Driving at night has its own set of challenges. From the glare of a passing vehicle’s high beams in your eyes to nighttime fatigue, driving at night is oftentimes not as pleasurable as daytime driving. Beyond annoyance, however, driving at night can be downright dangerous.
Fatalities occur at a rate of three times greater at night than during the day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is an even more remarkable statistic given that only a quarter of all driving is done at night. Night driving can be very dangerous for many reasons, including fatigue, impaired vision, glare, and alcohol consumption. Because driver reaction is heavily dependent on vision, driving at night can be difficult, especially for older drivers.
Here are ten tips to ensure your safety when driving at night:
- Make sure headlights, taillights, and windows are clean to avoid glare.
- Use lights, but be mindful of blinding oncoming traffic or drivers in front of you.
- Always keep an eye out for drunk drivers.
- Have your eyes checked regularly, and wear glasses with anti-reflective lenses.
- Keep eyes moving to observe headlights in the distance, but do not stare into oncoming lights. Briefly look away to avoid becoming blinded.
- Consider installing fog lights on your vehicle. They are aimed low to help the driver see the road in bad weather conditions.
- Use the right edge line of the road as a guideline when blinded by oncoming cars.
- Stop and rest or get caffeine if you get drowsy.
- Watch for pedestrians and the reflective eyes of wildlife crossing or walking along the side of the road.
- Pull over as far as possible if you must stop due to car trouble, and use flashers and reflective equipment to make yourself visible.
Employing these tips can help keep you safe during your nighttime drives, but seek consultation with experienced Treasure Coast automobile accident attorneys if the worst has already happened.