Driving at night can have benefits such as there being less cars on the road and there is usually less roadwork being done at night, but there are cons to driving at night as well. Half of all accidents that happen on the road happen in the evening and night hour. Other downsides to driving at night can be the chances of encountering people who are driving over the speed limit or drunk driving increase, the chances of hitting an animal increase, and if you don’t know the area you are driving through the chances of getting lost are much higher at night.
There are things you can do to make sure you are being as safe as possible while driving at night. You can read our Safe Night Driving Tips below!
AVOID DROWSY DRIVING:
Make sure you get enough sleep every night. Half of all accidents that happen on the road occur in the evening and night hours and the main factor for this is the lack of sleep. The lack of sleep can result in impaired reaction time, judgment, and vision. It can cause problems with your information processing and short-term memory along with decreased performance, increased aggression, increased appetite, and weakened immune system. It is also very important to stay alert of other tired drivers. To read more tips about getting better sleep read our blog here.
AVOID DISTRACTED DRIVING:
Never use your phone while driving, this applies to all times of the day, but this can be especially dangerous at night. Taking your eyes off the road for even a split second can cause an accident. Consider putting your phone on silent or do not disturb mode while driving. Call and text your friends and loved ones when you are on a break, or you are done driving for the day.
AVOID IMPAIRED VISION:
It is already harder to see at night than it is during the day. To maximize your vision, you’ll want to:
- Dim your dashboard lights
- Avoid looking at oncoming traffic
- Let your eyes adjust to the darker conditions
- Use your high beams when it is safe and legal to do so (not within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle)
CLEAN YOUR WINDSHIELD:
If you don’t keep your windshield clean, it can cause light to reflect in the wrong way and limit your visibility at night. Clean your windshield when you can and replace your wiper blades when needed to keep your windshield as clean as possible.
PLAN YOUR TRIP:
It is easier to get lost at night because landmarks and signs are harder to see than during the day. Plan ahead and learn about the area you are going to be driving through. Learn the turns, exits, problem areas (construction zones, etc.), where gas stations and truck stops are, etc. The best way to avoid getting lost is to plan ahead!
WATCH OUT FOR DRUNK DRIVERS:
It can be nice to drive at night because there are fewer cars on the road at nighttime, but there are also more drunk drivers. Drunk drivers are just as dangerous to other drivers as they are to themselves. Make sure your eyes are peeled for them, especially on the weekends, and during the times that bars usually close (between midnight and 2am). If you see a driver swerving and having a hard time staying in their lane, be sure to stay clear of them!
Even though some of these might seem like common sense, each tip is an important for drivers who will be driving at night. Make sure you are taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety on the road while driving on the road at night!
