While it's hard to tell if the dark shadows in front of your car's headlights are deer or pedestrians when driving at night, it's "no" hard to admit why driving at night can be something that scares many car drivers. Despite the fact that most driving activities are carried out during the day, around 40-50% of accidents occur at night. Even so, there's no reason to say that driving at night is unsafe - because with a few simple precautions, you can drive safely, keep visibility high, and even enjoy a uniquely exciting night driving experience!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using Safe Driving Practices
Step 1. When in doubt, turn on the headlights
As night slowly drifts over city streets and along motorways, there is almost always an hour or two when some cars have their lights on while others don't. In general, if you notice that it's getting dark (even if it's just a little dim), it's a good idea to turn on the headlights immediately. Even if you can still see clearly at that time, it will be easier for other drivers to see you when the headlights are on (especially when the sun is setting behind you, which obscures the view of the traffic from the front).
In addition, it is important to note that in many jurisdictions, it is against the law to drive without turning on the headlights in the evening and in the morning. For example, in California, motor vehicle headlights must be turned on from an hour and a half before sunset to an hour and a half after sunrise (and during any conditions where visibility is low)
Step 2. Don't speed
In general, driving at night demands lower speeds than during the day (even in well-lit road conditions), due to a decreased average ability to see and react to traffic, pedestrians, and other obstacles. You can't control the types of threats you face, but you can control the way you drive. The smartest way is to slow down, giving you more time to react to whatever issues come your way. Never "overtake" the headlights - in the sense of driving so fast that you can't stop for as far as the headlights of the car in front of you can.
A general rule of thumb for safe driving at night is: "The speed written on the traffic sign is the legal maximum speed limit - not the top speed that is safe to travel at." Don't be afraid to lower your speed below the speed limit if you can't see far ahead of you, especially when winding or going uphill, where visibility is much lower. Allow other vehicles to pass, if necessary
Step 3. Beware of drunk and tired drivers
Statistically, there are almost always drunk and exhausted drivers on the road at night rather than during the day. The result is death - for example, as in 2011, when drunk driving contributed to four times more accidents at night than during the day. Both of these conditions can dramatically decrease a driver's reaction speed and lead to reckless behavior, so always be on the lookout for chaotic drivers and stay away from them.
Keep in mind that on holiday nights (Fridays and Saturdays) there will usually be more drunk drivers than regular evenings because people tend to start their weekends with a little booze. On national holidays, the situation is sometimes much worse. For example, some analyzes show that the early hours of January 1 are the deadliest time of the year in terms of drunk driver accidents
Step 4. Rest as much as possible to fight fatigue
As well as being alert to a driver who is tired while driving, you must also be aware of your own fatigue. Tiredness on the road can carry many of the same risks as drunkenness, including decreased alertness, slowness of reaction, frequent "stupid" in and out of lane barriers, and so on. To overcome this problem, make sure you stop and rest on the roadside as often as possible to exercise, eat and/or consume caffeine, before returning to focus on the road.
If you're too tired to drive safely - for example if you're having trouble opening your eyes due to sleepiness - stop at the side of the road or find an official stop to rest and take a nap. It's much better to be safe than sorry. Being aware of the risk of losing your life from falling asleep while driving for a few seconds is far more important than the inconvenience of being late to your destination
Step 5. Beware of animals, especially in rural areas
Animals crossing the road can be very dangerous at night, as it is very difficult to see them in low light conditions on highways, when traveling at high speeds. Accidents involving large animals such as deer can be very lethal or result in severe damage (to riders, animals and cars). So, stay alert when in locations where deer or other animals often cross the road (such as rural areas). Pay attention to traffic signs marked with animals crossing the road and slow down. Also be aware that most deer-related accidents occur in late fall and early winter (though they can happen all year round).
- If you see an animal up ahead, in the middle of the road, the best course of action is usually "don't swerve". While basic instincts tend to make you swerve, it is precisely this that is the leading cause of serious injury and death in all deer-related accidents. All you have to do is slow down as much as possible by hitting the brakes and let the car crash into the beast.
- One of the powerful tricks to find out there is an animal in front of them is to be aware of the retina of their eyes. While it's usually difficult or even impossible to see an animal's body until it's within reach of a car headlight, you can often see the glint in their eyes long before that. If you see a pair of glowing dots in the dark night, far ahead, slow down immediately!
