Driving at night poses serious risks no matter how skilled a driver you are. Your vision is limited and there’s a good chance you will run over obstacles, animals, or (even worse) pedestrians. According to the National Safety Council, 50% of traffic-related deaths occur at night. Still, there will be situations when it is necessary. Such as a health emergency or a long road trip. However, when driving at night you should take extra precautions.
It’s important to know how you will be able to keep yourself safe during a night drive. There are a number of ways that can help minimise the risk. Here are a few of the most important ones to remember:
Photo, Wabi Jayme.
1. Be in the Right Condition
If you are not in an emergency situation, it’s important to make sure that you are alert and healthy before you hit the road at night. For that matter, don’t drive if you haven’t had enough rest or if you are in pain. More importantly, avoid taking the wheel if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs that can impair your reaction time. Not only is this illegal but driving under the influence increases the risks of getting into an accident in the dead of night.
2. Minimise Distractions
Even if your senses are active, you still need to focus on the road ahead, especially if you’re entering poorly lit areas. For this, you simply need to avoid the urge to use your phone while you are at the wheel. You might also need to turn down your car radio while driving. That way, you can hear oncoming traffic and other hazards that are concealed by the darkness. By reducing distractions, you will be able to evade the dangers that come your way.
Photo, Patrick Tomasso.
3. Make Your Car Visible
You can’t expect other motorists to see you trying to rear-end them. You might want to consider adding reflective tape to your vehicle. If you have room in your budget, consider installing underglow accent lights. These will help make your vehicle more visible and add to its visual appeal.
4. Check Your Headlights
If you will be driving at night through fog and snow, your view of the road is limited by a significant factor. One way you can get around this is by investing in a pair of quality headlights. Consider finding a brand of yellow halogen bulbs that are designed specifically for winter and night driving.
Photo, Rezasaad رضاصاد.
5. Plot Your Route
Another way you can steer clear of possible dangers is to take the safest route towards your destination. Before taking your vehicle out of the garage, decide on which roads to take that present minimal risks. You might as well take streets that are well-lighted and well-maintained. To be sure, use a GPS map to find out if the route you will be taking is extra safe.
Driving at night increases the likelihood of getting into an accident, but most night-time crashes are preventable. Use these tips to keep yourself safe and avoid getting into trouble.
6. Night Driving Glasses
Night driving glasses not only reduce the amount of glare, but also help drivers see clearer in dark environments. Properly formulated night driving lenses will help to create contrast that sharpens object definition. This kind of lens will also help improve contrast in dim daylight environments, making it easier to drive under hazy or foggy conditions.
