4 Tips for Driving Safer at Night

Driving a car is something most people do on a daily basis. Without a functional car, getting to work or dropping kids off at school would be impossible. While most people drive during the daylight hours, there will be occasions where navigating roadways at night will be necessary.

Unfortunately, a number of fatal accidents occur each year due to the inability to see well while driving at night. However, there are a number of things you can do to stay safe while driving at night and here are some of them.

Avoid Driving While Distracted

Most people own a smartphone or a tablet. These devices are a great way to stay connected, but they can be dangerous if they are used while driving. Each year, a number of accidents occur as a result of driving while distracted. You can learn more at Thurswell Law about these accidents and the damage they cause.

Instead of taking your eyes off the road to check a text or look at social media, staying focused on the road by putting away the device is a good idea. Driving at night is difficult enough, which is why removing the distraction of a cell phone is essential when trying to stay safe behind the wheel.

Drowsy Driving is a Horrible Idea

Over 40 percent of the fatal car accidents in the United States each year occur at night. Being extra defensive while night driving is not only smart, it may just save your life. Operating a motor vehicle when dealing with extreme fatigue is a horrible idea.

Driving while tired will cause a person to make a lot of mistakes that may lead to accidents occurring. Instead of trying to fix fatigue with temporary solutions like caffeine, stop and get some rest. While stopping may put you behind schedule, it is a good idea.

A Clean Car is a Safe Car

For most adults, finding time to do anything other than work and take care of kids is impossible. Usually, this lack of free time can lead to important tasks falling by the wayside. Keeping a car clean takes a lot of hard work and time, which you may not have an overabundance of.

Failing to clean a car that is covered in dirt can make it hard to see at night. If the windshield of a car is dirty, seeing through it at night can be challenging. Instead of putting yourself and other motorists at risk, try cleaning the car on a regular basis. The time and energy invested in this process will pay off in the long run.

Angling a Car’s Headlights Properly

The headlights are one of a car’s most important parts, especially when it is being operated at night. Often times, a car owner will have their headlights angled improperly and won’t even realize it.

If the headlights are pointing down at the ground, it will be very difficult to see the road at night. Taking the time to adjust the headlights properly can help you increase visibility while driving at night.

Preparation is Key

Properly preparing a car to be operated at night is the only way to avoid mishaps. Doing things like checking and changing the headlights or keeping the vehicle clean can make driving at night much easier.