Night Driving Safety
Dangers of Night Driving
Traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. Yet many of us are unaware of the special hazards of night driving.
Why is night driving so dangerous? One obvious answer is darkness. The primary component of a driver's reaction is vision, and night vision is severely limiting. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised when driving at night.
Older drivers have even greater difficulties with night vision. As we age, we need more light to see as well as we could in our younger years.
Minimize Night Driving Risks
Prepare your car for night driving. Clean headlights, tail lights, signal lights and windows at least once a week.
You should also have a mechanic check your headlight aim twice a year.
- Don't drink and drive! Drinking and driving is a leading cause of accidents – including night driving accidents.
- Avoid smoking when driving at night. Night vision can be worsened by the effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide.
- Turn your headlights on at dusk. Lights will not help night vision in early twilight, but they'll make it easier for other drivers to see you.
- Reduce your speed while driving at night and increase your following distances. Remember not to overdrive your headlights. You should be able to stop inside the illuminated area.
- When you’re driving at night and there is another driver ahead of you, keep your headlights on low beams so you don't blind the other driver. If an oncoming vehicle doesn't lower their beams from high to low, avoid glare by watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
- If on a long road trip that includes night driving, make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get rest.
- If you have car trouble while driving at night, pull off the road as far as possible. Turn on your flashers and the dome light. Stay off the roadway and get passengers away from the area.
- Observe night driving safety as soon as the sun goes down. Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive, because your eyes are constantly changing to adapt to the growing darkness.
