Tips to drive safer at night
There is no question that driving in the dark is more dangerous than driving in the daytime. No matter how bright your headlights are, there is only so much they can do to illuminate the road ahead. But there are some things that you can do to help lessen the risks of driving at night to stay safe on the road. Check them out!
Read More: Road trip safely with your pet!
How to drive safer at night
- Align your headlights so that they are aimed correctly at the road
- Clean your headlights often
- Dim your instrument panel and dashboard lights
- Leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles on the road
- Avoid staring at oncoming lights
- Keep your eyes out for animals on the side of the road by watching out for reflections of your headlights in an animals eyes
- If you spot a deer: slow down as fast as possible, and don’t try to swerve around it. They will often follow your headlights and move in front of you
- Clear your windows and windshield often to avoid build-up and keep your line of sight clear
- Clean and adjust your side mirrors and rearview mirror as needed
- Get your eyes checked regularly
- Take regular breaks to avoid getting too drowsy
- If you are feeling drowsy, stop and stretch, get some fresh air, do jumping jacks, or get a coffee from a convenience store to help you stay alert
- If you are too drowsy, stop at a safe rest stop or a hotel to get some sleep
Especially when you are traveling at night, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you are tired and feel yourself nodding off behind the wheel, it is important to listen to your body and take a break to get some rest. Keep your headlights bright (but lower them when you see oncoming traffic to avoid dazzling another driver!), give yourself plenty of space between vehicles around you and plenty of time to reach your destination, and always be alert for dangers on or around the road that could cause an accident!
We hope these tips are helpful to you while driving at night. You can get your lights checked out and aligned at our service department! You can make an appointment online before coming in to Palmen of Racine!
