Tips For Driving In The Dark - How To Make Sure You Are Safe Driving At Night

Driving in the dark is difficult even for the most skilled driver. When driving at night, it is important that we are careful and well equipped, in case of any emergency or unforeseen circumstances.

Many lives have been lost because proper safety measures were not taken while driving at night, and the number of accidents that take place at night is always much higher than the number of accidents that take place in daylight. Night-time driving requires one to be on their guard constantly. Roads at night are difficult to traverse through, which makes it more important for us to be highly vigilant.

Having said that, it’s never too late for us to be careful while driving at night. Here are a few tips that would make driving late at night a safer experience.

Tips For Safe Late-night Driving In The Dark

Here are a few tips that will help you stay safe when driving at night:

1. Check The Lights Of Your Car

Apart from the headlights of our car, there are several other lights, like fog lights, DRLs, etc., all of which serve a unique purpose. They should be used according to the necessity of the situation, when driving late at night.

Before you start off on your journey, make sure that you check whether every light is working the way it is supposed to. Lights are essential during night journeys, as they are the ones that will alert the traffic around us, of our presence.

2. Know When To Use Your Car’s Lights

Did you know that you must turn on your headlights one hour before sunset and turn them off one hour after sunrise? This is an important piece of driving information that every driver needs to know.

When driving in night, knowing when to turn on our headlights and when to turn them off is especially important.

Use your high beams as you feel it necessary and make sure you dip your headlights when needed. Never blind oncoming traffic, as that would put others in danger.

3. Keep Your Windshield Clean

Having a clean windshield is like having clear eyes for your car. Since it is through the windshield that you look at the road ahead of you, it is important for you to ensure that the windshield is clean before you set off on your journey.

Safer driving is possible if you make sure that your windscreen is always clean and doesn’t hinder your vision in any manner.

4. Clean Your Mirrors

Not just the windshield, but all the mirrors of your car should be always clean and thoroughly functional. Car driving at night is not an easy thing and making sure that your mirrors are properly functioning will make your job much easier.

The mirrors include your side view mirrors and your rear-view mirror, all of which are important for you to navigate well on the road.

5. Make Effective Use Of Your High Beams

High beams are said to be one of the most underutilised lights of a car. Make effective use of them, as and when needed. However, make sure to dim them when there is a vehicle approaching you in the opposite direction, so that you don’t blind them. Also make sure that you dim your lights when you are following a vehicle.

Using high beams appropriately can make your night driving experience safer and much more enjoyable.

6. Be Mindful Of Your Interior Lighting

Your interior lighting should never be too bright, as it would distort your vision of the outside road. Hence, ensure that your interior lighting is always dim enough for you to be able to see the road ahead of you properly.

If possible, keep your interior light switched off, so that your night driving experience is much safer.

7. Be Observant Of The Road In Front Of You

It is extremely easy for us to get carried away when driving. Whether you are alone or with family, it is very easy to be distracted when driving. Never be distracted while driving, and always focus on the road ahead of you. Whether there are speed breakers or other obstructions on the road, it would be easier and safer for you navigate while driving, when you are focused on the road.

When driving at night, especially, never lose focus on the road ahead of you, because it could result in catastrophic repercussions.

8. Avoid Speeding

Safety in driving should be anyone’s topmost priority. We may be delayed to our destination, but speeding can result in instances that we may never come out of.

Always maintain standard speed and avoid wanting to reach your destination before time. Always follow speed limits, even on highways and expressways.

9. Keep An Eye Out For Wildlife

While driving on black roads in the night, it can get impossible for us to spot other vehicles, humans or even wildlife. Over speeding and lack of proper attention can pose danger to anyone on the road, especially wildlife.

If you are driving through a forested area, make sure that you always keep an eye out for wildlife.

10. Stay Aware Of The Traffic Around You

Driving into the night, always stay aware of the traffic around you. As you continue to drive at night, for whatever reasons, you may lose focus on your surroundings. This is to be avoided at all costs, and you should always be aware of the traffic around you.

11. Avoid Driving When You Are Not Well Rested

When driving at night, it is easy for anyone to want to sleep for some time. Sometimes, it also happens that we fall asleep without knowing it. The chances of something like this happening is increased when one does not have enough sleep or rest. So, make sure that you are well rested before any night-time journeys.

12. Take Care Of Your Eyes

To be able to drive all night, you need sharp vision in the first place. Before embarking on a long night driving journey, make sure that your vision is clear, and that you have gotten your eyesight checked.

Also make sure that your glasses or lenses – depending on what you use – are readily available and clean. Always carry a spare with you, so that you would be well prepared in case of any emergency.

Having a clear eyesight is, important for our overall health, and highly essential when planning to go on a car journey at night, especially if you are the one that would be driving.

13. Be Extra Careful

For safer driving at night, make sure that you are extra careful. The first thing that you need to control is your alcohol intake, and better even avoid it if you can. Consumption of alcohol can lead to unwarranted situations while driving, in general, and could be catastrophic at night.

Stay away from alcohol, if possible, when you know that you would be driving at night.

Other Tips For Driving Late At Night

1. Choose Well-lit Roads

If there’s an option for you to choose a well-lit road instead of a road that may not be well lit, always choose the former, as it will help your driving so much more. It will make things clearer, and your car lights will act as an added advantage.

2. Opt For Bigger Roads

Choosing bigger roads for travel is always the better option, as it will give you enough space to navigate through the road well, and in a relaxed manner.

3. Night Driving Essentials

Torch, blanket, and ice scraper are some of the most essential items that you need to carry with you when driving at night.

A torch would help you fix a tyre or in case of an emergency breakdown. Carrying a head torch is even better.

In case you get stranded, then you can use the blanket a blanket to keep yourself warm. An ice scraper will help you clean ice from the windshield of your car. Also, make sure that you have gotten yourself a roadside assistance cover, as you would be picked up from wherever you are stranded, along with your car.

Moreover, if your car breaks down, always keep your hazard lights on, while you wait for help, so that other road users would be aware of your car’s presence on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Safety In Driving On Roads At Night

Driving in the dark is something that should not be taken lightly. As such, it is normal to have a few questions. Here are the most frequently asked questions and answers about driving at night:

Q. What should you do when overtaking at night?

A. Make full use of your car’s headlights to overtake when driving at night.

Q. You're driving on a motorway at night, when can you switch off your headlights?

A. Every driver is advised to switch off their headlights only one hour after sunrise, and they should always switch on their headlights one hour before sunset.

Q. What type of glasses should not be worn when driving at night?

A. Never use tinted glasses when driving at night.

Q. Can learner drivers drive at night?

A. A learner can absolutely drive at night, if they are qualified to do so, and have an experienced driver by their side, guiding them.

Q. Why is night driving harder with age?

A. With age, vision gets blurry, which can become a hindrance while driving at night, as roads may not be visible clearly. This is why driving gets harder with age.

Conclusion

Driving at night sounds scary, but when done right, it is as simple as driving in the daylight. No matter when you are driving, always make sure that you and your car are safe. Get your car warranty today, as it covers your car in case of any emergencies and looks after your car’s overall maintenance. Warranty Direct offers one of the best warranties in the UK.