Difference between revisions of "Drive at Night"

While it may be difficult to tell whether a black shape in front of your headlights is a deer or a pedestrian when you're driving late at night, it's '''not''' hard to see why night driving can be so daunting for many drivers. Despite the fact that the majority of driving is done during the day, about 40-50% of accidents occur at night. Luckily, there's no reason that night driving has to be unsafe — with a few simple precautionary measures, you can drive safely, keep your visibility high, and even enjoy the unique experience of an immersive night drive!

#When in doubt, turn your lights on. As night slowly begins to fall over a city's streets and highways, there is almost always an hour or two during which some cars will have their headlights on and others will not. As a general rule, if you notice the day becoming darker (even just slightly), it's a smart idea to flip your headlights on. Though you may not need your headlights to see the road during these times, other drivers may have an easier time seeing ''you'' with your headlights on (especially if the setting sun is behind you, obscuring the view of oncoming traffic).<ref name="rf1">http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.1.9.shtml</ref>

#* Additionally, it's important to note that in many jurisdictions, driving without your headlights on in the evening or morning can be against the law. For instance, in California, headlights must be on from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise (and during any other low-visibility conditions).<ref name="rf1" />

#Be wary of drunk and tired drivers. Statistically, there are almost always more drunk and overtired drivers on the road at night than there are during the day.<ref name="rf2">http://www.driversedguru.com/drivers-ed-training-exercises/stage-3/stage-3-night-driving/</ref> This can have deadly consequences &mdash; for instance, in 2011, drunk driving contributed to more than four times as many accidents at night as it did during the  day.<ref name="rf3">http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/about/drunk-driving-statistics.html</ref> Both of these conditions can dramatically lower a driver's reaction speed and lead to reckless behavior, so keep an eye out for erratic drivers on the road and give them a wide berth.

#* Keep in mind that weekend nights (Friday and Saturday) usually have more drunk drivers than ordinary weeknights because many people choose to start their weekend with a drink or two. Holidays can be ''especially'' bad. For instance, some analysis has shown that the early hours of January 1st can be the deadliest time of the year for drunk driving accidents.<ref name="rf4">http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/31/jan-1-is-worst-day-for-drunken-driving-analysis-shows/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0</ref>

#Take frequent breaks to fight fatigue. Just as you'll want to keep an eye out for other motorists who may be impaired by fatigue, you'll also want to make sure to keep your own fatigue in check. Being fatigued on the road can have many of the same risks as being drunk, including decreased awareness, slower reaction times, frequent "spacing out," weaving in and out of the lane, and so on.<ref name="rf5">http://www.optalert.com/news/driver-fatigue-symptoms-cause-and-effects</ref> To fight these problems, be sure to stop frequently, giving yourself a chance to exercise, have some food and/or caffeine, and re-focus before getting back on the road.

#Watch for animals, especially in rural areas. Animals crossing the road can be especially dangerous at night. It can be very difficult to see animals ahead of you on poorly-lit roads when driving at high speeds and crashes involving large animals like deer can be deadly or cause major damage (for the driver, animal, and car). Stay vigilant when you're in places where deer or other animals are likely to cross the road (like rural areas). Pay attention to any animal crossing signs posted near the road and lower your speed appropriately. Additionally, be aware that most deer-related accidents occur in the late fall and  early winter (though they can happen year-round).<ref name="rf6">http://www.cultureofsafety.com/driving/deer-vs-car-collisions/</ref>

#* If you see an animal ahead of you, the smartest move is usually '''not to swerve'''. While it may be your first instinct, swerving is actually the leading cause of injuries and fatalities from deer-related accidents.<ref name="rf6" /> Instead, lower your speed as much as you can by pressing the brakes and allow your car to hit the animal.

#* One useful trick for spotting animals ahead of you is to look for their retinas. While it's usually difficult or impossible to see an animal's body before it comes into the range of your headlights, you can often see the light reflected in its eyes from much farther away.<ref name="rf7">http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/10-safety-tips-for-driving-after-dark#slide-5</ref> If you see two closely-spaced glowing dots in the darkness up ahead, slow down!

#Keep your eyes moving. "Spacing out" can be a big problem for nighttime drivers. To stay focused, try to keep your eyes moving while you drive. Constantly scan the road ahead of you for potential hazards. Glance to the sides of the road and check your mirrors occasionally to remain aware of your surroundings. Resist the urge to simply focus on the dividing line in the middle of the road &mdash; this doesn't give you much important visual information and can "hypnotize" you into a state of reduced awareness.<ref name="rf8">http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/auto/safety/night-driving/</ref>

#* It's also possible to adjust your headlights yourself. Since every car is different, if you want to do this, be sure to follow the instructions in your car's owner's manual. Be patient &mdash; it can take some time to get a set of headlights aligned perfectly.<ref name="rf9">http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/10-safety-tips-for-driving-after-dark#slide-2</ref>

#* If a car ''behind'' you is using its high-beams, try adjusting your rear view mirror to keep the light out of your eyes. You can even move the mirror to shine the light back at the driver and alert him to his mistake.<ref name="rf9" />

#Consider adding low-to-the-ground fog lights. If you anticipate doing lots of driving at night and in foggy conditions, you may want to consider investing in a set of after-market fog lights. Often, these lights are mounted low on the front bumper to illuminate as much of the road ahead as possible (fog often is thinnest in the foot or so just above the road).<ref name="rf10">http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/10-safety-tips-for-driving-after-dark#slide-11</ref> However, not all after-market lights are created equal, so talk to an automotive expert before making this purchase.

#If you wear glasses, use an anti-reflective coating. Other cars' headlights (and especially high-beams) can pose unique challenges to drivers with glasses. Glasses can sometimes reflect oncoming lights in ways that create an obscuring glare for the wearer. To avoid this, try wearing contacts or buying a set of glasses that use an anti-reflective coating, which should minimize these effects.<ref name="rf11">http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/10-safety-tips-for-driving-after-dark#slide-4</ref>