It can make drivers take their eyes off the road, drift into another lane, or slow unexpectedly. Disability glare occurs when stray light impairs visibility and hinders a driver’s ability to see.
  3. Drunk drivers: One of the hazards of driving at night is an increased risk of encountering drunk or impaired drivers. An impaired driver will have slower reaction times, poor judgment, and a reduced ability to keep their vehicle in its proper lane of travel. 
  4. Drowsy driving: Most motorists are aware of the hazard of drunk or impaired driving, but drowsy driving can be as dangerous in some cases. Drowsy driving can reduce a motorist’s reaction times, impair cognitive thinking, and reduce a person’s ability to control their car. 

Although the challenges of driving at night can be overcome, they do increase the risk of experiencing a car crash. A car accident lawyer in Portland may be able to help if you experience a collision caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver. 

How to Safely Drive at Night

Driving at night can be challenging, especially for younger motorists without much experience behind the wheel. We’ve included some tips and strategies to help drivers enjoy their next trip after dark. 

Get Sufficient Rest Before Getting Behind the Wheel

Driving while tired can be dangerous. Even if you don’t fall asleep behind the wheel, your reaction time will be slower than usual, which increases the risk of getting into an accident. By getting sufficient rest, you can be more attentive to the road.

Check Your Headlights

The amount of light put out by your vehicle’s headlights can be affected by the cleanliness of your car and the state of the lightbulbs themselves. If you are unable to see clearly at night, you may want to have the lamp assembly cleaned or replaced. Some cars have a switch that allows you to adjust the angle of the headlights if you notice they aren’t providing enough light. For other vehicle models, you’ll need to have the lamps adjusted by a mechanic. 

Use a Mirror Dimmer

If the car behind you has their high beam headlights turned on, the reflection off your rearview and side mirrors can be blinding. This may reduce your ability to see behind your car and adjust to any hazards. While many vehicles have auto-dimming mirrors that can reduce the impact on your driving ability, you should know where the manual dimmer switch is and how to use it.

Use High Beams Correctly

Your vehicle’s high beam headlights can help you see further ahead, giving you more time and space to adjust to obstacles in your path. Keep in mind that you should toggle your high beam lights off if there is oncoming traffic, as your lights may blind drivers traveling in the opposite direction. High beam lights are particularly effective on low-lit roadways, such as country highways. 

Drive Cautiously

Even with your high beams on, you will not be able to see as far as you would if you were driving in daylight. Be sure to maintain a safe traveling speed that gives you plenty of time to slow down, stop, or change lanes to avoid obstructions. When changing lanes, always use your turn indicators so that other drivers understand what your intentions are. By being more predictable to other drivers, you help keep everyone safe on the road. 

Practice Defensive Driving & Prioritize Your Safety 

Anytime you are driving when there is limited visibility, you should practice defensive driving and take any measures necessary to protect yourself and your vehicle’s occupants. Be sure to drive at a safe speed, use your high beams properly, and maintain a safe following distance behind other vehicles. We hope these tips help you enjoy a safe, uneventful drive the next time you’re out past dark!

 

18 thoughts on “Safety Tips for Driving at Night

  • Thank you for sharing

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  • Great tips. I hate driving at night. I admit I can’t see the greatest so I move slow.

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  • Some good tips! Personally, I don’t like driving at night because of the glare.

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  • I try not to drive at night anymore as the glare from the other cars makes it difficult
    For me.

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  • I am not a fan of night driving. I think as I get older, my vision isn’t as great as it used to be. These are useful tips for driving after dark.

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  • I don’t like driving at night. My car has tinted windows and that makes it hard to see.

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  • Safety is what’s most important. These are all really great and very helpful tips

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  • As I got older, the less I liked driving at night. These are great tips!

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  • Headlight glare always bothers me when I’m driving at night! Those are great tips for safer driving at night!

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  • I don’t like to drive at night. Maybe following your advice I will feel more confident!

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  • I don’t drive often at night but I’m always cautious.

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  • I am glad to hear about it! I appreciate the tips you’ve shared and found them helpful! I will definitely keep these in mind

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  • I just learned about the mirror dimmer on the rear view mirror. It’s been there my whole life and I just discovered it. Better late than never, I guess. 🙂

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  • I have never thought about the mirror dimmer. I will have to look into that. Thanks for the tips!

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  • Thank you for sharing these amazing tips. I don’t drive at night; I don’t go anyway when I get home from work.

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  • I have astigmatism and driving at night isn’t so fun. I don’t like the star lights and I don’t see quite as well as I do during the day. I try to avoid night driving as much as possible.

    Reply

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