A Guide on Safe Night Driving

Driving at night compromises vision due to the glare of other headlights, different depth perception and your visibility being limited to only 500 feet in front of you.

Adults 60 and older are said to have a more difficult time driving, which can be caused by cataracts or other degenerative eye diseases. Individuals who are also visually impaired even at a young age may have difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.

While distracted drivers are present during the day, they are even more dangerous at night. It’s easy to get complacent at night if you think you’re alone on the road, but anything that takes your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road is dangerous, even more so at night.

Drivers who drive while sleepy or fatigued are responsible for an 91,000 crashes in 2017. Growing sleepy while driving can happen to anyone and is common amongst commercial drivers, graveyard shift workers, drivers with untreated sleep disorders or who take certain medications and those who don’t get enough sleep.

28 people die every day from drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 52 minutes. While driving under the influence has serious consequences, many continue to do it across the country. In fact, 62% of drunk driving-related deaths occur on the weekends.

Driving in the snow, rain or fog can make nighttime driving all the more dangerous. Not only will you have to contend with reduced visibility, but you’ll also have to deal with slippery roads which can easily lead to you losing control of the wheel.

While it can be tempting to increase your speed at night because there’s less traffic, this can increase your chance of an accident. Drive slowly, keeping in mind the minimum and maximum speeds, and follow traffic laws even if there are no other cars around.

The glare of headlights from traffic on the other side of the road can make it difficult to see what’s ahead of you. Shift your eyes down and to the right and use the roadside markings as a guide until vehicles have passed.

Make it a point to be hyper aware of yourself and your surroundings. Check in with yourself for signs of fatigue and be on the lookout for intoxicated or reckless drivers.

If you notice that you’re getting tired, pull over and take a break. This way, your mind and body can relax and allow you to be more alert once you start driving again.

Driving under the influence killed 10,500 people in 2018. Avoid driving under the influence or after you’ve had a few drinks. Ask a loved one to pick you up or take a taxi to ensure a sober driver gets you home safely.

Your instrument panel and dashboard lights can be distracting, which is why it’s better to keep them dim. This also removes reflections on your windows and windshield, which can help you adjust your eyes to the darkness on the road.

If you require glasses, make sure you have a pair that is suited for night driving. Opt for eyeglasses with anti-reflective coating to prevent light from bouncing around your lenses.

Don’t forget to use your high beams at night, especially when you’re struggling to see the road in front of you, as it can help improve your visibility. However, when you’re behind another vehicle or in fog, rain or snow, remember to switch to low beams. Depending on the weather conditions in your area, you can also opt for fog lights.

It’s normal for your headlights to become misaligned over time. While you can have this done at the shop, you can also do it yourself by following your car’s owner’s manual.

A dirty windshield can prevent you from seeing properly. Prior to driving at night, make sure to clean your windshield and windows and ensure there are no bugs, dirt or grease on the glass.

Get quotes from several insurers instead of settling for the first one you find. This helps you spot the best mix of coverage and pricing for your needs.

Insurers offer discounts for many reasons. Completing a safe-driving course, installing anti-theft devices or consistently wearing your seatbelt can qualify you for savings. Some discounts may still apply even if you’ve had an accident.

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket after an accident and it affects your premium. A higher deductible usually leads to a lower monthly cost.

In some states, insurers consider your credit score when setting your rate. Keeping your credit in good shape can help keep your premiums low.

If you’re a careful driver but live in an area with frequent bad weather, accident forgiveness can be helpful. It prevents your premiums from going up after your first at-fault accident.