How to Avoid a Car Accident When Driving at Night
If you drive at night, your risk of being in a car accident is heightened. Don’t just take our word for it. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), you’re three times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident at night when compared to during the day.
Once the sun goes down, you need to pay even more attention to the road. Here are some tips on how to avoid a car accident when driving during the night.
Combat Fatigue
Whether you’re heading on a vacation, business trip, or driving home from work during winter, when it gets dark, you need to be fully alert and aware of other motorists. When driving long hours, tiredness can soon kick in, which can put you in the firing line of a car accident. Fatigue can kill when you are behind the wheel, so you must take regular breaks, have some caffeine, and only get into the driver’s seat if you feel up to it. Should you lose concentration, you could end up in a car accident and need to hire a lawyer like https://richardharrislaw.com/motor-vehicle-accident-lawyer/ to handle your case.
Keep Your Windshield Clean
A damaged or dirty windshield can increase the effects of glare and make it harder to see. Before heading on a nighttime ride, you must clean your windshield and headlights regularly. Make sure that it is clean both on the inside and outside. You might not spot dirt during the day, but at night you’ll see dust and small particles much more clearly. You can use a special cleaning kit for your windshield.
Maintain Your Lights
You may not be aware, but your headlights could be pointed in the wrong direction. This could not only bother other motorists but not light the road in front of you. If you’re driving on roads without streetlights, you need as much light as you can to see what is ahead.
Slow Down
If you’re driving on an unlit highway, your headlights will only light so far in front of you. And should you drive in bad weather conditions like a snowstorm or heavy rain, going over the speed limit can prove deadly, even if there are fewer cars on the road. You should never speed to get from A to B. There are too many risks associated with speeding, so it’s wise to slow down according to your situation.
Take Care of Your Eyes
As we get older, our vision begins to decline. This means while you may have no trouble driving in the day, once nighttime arrives, you may struggle to see the open road. To avoid putting yourself, passengers, and other motorists at risk, it’s recommended to get your vision checked annually.
Watch Out for Animals
Depending on where you live in the US, it’s not unusual to see animals crossing highways during the night. Whether it’s small rabbits or large elks, if you cannot spot them from a good distance, you may end up swerving and hitting another vehicle.
If you’re driving at night, there are more challenges and hazards to be aware of. To ensure you get from A to B safely, all the safety tips above can help.
