Safety Tips for Driving at Night
It’s no secret that driving at night is inherently more dangerous than daytime driving. There are a few reasons for this. Fatigue and falling asleep behind the wheel are a major cause of car wrecks. Visibility is also poor. And there’s a greater likelihood of driving in the proximity of another driver who is impaired by alcohol or other drugs. If you’re too tired to drive, be safe and call a cab or an Uber instead. It just might save your life.
Reduce your speed
Your ability to judge distance and your ability to react can both be impaired at night due to fatigue and poor visibility. You can partially compensate for this impairment by reducing your speed. If it’s raining or the roads are icy, then you should reduce your speed substantially.
Improve visibility at night
If your windshield is dirty, it might worsen glare from headlights at night. Always keep your windshield cleaner fluid topped off and fix the washer pump right away if it breaks. Remember to replace your windshield wipers as soon as they start deteriorating. Periodically, clean the inside of your windshield or get your car detailed.
Your headlights can also get dirty, potentially increasing glare for other drivers and affecting your own visibility. Use a special headlight cleaner kit for those.
Look for reflected light
Even if your headlights and windshield are clean, it’s difficult to spot animals on the road. Large animals like deer can do considerable damage to your vehicle if you hit them. Get into the habit of scanning the sides of the road ahead of your car. Look for animals’ eyes, which will reflect light from your headlights back at you. Remember that deer often travel in groups. If a deer crosses the road ahead of your car, wait a few extra seconds before driving through in case there are stragglers.
Use your high beams with caution
Some drivers avoid using high beams at all because they’ll have to switch them back to low beams when a car approaches from the opposite direction. But high beams are an excellent way to stay safer on less traveled roads. Just remember to switch back to low beams promptly when you see someone else’s headlights.
Don’t stare at oncoming headlights
When you’re fatigued, it can be easy to become transfixed by the headlights of oncoming cars—even if you know it’s not good to stare at them. Get into the habit of looking down and to the right when a car approaches. You can use the lane markings to keep your car centered in the lane while you’re looking down.
Steps to take after a car wreck in southern California
Car wreck cases aren’t always straightforward. And even if you think the insurance settlement is reasonable, it might not cover all of your medical expenses and other losses stemming from the accident. After a crash, you need the knowledge and legal representation of a seasoned car wreck lawyer in LA. Call Ellis Injury Law at 888-828-5603 to request your free consultation. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you, and there’s no obligation.
Additional resources on traffic safety
- National Safety Council, Driving at Night, https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/night-driving
- Popular Mechanics, Own the Night: 10 Tips for Driving After Dark, https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/g106/10-safety-tips-for-driving-after-dark/