Lots of people become involved in road accidents every year, and so it’s vital that we all put measures in place to ensure that we remain as safe as possible behind the wheel after the sun goes down. With that in mind, this article will provide you with some tips and advice that should help to ensure that you avoid disaster and get from A to B in one piece. The information below is useful for new drivers and those who’ve been on the road for many years. Sometimes everyone needs a helping hand when it comes to identifying the best strategies and putting them into place. Put the suggestions on this page to good use, and you should never have to worry about night time road safety again!
Keep your windows clean to avoid glare:
If your car has dirty windows, there is a decent chance you will struggle to see properly at night when the sun goes down. For that reason, it’s vital that you ensure the windows are as clean as possible at all times. There are specialist products you can purchase that will make light work of the task. In most instances, you just need to spray a solution onto the windscreen and then let your wipers do the hard work. You should then follow the same procedure with the windows at the side and the back of the vehicle. You can wipe them using the rubber end of your ice scraper if you think that will help. The goal is to make sure you eliminate glare and always have clear sight of the road.
Dip your lights and don’t dazzle others:
The last thing you want to do is dazzle other drivers at night when people are more likely to make mistakes. So, you need to make sure that you always dip your lights and stop using your full-beam when there are other vehicles in the vicinity. With a bit of luck, other motorists will do the same thing, and you’ll manage to avoid accidents. Some modern cars have a feature that enables you to lower the headlights, so they don’t blind people. If you don’t have that technology in your automobile; you just have to move away from the brightest headlight setting. You need to ensure that you’re visible and you can see the road without making life more challenging for other motorists.
Give the car in front more space:
During your driving lessons, instructors will always tell you to leave a two-car gap between your automobile and the one in front. However, sometimes it’s sensible to increase that distance when driving at night. You never know when you might have to brake suddenly, and so you should give yourself as much space as possible. Don’t worry about other cars overtaking you on the road because your journey is not a race. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, the basic rule of thumb is that you should leave at least a three-car gap when the sun goes down. That should assist when it comes to counteracting the lengthening of your reaction times.
Use the latest car safety technology:
Getting a new car that benefits from the latest road safety technology is always a wise move if you want to remain as safe as possible on the roads at night. Anyone who reads the new Outback details from Subaru will see their latest models come with gadgets that assist with everything from vehicle positioning to parking. Indeed, many of the top motoring brands on the market today now use cameras and sensors to improve the driving experience and give motorists the best chances of avoiding accidents. If you can’t afford to purchase a new model with lots of safety features, perhaps you could buy some similar devices and install them on your current vehicle? Just an idea!
Don’t rush! Allow more time for your journey:
Drivers who travel faster than the recommended speed limit might find themselves on the wrong side of the law. However, sometimes it’s best to stay well below the speed limit if you’re driving at night. Make sure you always give yourself ample time to reach your destination, and then you will never have to put the pedal to the metal and place yourself at risk. Make use of satellite navigation apps before you leave home, so you always know how long it’s going to take to get from A to B. That way, you can start out at the appropriate time, and travel in comfort rather than rushing. If there’s an emergency at home after the sun goes down, be sure to call the emergency services and ask for an ambulance. Do not drive to the hospital at breakneck speed.
Get your eyes tested regularly:
The condition of your vision is crucial if you plan to drive at any time of the day. However, it becomes even more critical at night when visibility is reduced. Going to see your local optician and getting your eyes tested regularly is essential if you want to remain safe and ensure you never spend time in the hospital due to a driving-related injury. Also, you have to remember that it’s possible you might cause accidents that hurt other road users if you don’t have perfect vision. Don’t worry too much if you don’t like the idea of wearing glasses because contact lenses are more convenient, and they’re not as much hassle as most people think.
Now you have some excellent tips for staying safe on the road at night; we hope you will take heed and learn from this article. The last thing anyone wants is to discover a friend or loved one has become involved in a life-changing road accident, and putting these measures in place should reduce the chances of that happening. When all’s said and done, you just have to use some common sense and limit the number of risks you take. Feel free to share this article with your driving friends and ensure they follow the advice too!