Even the most experienced drivers have some difficulty seeing the road at night. Many accidents occur after the sun has set because drivers simply cannot see properly. Therefore, their reaction times become impaired. It never hurts to be a little safer, and there are plenty of ways to do so when you take your vehicle for a nighttime drive.
Conduct Proper Headlight Maintenance
There are numerous components to a car that everyone knows to take care of. However, one part that often gets taken for granted is the headlights. You need to be aware of how well your lights are holding up so you can adequately see what is in the road in front of you. Even new vehicles should get the headlights inspected because sometimes the manufacturer settings will have them too low. Additionally, you should get your headlights inspected by a professional when you notice them start to dim or fade in and out while you are on the road.
Install Fog Lights and Additional Accessories
If you are not satisfied with the lights your vehicle came with, you can get extra ones installed. Fog lights are one of the most common, and they are highly recommended if you live in an area that is prone to heavy fog. Other lights are available, but you need to be cautious with them. Some areas have laws about what lights you can and cannot attach to your car.
Adjust or Fix Exterior Mirrors
Exterior mirrors naturally have a blind spot. That spot gets even bigger when you drive at night. You need to make sure these components are free from any cracks or dirt. In the event your mirrors have sustained significant damage, they’ll need to be replaced right away.
Increase Following Distance
Being a safe nighttime driver is about more than ensuring your car has efficient parts. It also means being safe in your driving habits. For starters, you want to keep a reasonable distance between you and the car in front of you at all times. The reason for this is that your reaction time may be slower if your vision is impaired from the darkness. Reaction time may be even slower if you feel drowsy.
Keep Your Eyes in Good Health
Ultimately, being able to see at night is dependent on your ability to see at all. You should keep your eyes in good health by seeing an optometrist often. If you have prescribed glasses to wear, make sure you wear them while you drive. Additionally, you need to avoid driving if you feel tired. You are a danger to everyone on the road if you feel yourself dozing off. Your eyes can feel overly fatigued when driving at night, so try scanning across your complete field of vision instead of focusing on one single area.
At the end of the day, if you do not feel comfortable driving at night, then you should not do it. Young drivers should avoid driving at night when they are first starting out no matter what. Your safety is paramount, so make sure your vision is never compromised when driving.
