Everyone knows driving carries risks, but did you know that driving after the sun sets is significantly more dangerous? Lowered visibility, compounded by fatigue and the blinding effects of artificial light, dramatically increases the risk of accidents.
At Parkway Insurance Group, we believe caring makes the difference by equipping you with the knowledge to stay safe. Here are 15 detailed tips to help you navigate the added risks that come with driving after dark and protect what matters most—yourself and your passengers.
Visibility and Vehicle Preparation
- Keep Everything Clean and Clear Make sure your headlights, taillights, signal lights, and windows are clean and fully functional. Even a thin layer of grime on your windshield or headlights can greatly reduce visibility and light output, diminishing your ability to see and be seen.
- Aim Your Headlights Properly Ensure your headlights are properly aimed. Lights angled too low won’t illuminate enough of the road ahead, while lights aimed too high can blind oncoming drivers. This is a simple, often overlooked maintenance check.
- Use the Right Lights, Always You should always drive with your headlights on from dusk till dawn. Conversely, do not use your high beams in proximity to other cars (whether approaching or following closely), as this is dangerous and often illegal.
- Manage Glare from Other Cars If incoming headlights are temporarily blinding you, use the right edge of the road or the fog line as a guide to maintain your lane until the car passes. Immediately after, shift your focus back to the center of your lane.
- Adjust Your Mirrors Adjust your rearview mirror to the nighttime setting (often a small tab at the bottom) to prevent it from harshly reflecting the lights of cars behind you. This helps reduce eye strain and keeps your focus sharp.
Focus, Fatigue, and Reaction
- Fight Fixed Focus Don’t allow your focus to become fixed in any particular place. Continuously move your eyes and shift your focus between the immediate road ahead, the mirrors, and the road in the distance. This dynamic scanning helps keep your eyes accustomed to the low-light conditions.
- Regulate Interior Lights Minimize bright lights inside your vehicle. The strong contrast between a brightly lit cabin (from phones, navigation screens, or dome lights) and the dark road makes it much harder for your eyes to adjust to external darkness. Dim your dashboard lights as low as safely possible.
- Wear Anti-Reflective Lenses If you wear prescription glasses, ensure the lenses have an anti-reflective coating. This coating significantly reduces glare, halos, and starbursts from headlights and streetlights, which can be highly distracting and reduce clarity.
- Monitor Your Speed Watch your speed rigorously. A critical rule of night driving is that you must always be able to come to a complete stop within the distance made visible by your headlights. If you can’t see far enough to stop safely, you are driving too fast.
- Increase Following Distance If you’re following another car, increase your distance significantly beyond what you’d normally leave during daytime driving. Reduced visibility means reduced reaction time. More space provides a crucial buffer for you to stop if the car ahead brakes suddenly.
Situational Awareness and Risk Mitigation
- Take Breaks for Long Trips If you’re driving for extended periods, make regular stops for snacks, quick exercise, or even a power nap. Fatigue is a major contributor to nighttime accidents. Never try to push through severe drowsiness.
- Scan for Sudden Headlights Look for quick bursts of oncoming headlights reflecting off signs or objects. These flashes can be an indication of curves or hills ahead, giving you extra warning before the turn is visible.
- Watch for Wildlife Watch for deer and other animals. If you see one, immediately slow down and assume there are more nearby, as deer rarely travel alone. Be prepared to stop or slow dramatically.
- Respect the Most Critical Rule NEVER drink or use drugs and drive. This is non-negotiable and easily the greatest safety risk at any time, but especially when visibility is already compromised. Your reaction time and judgment are severely impaired.
- Stay Covered While preparedness is your first line of defense, protecting what matters most means securing your financial well-being. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is up-to-date and adequate to handle the higher financial risks associated with nighttime accidents.
By following this detailed checklist, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with driving after dark, ensuring that you and your passengers reach your destination safely.
Contact Parkway Insurance Group today +1 (281) 558-1991 or email us at info@parkwayinsurancegroup.com to review your auto policy and ensure you are correctly covered.
