As you may know, accidents are highly likely to occur during the night-time more than in the daytime. The major reason is that drivers cannot see well when the dark comes. Some other reasons such as drowsiness or broken headlights might also lead to seriously fatal accidents.

There are still lots of tips for driving in the dark that you should know, and you can find them out in this article. With these 7 following tips, you will be more confident when driving in such a condition.

Several tips for driving in the dark

1. Use headlights

That will be good if you have a habit of turning the headlights on often. Normally, when driving on the road and the dusk begins, you should switch on the headlamps before that for at least one hour. The lights help you see everything ahead more clearly and easily.

Under poor weather such as rain or storms, you should also use headlights, even when it is daylight. These weather patterns might bring dark clouds in, turning the sky as dark as the evening.

Besides, you had better use the full beam with some unlit roads so that you have clearer visibility. Yet, if there is another vehicle going from the opposite road, you have to change back to the dipped beam at once. That avoids dazzling other people.

By contrast, if you are dazzled, reduce the speed, and quickly pull over. Wait a little bit till when your eyes adjust and can look at the road’s verge. Or else, you should buy some driving glasses at night to diminish the effect.

2. Avoid drowsiness

According to statistics, there are more than 1 million car accidents every year around the world. One of the leading reasons is that drivers feel fatigued during their journeys. Night driving might make your eyes bleary-eyed than normal, especially when you drive for a long time.

Before setting off your long trip, schedule to rest at some stops for refreshments or caffeinated drinks. By contrast, if your trip is short and you cannot stop for a break time, think about taking some snacks or drinks. Choose the ones that can keep you awake better.

Driving when being tired or exhausted is very dangerous like driving when being drunk. If you feel drowsy at the beginning, stop to break until you feel safe and certain to get back.

3. Check mirrors frequently

Even it is daylight or nighttime, you still have to check your mirrors often when driving. People might find it hard to look at surroundings as they tend to transfix on the road ahead, especially during the night.

It is recommended that you should check mirrors every 3 or 5 minutes to keep alert. For instance, if a car follows yours too closely, you can prepare and take some precautions to prevent the unexpected accident.

4. Keep pace with other vehicles

It is crucial to keep a distance from other cars during the night. Normally, you will see a sign like chevrons. But in case there is no indicator, what should you do? It is time to apply the two-second rule.

This general rule suggests that drivers should stay only two seconds behind other cars in front. It seems to be useful in preventing collisions while providing a proper braking distance.

About the rule, you had better use some reference points such as exits or lamp posts. There are lots of static objects on the roadside that you can employ. When the front vehicle goes to this point, you can start counting inside your head for only two seconds.

If you go to the point before you have done counting, that is too close. Time to release the accelerator, then have a check to ensure the safe distance. Another similar rule that is helpful during extreme weather is a four-second rule. You can adapt it for extra safety.

5. Watch out for speed signs

If you drive on a familiar road, you already know the speed limits for each segment of the journey. But, when you travel to a new place, paying attention to speed signs is a must as it helps you to keep a legal and safe speed.

A lot of modern vehicles are recently equipped with sign recognition so you can opt for a proper speed. Yet, you should only consider this feature as an alternative. Instead, you can look around to find some clues of the speed limit as each area has a specific limit.

For instance, if you drive in residential housing, the suggested speed is about 50-60 kilometers per hour. This can be a reference for you when seeing no road signs.

6. Keep mirrors and windows clean

Some people might ignore this and think it is unimportant. But it is vital to clean your windows or mirrors to ensure safety, especially during the night. Smeary or messy mirrors and windows can result in glare when you drive in the evening.

You can use a microfiber cloth to rectify the grubby windows. Besides, you should not touch the interior part of the glass as well as the rear mirror.

7. Watch out for wildlife animals

This usually happens, especially when you drive at night or even at dusk. Some reports say that there are collisions with wildlife, particularly deer, are quite common between October and January.

One way to spot the animal is to turn the high beam on so that you can see its glowing eyes at night. If you see them suddenly, stay calm and slow down first. Then you stop gently, avoiding swerving if you can.

The bottom line

In brief, there are many challenges and difficulties when you drive in the dark. Besides some tips for driving in the dark above, you also need to equip yourself with knowledge. Getting prepared and having a clear plan are also good ideas for your journey at night.

Keep in mind that you should always stay alert and keep your eyes ahead to watch out for danger. Hope that, with these tips, you will have a good night’s trip with your beloved ones.