Did you know that more vehicle accidents occur at night than during the day? Of course, it has to deal with minimal visibility. Not to mention, light glares, foggy conditions, or rain and snow can make it even tougher to see. It can be difficult for drivers of all ages, experienced or new.
With daylight savings ending, nearly every motorist on the road has to deal with the difficulties of low visibility as early as 4 or 5 in the afternoon. To ensure you’re safe and your vehicle road-worthy, we thought we’d share these helpful nighttime driving safety tips.
Check Your Vision
This might seem silly to throw in our blog, but are your eyes healthy? You should always check your vision on an annual basis. Perhaps, a new pair of glasses or contacts can make driving easier. Furthermore, eyesight tends to worsen with age.
Be Well-Rested
Driving at night when you’re feeling groggy or sleepy poses major risks of an accident. Not only are you already at a disadvantage in terms of visibility but adding sleepiness to the mix can cause an accident. Make sure to stay well-rested throughout the winter.
Test All Your Vehicle Lights
Your vehicle has many lights that offer optimal visibility. Now is the time to assess their condition. Check to see if they are dimming or dying out, so you can replace them before they burn out. Here is an excellent checklist to start with:
- Low Beam Headlights
- High Beam Headlights
- Daytime Lights
- Tail Lights
- Fog Lights
- Hazard Lights
- .. and more!
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your High Beams
Speaking of lights, we encourage you to use your high beams as they are the brightest and most concentrated type of light on your vehicle. Just make sure you know the general best practices. For instance, only use them when there is no incoming traffic. Otherwise, you could blind other drivers.
Keep Your Windshield Clean
Aside from lights, you should care about your windshield. A dirty windshield can cause glares, making your visibility worse at night. This can be as easily done with Windex and a microfiber cloth.
At Paul’s Automotive in Baltimore, we want to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. If you need any maintenance or repairs, please do not hesitate to contact our professional team to make an appointment. Feel free to call or schedule an appointment online today.