Step 6. Move your eyes constantly
"Glowing forward" for a long time is difficult for most riders to do. To stay focused, try moving your eyes constantly while driving. Don't stop scanning the road in front of you for potential accidents. Look to the side of the road and check the mirrors on either side of the car to stay aware of the surrounding conditions. Resist the urge to focus solely on the dividing line in the middle of the road - as this won't provide any important visual information and will instead tend to "hypnotize" you into being less alert.
The calm and quiet road conditions in most driving situations, as well as the darkness around at night, can hypnotize the driver into half-stupid. Even if he doesn't fall asleep right away, this kind of out-of-focus condition, which slows down the body's reflexes, triggers forgetfulness and other urgency, is clearly very dangerous. Don't let your guard down and stay alert - Your life and that of other riders depend on this
Step 7. Use driving precautions like during the day
This one probably goes without saying, but it's still worth emphasizing that all the precautions you usually take during the day become even more important at night. Make sure to wear your seat belt, adjust the seat and all mirrors, turn off your phone, and focus on driving while behind the wheel. These simple everyday precautions will make driving safer and reduce the potential for accidents, both day and night.
Part 2 of 3: Improve Visibility
Step 1. Keep your headlights, all mirrors and windshield in top condition
Headlights are the most important lifeline when driving at night. If it does not work in good condition, it is the same as increasing the risk of an accident. That shouldn't be the case though. Keep your headlights clean by washing them weekly - to keep the brightness and clarity of the light high. If the bulb is damaged or worn out, replace it immediately in daylight and don't drive at night until it's replaced. Remember that driving without the right light conditions is against the law.
In addition, to maintain visibility, keep the windshield, all windows and mirrors as clean as possible. Don't use your hands to clean this essential car device - the natural oils on your skin will leave marks and may even cloud the surface of the glass. Use old newspapers or microfiber towels
Step 2. Use headlights for poorly lit road conditions
The glare of the headlights from your car can greatly improve night driving safety, but only when used properly. Headlights should only be used when street lighting conditions are poor and very dark, and in areas where there is less traffic. High beams can make your field of view wider and deeper, so use them sparingly.
- Be sure to always turn off the headlights when following other cars or when many vehicles are passing from the front. The overly bright beam of your headlights can blind other motorists, making them prone to accidents.
- If you are turning a bend or uphill and see flashes of headlights on the bend ahead, turn off the headlights immediately so that other drivers are not suddenly dazzled.
Step 3. Adjust the position of the headlights
Sometimes, the headlights are positioned too low towards the ground or are not aligned properly symmetrically. Even the brightest distant light in the world is useless if it's not positioned properly to illuminate as much of the street space in front of you as possible. So if you have trouble seeing ahead when driving at night, consider resetting your headlights. In a professional auto repair shop, the procedure is quick and inexpensive.
You can also adjust the position of the headlights yourself. Since every car is different, if you want to do it yourself, be sure to properly follow the instructions from the car owner's manual. Be patient - it will take some time adjusting the lights to align perfectly
Step 4. Look to the side of the road when you see other drivers' headlights
Ideally, other drivers should be as tolerant of dimming their headlights when they see you, as you are to them. Unfortunately, not all drivers are like that. If there is a car from the front driving with the headlights on, don't look, because it can blind your eyes, even for a moment. Turn your eyes to the right side of the road (or to the left for those of you who live in a country with a steering wheel on the left) while keeping an eye on other threats on the road. This keeps you alert while maintaining visibility of the view.
If the car behind you uses headlights, adjust the windshield so that the reflection of the light does not dazzle your eyes. You can even reverse the reflection at the driver to let him know and dim the lights
Step 5. Consider adding low-positioned fog lights
If you do drive a lot at night in foggy weather, consider purchasing a set of fog lights. Usually this type of light is mounted low on the front bumper to illuminate as much of the road in front of you as possible (the fog is usually lightest at 30 inches from the ground or slightly above the road). However, not all fog lamps sold in the market are of the same standard, so discuss with an automotive expert before buying.
