Did you know that the risk of a fatal road accident triples at night? This is just one of the many reasons why most people avoid driving at night whenever possible. In fact, driving in the dark is something that is difficult for drivers of all ages and experience levels. However, older drivers often have an increased risk of difficulty when driving at night. This is often due to decreased visual distance and the fact that our eyes become more sensitive to the contrast between darkness and bright lights as we age.
So, what can you do to help prevent nighttime accidents? In addition to protecting yourself with comprehensive auto insurance coverage, we’ve got a few simple safety tips you should follow. Keep reading below to learn more.
6 Nighttime Driving Safety Tips Every Driver Should Know
1. Adjust Your Headlights
Research shows that headlights are often uneven or pointed lower than they should be on all different types of vehicles. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to make sure that yours are pointing in the right direction and at the correct level. Unsure how to keep them pointed perfectly for nighttime driving? Ask your local service station to help you out and prepare you to make adjustments as needed.
2. Always Dim Your Dash Lights
Most newer cars feature LED lights in the dash and instrument panel, but even those can be distracting on a dark roadway. Any extra light inside of your vehicle can make it more difficult to see the road clearly and stay focused on driving safely. Dimming these interior lights can remove distracting reflections on your windshield and make it easier for your eyes to adjust properly to the darkness as well.
3. Wear Proper Glasses
Whether your eyeglasses are prescription or not, they can easily add an additional reflective surface that sits between your eyes and the darkened road. This means that it’s very important to wear the correct type of glasses to help improve your nighttime visibility. So, what is the best option for those who need to sport eyewear while driving? Any type of lens — prescription or otherwise — that features an anti-reflective coating.
4. Look Away from Oncoming Lights
While this may sound like a “no brainer” to some, it can actually be difficult to remember to look away from headlight high beams on busy roadways. But if you simply look down towards the right side of the road and follow the edge of the painted line, you can save yourself from being temporarily blinded whenever oncoming drivers forget to lower their high beams.
5. Clean Your Windshield
If you know you’re going to have to drive at night, you should take the time to wipe down your windshield before heading out. Although your windshield may look clear during the day, the street lights can easily reveal lots of smudges and streaks that may impair your vision. You can get rid of those streaks by taking a couple of pieces of newspaper and some glass cleaner to wipe down your windshield.
6. Invest in Fog Lights
Fog lights are ideal for helping drivers see the road more clearly under most nighttime driving conditions. Because they spread their beam of light out wider than your headlights, they make it easier to see more of the road in the dark.
Keep Yourself and Your Loved Ones Safe on the Road
With a few simple safety precautions and a comprehensive auto insurance policy, you can help to reduce your risk of a devastating nighttime accident. Contact Smart Move Insurance today for more information and be sure to request a free quote.