How to Drive Safely at Night
For some people, driving at night isn’t a problem and for others it is quite an ordeal. Many people dread the thought of driving at night. How can you take the strain out of driving at night anddrive safely?
If you know you’re going to drive at night in advance, rest your eyes before the journey. If you are using a computer or watching television switch it off an hour before departing on your trip. Sit is a dimly lit room and rest your eyes as much as possible before going to the car.
If you are relying on a satellite navigation system, make sure you have it set for use at night; this will darken the screen on the ‘sat nav’ making it easier for you to see out of the car window in the dark. On some cars it is possible to turn down the brightness of the speedometer dials, this too will help you see ahead in the dark.
Do not use fog lights unless it is foggy. In the United Kingdom inappropriate use of fog lights is illegal. Only use full beam when all oncoming cars has passed or you’ll risk being blinded by oncoming traffic or blinding drivers coming toward you..
If you have them, wear night driving glasses as these will dim the oncoming headlights making it easier for you to see the road clearly ahead. Make sure your front window screen is clean and free of smears, as smears will reflect light making the road hard to see. Make sure also that your seat is adjusted properly and comfortable and you’re not straining to see over the steering wheel.
Drive slowly and do not look too far in the distance but look at the road just ahead and position yourself in the middle of the space between the road marking in the centre of the road and on the nearside. Take no notice of traffic behind you; it is just as important for them that you drive safely.
If oncoming lights are blinding you slow down and wait until the oncoming traffic has gone. It will only take seconds for a car to pass you and if you keep the wheel still as possible you’ll survive.
If driving is a strain, do remember to stop for frequent short breaks to give the eyes a rest from car headlamps. If the journey comprises short stages, the trip won’t be too much of an ordeal.
Last tip is not to pick peak times of day to drive but rather make the journey when you know there to be less traffic on the road.