Never use the default setting for the high beam in foggy conditions. The reflective water particles in the fog will reverse the light rays into your eyes, blinding the view ahead. Worse than not turning on the light at all
Step 6. If you wear glasses, use anti-reflective coating
Headlight beams from other cars (and especially headlights) can be difficult if you wear glasses, because glasses sometimes reflect incoming light in such a way that it creates a blurry layer and blocks the view. To avoid this, use contact lenses or glasses with anti-reflective coating on the glass, so that the reflection effect is reduced.
If you buy special glasses of this kind, keep them in the car so they are easy to find and use wherever you go
Part 3 of 3: Enjoying Driving at Night
Step 1. Stay alert by chatting with passengers
Once you master the basics of safe driving at night, the experience can actually be made fun and relaxing, especially if you maximize the entertainment factor, which also helps to drive Safely. For example, if you happen to have a passenger with you while driving at night, it's a good idea to have a small chat with him. Chatting with other people is a great way to deal with driving fatigue. After all, the calm and dark atmosphere around often makes conversations more intimate.
But make sure not to overheat the conversation. A heated argument during a chat can distract you from the most important task at hand - driving safely
Step 2. Listen to music while driving at night
Driving at night can be a great time to listen to music on your car stereo. The relatively calm and quiet atmosphere makes it easier for you to listen to the small details of a song, making a good song even more pleasant to hear. Some people prefer to hear disco or electronic strains at night, while others prefer the thumping of rock music. There is no right “type” of music to listen to at night - it's up to you! Below are some great songs to listen to while driving at night, from several different genres (and many more):
- Kavinsky - "Nightcall"
- Chromatics - "Back From the Grave"
- DJ Shadow - "Midnight in a Perfect World"
- Kyuss - "Gardenia"
- Allan Kingdom - "Evergreens"
- Golden Earring - "Radar love"
- Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, and Tich - "Hold Tight"
- Daft Punk - "Contact"
- Charles Mingus - "Moanin'"
Step 3. Go to midnight shows
Driving at night can sometimes be a unique way to get in touch with people and things you wouldn't normally pay attention to! For example, most of the new big city centers appear "live" at night and are full of unique characters enjoying the nightlife. Even rural areas have their own “feel” of nightlife. Each overdraft holds a different set of surprises, so keep your eyes open as you drive - If you frequently pause to fight drowsiness and tiredness while driving, there are plenty of opportunities to stop by. Below is a list of some things that might be worth a visit:
- Dinner/hangout places
- Bars and nightclubs (note: avoid driving while drinking alcohol, especially at night)
- Truck stop/breakfast place
- Scenic trail
- Camping complex
- Drive-in shows (cinema, restaurants, etc.)
Step 4. Enjoy the tranquility of the atmosphere (responsibly)
Driving at night can be a unique experience. With the calmness of the atmosphere, the quiet hum of the engine and the darkness all around, driving a car feels almost like flying through the sky. Driving at night is mysterious, fun, even “exciting” – for some, this kind of enjoyment is simple, but addictive. Enjoying night driving is fine, but don't forget to focus on the one thing that matters most - your safety and that of other drivers. Always remember that distracted driving can be fatal (especially at night), so keep your attention on the road. If you feel confident in your safe driving habits, you will be able to relax, adjust and enjoy driving responsibly!
Tips
- Position the windshield on the left and right to the "duck down" or "night mode" position to reduce the glare of the far back lights.
- Check the condition of all of your car's headlights regularly, especially in the winter months as that means you'll be driving more at night. To make the process easier, take turns with a friend operating the lights and make sure everything is working properly, or check the reflection in the glass-walled building window.
- Get rid of all the distractions while driving, but don't focus entirely on the road, because it will actually make you hypnotized and mentally "stupid" for a moment. Keep your eyes moving and looking around the car and the scenery outside.
Warning
- Always wear seat belts and remind passengers to do the same.
- DO NOT drive drunk!
- Never bring a motorized vehicle without a SIM and STNK that is officially and legally registered in your name.
- Don't believe the saying that dark yellow or bright orange glasses will make you see more clearly at night. What is there actually makes the object appear brighter or glow
- Never forget to bring your driver's license so that the police don't suspect anything about you.
- Don't drive a car when you feel tired. In some countries, driving at night is counted as a driving offence. Whatever the law says, this is clearly dangerous.
