Own The Night: 10 Tips For Driving After Dark

Own The Night: 10 Tips For Driving After Dark Driving at night has its own share of discomforts and annoyances, but a lot of people cannot avoid it. However, such individuals should learn the tips for driving after dark in order to ensure that they arrive at their destination safely. The fact is that, though fewer people drive at night, more than half of the fatalities happen after dark. Therefore, even individuals who took all the driving lessons from accredited institutions such as famous driving school will benefit a lot from these night driving tips.

Use your headlights This may seem like common sense, but a lot of people forget to use their headlights at night. This is especially the case in large cities which can be extremely bright during the night. A lot of these drivers forget to turn on the lights because the road is so well-lit. However, regardless of the amount of light, all drivers should always remember to use their headlights at night. Always aim the headlights Even the headlights in new cars may be improperly aligned. Drivers can choose to align the headlights themselves, but this can be frustrating. It is always better to seek the help of a professional who has experience with aiming headlights.

Drive slowly Driving fast is never a good idea at any time of day, but it can be more dangerous to drive fast after dark. This is because a person’s sense of distance and speed is less at night. Also, the driver’s eyesight is poorer in the dark, and this means that they can easily hit a pothole or a speed bump or even an animal while driving in the dark. Driving slowly means that there will be less damage on the vehicle, and an injury or fatality will be less likely. Keep a safe distance between your car and other cars It is always better to keep some distance between your car and the car in front of you. This is because one reacts slower during the night, and it is therefore better to have enough space to react in case the car that is in front of yours stops abruptly.

Keep the windshield and mirrors clean A dirty windshield can be blinding in the dark. This is because the dirt will cause glare when headlights hit the windshield, and this will make it difficult to see while driving. It is also important to keep the side mirrors clean at night. Though small streaks are unnoticeable during the day, they can make it impossible for the driver to see what is behind them during the night. Never drive when tired Driving when tired is not advisable for any time of day, but it can be even riskier at night. The light from other cars as well as the darkness can wear any driver out. This will make it difficult for them to pay attention and to stay alert while driving at night. Do not stare directly at oncoming lights Oncoming lights can be blinding and distracting for any driver. It is therefore advisable for the driver to move their eyes around and to not stare directly at the oncoming lights.

Never drink and drive Drunk driving is a serious problem during the night, and it is responsible for a lot of accidents. Driving while drunk is never advisable, as it can slow down the driver’s reflexes and make them tired, and this is especially bad while driving in the dark. Check your eyesight regularly There are people who have poor eyesight that is especially worse during the night. It is therefore important for every driver to have periodic eye check-ups in order to ensure that their eyesight is good enough for night driving. Wear proper glasses Individuals who need glasses to see and who are driving at night should always wear the right glasses. The best prescription glasses for night driving should not be tinted, as this reduced the amount of light that reaches the eye, thus making it even more difficult for the driver to see in the dark.

Get extra training While a lot of people have already taken all the necessary driving lessons, it is always advisable for them to go to a driving school for extra driving classes on driving in the dark. These classes will help them to own the night so that they do not get into an accident because of poor driving.   About the Author Mark Long is an experienced driver, and a driving instructor who has worked with institutions such as mydrivingschool.com.au. His expertise has helped him to give proper lectures on driving lessons on driving at night. He has also written a lot of articles with tips on how to properly drive a car after dark.