Nighttime Driving Tips

Night driving is dangerous even under the best of circumstances. You may be surprised to note that while only 25% of car driving occurs at night, as many as 50% of all fatal car accidents take place at night. This fact was reported by the National Safety Council (NSC). In another similar report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) observed that car crashes are three times more likely to happen at night.

These numbers prove that you are at an increased risk of accident and injury when you travel at night. Fortunately, there are a few ways to stay safe even when you are driving a car at night. Talk to an experienced car accident attorney to maximize your financial compensation from the negligent driver if you get involved in a car accident at night.

Aim Your Headlights Correctly

Most headlights are pointed lower than they should be. This is even for brand-new cars. You should have a professional aim your headlights evenly. You can also do them yourself if you don’t mind following the instructions in the owner’s manual. You should aim the lights so that they point absolutely straight ahead. Flooding the road with random lights may not make driving safer for you.

Keep Your Dash Lights Dim

Most cars in the United States come with a dashboard dimmer switch. You should use this switch to cut down on the distracting light inside your vehicle. This will also allow you to focus on the road ahead. You will be able to remove reflections on the windshield by dimming your dashboard lights. Glare on the windshield can decrease visibility.

Lights inside the car, even if they are behind you can be distracting. They may make it harder for you to focus and drive. You should switch off all lights in the cabin or dim them as much as possible before you start driving at night.

Consider Changing Your Eyewear

If you are among the many people that need glasses to drive, you should choose the correct eyewear. Your glasses should not have any scratches that scatter light. They should improve and not hinder your nighttime vision. It’s best to wear prescription glasses with an anti-reflective coating. This may be a little expensive but will prevent unnecessary light from passing through and diminishing your vision.

Don’t Look Directly into Oncoming Lights

Bright lights coming straight on can make it difficult for you to keep your concentration on the road. You should try to make any car coming from the opposite direction dim its headlights. If this doesn’t work, you should choose a spot on the far right to focus your sight on. Never close your eyes if a car or truck’s light blinds you. Sometimes, split-second decisions can help you prevent a car crash.

Clean Your Exterior Mirrors

Everyone pays attention to their windshield, but no one really cleans their exterior mirrors. Dirty mirrors can reflect and distort light. Any light from a car behind you may get diffused or produce an extra glare that prevents you from seeing. You should clean the mirrors whenever you go out. You should also aim them downwards so that the light from cars behind you doesn’t disturb your vision.

Nighttime driving is three times more dangerous than heading out on the road during the day. You should make sure that you are careful and cautious when you do head out at night. This will ensure that you get where you need to be safe.

Stay Alert to Dangerous Drivers at Night

Many people change their driving behaviors at night, which only adds to the risk of nighttime car crashes. These are a few types of dangerous driving behaviors that can increase the risk of a car accident during the night:

• Intoxicated driving: Nearly 30% of fatal car accidents involve alcohol as per an NHTSA report. This makes it important to remain extra vigilant and avoid cars that may be swerving or taking unnecessary risks. In addition, you should avoid getting behind the wheel if you have had a few drinks as well.
• Drowsy driving: Driving when tired is the same as driving when drunk. Your reaction times are slow and you are unable to concentrate on the road. The NSC found that people who were driving for 20 hours without sleep experienced the same effects as those with a BAC of 0.08%.
• Distracted driving: While drivers should focus more when driving at night, the opposite is true. Texting while driving is rampant after the sun sets. Only about 2% of drivers said they won’t text while driving at night as per a recent survey.

You should speak with a seasoned car accident attorney if you were in a car crash because of the fault of another. Your attorney will help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Our Trial Attorneys have the Experience to Take on Large Insurance Companies.

The reputable car accident attorneys at the law firm of Frank M. Wilson can handle the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Our attorneys offer aggressive legal representation to help injured victims and their families secure the largest possible financial damages. To request your free and confidential consultation with us, call us at (334) 423-3137 or write to us online.