Driving in the night has its advantages. If you are planning a long trip during the summertime, you won’t experience high temperatures or a front-facing Sun. However, you will also face drawbacks, the most notable a higher risk of collision. It’s a known fact that most car accidents happen at night.
That’s why we wrote this guide with the intention of giving you advice regarding driving in the night and stay safe:
1. Check headlights and taillights condition
Our first tip for driving safe at night is quite obvious. You will depend on headlights to see the road ahead, so is advisable to check their condition beforehand. That includes verifying headlights alignment. Since you are checking your vehicle, don’t forget taillights. They are a key component for keeping you safe in the dark.
2. Don’t stare at oncoming cars
Nowadays HID bulbs are common. If you stare directly at oncoming cars, you can literally lose your sight for a few seconds and thus put yourself at risk. So our tip for driving in the night is looking away and avoid eye contact.
3. Rest appropriately before driving
Resting before a night trip is of utmost importance. Your senses will be sharp, your mind will stay alert, and your risk of collision will decrease significantly.
4. Have your eyes checked regularly
If you suffer from a sight condition then is a good idea to have your eyes checked regularly, especially before a long trip. A sharp vision is crucial in order to avoid car accidents. Remember, driving in the night is already challenging, don’t put yourself in a risk condition.
5. Use defensive driving techniques
Following the best practices of defensive driving is a great way to improve your security while driving in the dark. Be aware of your surroundings by scanning the mirrors frequently. Prepare for anything. Think before acting.
6. Watch out for pedestrians
Pay special attention to pedestrians while you drive in urban areas. Multiple your concentration by 10 if children are present. Be always prepared for braking if necessary. A good piece of advice while driving in the night is reducing your speed as soon as you see a pedestrian.
7. Watch your following distance
As said earlier, driving in the dark is a challenge. It’s a fact that you will need more time to react during nighttime. In consequence, it is in your best interest increasing the following distance to compensate your slowness. A second or two can make a bit difference.
8. Stop if you feel sleepy
One of the leading causes of accidents when driving in the night is the motorists that fall asleep behind the wheel. If you tend to travel at night, you will surely know what we are referring to. Some tips to follow in case you feel the symptoms of sleepiness are:
- Don’t wait for too much to take action. The number one error of motorists is delaying a decision. Be honest with yourself. If you know you are tired, then stop and take a nap.
- In case you cannot sleep on the road, maybe because you feel it’s not safe, then stop the car, get out and stretch. Take deep breaths and walk around your vehicle if possible.
- Drinking coffee is a two-edged sword. The caffeine will boost your senses for a while, but the drowsiness will return worse than before after a couple of hours. Keeping your body hydrated is a better strategy. Drink water at short intervals, for example, every 30 minutes. Even if you need to stop occasionally, that is actually a good thing as explained in the prior point.
- Open the windows. Fresh air is an incredible ally when you feel sleepy.
- Sing in the car. Exercising your brain is an excellent strategy to keep you awake.
Driving in the night and stay safe is possible as long as you follow common sense. Since you will be driving in adverse conditions, it’s your responsibility to watch your speed, concentrate on the route and be alert at all time. Always keep in mind that driving at nighttime is more demanding than driving during the day. If you feel that you need to stop and get rest just do it. Safety always first.