Although most people only drive a quarter at night, 50% of traffic deaths occur at night.
It can be nerve-wracking knowing you have to drive late at night, but there are things you can do to make it easier and safer. Read below for some tips on driving at night.
- Fight fatigue
When you’re drowsy, you’re less likely to drive safely. The more tired you become, the less alert you become. Something simple that you might notice during the day that you might miss at night, especially if you haven’t rested.
To avoid this, do everything you can to keep yourself sane and on guard. Drink some caffeine, pull over to rest, or stop driving overnight.
You can also try listening to music, scrolling down, or talking to yourself or others. Don’t push it too far, though, and stop if you think you need a rest for your eyes and mind.
- Strengthen defense
Driving at night requires you to be more careful and conscious. You are more likely to come across drunk drivers, as well as other drivers who may be tired.
This means that being careless on the road will be more prone to collisions. Driving at night can be stressful, but if you know you’re on high alert, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be more likely to avoid an accident.
- Clean your windshield
Poor visibility is one of the most common reasons why driving at night is difficult. Whether you wear glasses or not, darkness mixed with oncoming headlights can create glare that makes driving more difficult.
You can avoid this by making sure you clean your windshield regularly. Dirty windshields can scatter light, increasing glare, making your eyes work harder.
You should also clean your headlights regularly to know that you’re getting optimal light and aren’t causing problems for other drivers.
- Stay slow
Whether you’re on a long road trip and need to drive overnight or it’s your job and you do it every day, going slow is essential for road safety.
When it’s late at night, you’ll automatically have lower visibility than during the day. That means you shouldn’t go as fast as day.
You may also have a slower reaction time if you feel fatigued, so it’s wise to give yourself more space if you need to slow down.
Go slowly, regardless of whether you are driving on an empty road or on a major highway. You never know what will come your way, and driving slowly will help you stay prepared for anything.
- Avoid two-lane highways
While this isn’t always possible, staying away from two-lane highways can make nighttime driving a little easier. This is because oncoming traffic produces more glare, as well as lower overall light.
Two-lane highways also often have more hills and bends than highways, so if you can take a different route during the darkest hours, you should make sure it’s safe for drivers.
- Use your high beam when appropriate
High ground clearance is a great tool to use when looking for safety tips. Many people forget to use them, but they can give you much more visibility, especially if you’re in a rural area or back street where there aren’t many street lights.
However, they cannot be used in areas with high traffic or when you are behind another car. Make sure you turn them off if another vehicle approaches, as you can temporarily blind them with high beams.
- Change your inner light
Interior lights can affect your vision while driving, especially if they are too bright. Make sure all your essential lights are visible but not too bright or distracting.
You can also use a visor to block out blinding streetlights. Many newer cars also have the option to dim your mirrors, so it reduces the glare of reflected light.
- Wildlife tracking
If you want to avoid high car insurance premiums, you need to be on the lookout for wildlife, as it is one of the most common causes of late-night accidents.
Depending on where you live, you may have different animals to look for, but deer are the most common. High beams and headlights can help you see the animal’s eyes, so if you do, slowing down and stopping is the safest way to avoid a collision.
Do not try to dodge and miss the animal, as they may jump and hit you.
And, if you have an accident due to late night driving, you can always call car accident lawyer to help you get through it.
Always be careful when driving at night
Driving at night is often unavoidable, but doing it safely is not. Make sure to follow these tips to make sure you reach your destination safely and avoid any possible accidents.
It’s important to stay alert and take every possible precaution, such as using high beams and driving slowly, no matter how quickly you want to get where you’re going.
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