Driving at night can be dangerous for many reasons. At night, you’ll have an increased risk of encountering fatigued or intoxicated drivers, in addition to dealing with traffic congestion and poor lighting conditions. At the Ibrahim Law Firm, our car accident lawyers have created this guide on tips that will help you stay safe on the road at night, reducing your chances of being involved in a serious motor vehicle collision.
Night Driving Safety Tips
Driving at night comes with many risks, but by following these tips on how to stay safe on the road at night, you can reduce your chances of being involved in a car crash and drive with greater confidence.
Combat Drowsy Driving
When a driver is not well rested, they are less attentive when driving. If you feel tired, your attention span is waning, and your eyelids feel heavy, it’s time to take a break. Other ways to combat fatigue while driving include rolling down the windows, listening to music, or getting a caffeinated drink.
Avoid Two-Lane Highways at Night
When you’re driving down a two-lane highway at night, it’s easy to get blinded by a pair of high beams. Stick to roads that have multiple lanes instead to avoid being blinded by a pair of headlights.
Make Sure Your Mirrors and Windshield is Clean
A huge part of staying safe on the road at night is visibility. The better you’re able to see, the safer you’ll be. Before you head out on the road, make sure your mirrors and windshield are clean. Dirty windshields can scatter light, worsening the effects of glare.
Shut Off Interior Lights
Any light sources in your vehicle can create a distraction. To prevent this, shut off any unnecessary interior lights and dim your display lights. You’ll still be able to see important features without the distraction of excessive lighting.
Adjust Headlights
When driving at night, clean, functional headlights are crucial. The headlight’s protective plastic should be kept clean, allowing the light from the bulb to easily shine through. How your headlights are angled also matters. If the headlights are too low a driver will be unable to see what lies ahead. If the headlights are too high, a driver can risk blinding oncoming traffic.
Only Use High Beams When Appropriate
High beams that are functioning properly will dramatically improve visibility, which will improve driving conditions, especially if you’re driving in low-light areas, such as back roads. However, these powerful lights can easily blind other motorists who are coming from the opposite direction. When you see another driver approaching, make sure you switch to low beams.
Drive at a Lower Speed
When you’re dealing with reduced visibility and an increased risk of encountering motorists who aren’t fully paying attention to the road, driving at a lower speed at night can help to keep you safe. Driving at a lower speed can ensure you have as much time as possible to react to anything unexpected, whether it’s an erratic driver, debris on the road, or an animal on the road.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Driving your car at night comes with increased safety risks, however, knowing what to watch out for and being prepared can help keep you safe. If you do find yourself involved in an auto accident at night, one of the first steps you should take is contacting a car accident lawyer. At the Ibrahim Law Firm, our car accident lawyers offer free legal consultations. If you were injured in a car crash at night due to a negligent driver, contact the Ibrahim Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers to learn how they can help you recover compensation for your accident-related damages.
