Be Careful with Your Steering During Dark

Driving at night might be risky. There are many factors that make the ride unsafe like high beam, unsuspected road crossings, etc. Driving at night is three fold riskier than on day. You have to be very conscious and cautious while riding in dark hours.

Darkness surfaces many problems related to sight. Low visibility, diminishing depth perception and color blindness are common problems associated with darkness. Your eyes are tricked by high beam light focused by other vehicles on the road. This makes us difficult to avoid making errors. But that does not mean you are going to wait till morning for your travel. Here are some safety precautions you can adhere in case you need to drive or travel after sun goes down.

1. Use Headlights to Your Advantages

It is found sometime that headlights are uneven or pointed lower than necessary in some brand new cars. Use car’s manual to do this and be sure to wipe off dust that may cast dim glow in your headlights. Keep it maintained that the headlights produce same brightness as when it was new.

Always have your headlights turn on one hour before sunset and have it on for an hour even after sunrise. In fog, use low beam to increase your vision or fog lights to make yourself visible for other drivers.

2. Make Yourself Visible

In case of emergency or breakdown, pull off completely and get beyond guardrail. If your vehicle have emergency flashers turn it on. Make sure all your exterior lights work properly.

3. Keep Interior Lights Dim

Dashboard and other interior lights can affect your peripheral vision due to reflection if put it in maximum. Ensure that any source of interior lights can be noticed by the driver. Only wear glasses that are prescribed for vision correction with reflective coating. Avoid any other types of glasses during night time.

4. Never drive for a long time. Take short breaks to avoid fatigue and keep yourself alert. If you can share the driving responsibilities with, please do so. This will help to keep eye on each other and take a nap without losing time. Have a plenty of rest and snack before going for a long drive. Keep your windows slightly open to have cool air flowing.
5. Avoid gazing at oncoming headlights rather look at the right side of road. At night high beams can distract you. Reflect the light with mirror to alert the driver behind your car to change his lighting position.
6. During day you may easily spot pedestrian or animals from a certain distance. But at night that might be next to impossible. So, keep your eyes alert to retina reflection or reflective clothing bands. Try to keep your speed limit and thus adjusting your distance to avoid any fatal mistake. Do not swerve to avoid the animals as they may try to move towards light meaning towards you.
7. Keep your windshields and exterior mirrors clean and adjusted. Dirty windshields and mirrors can reflect light diffused manner. If exterior mirrors are properly adjusted and aligned, it can remove blind spots. Clean mirrors will help in reducing glare from high beam headlights. Do not forget to switch day-night setting for rear-view mirror which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the mirror.
8. Keep your eyes healthy. Have your eyes checked regularly to avoid any problems that may affect your night vision. Keep your eyes moving to spot far off light at bends and intersections from vehicles? This will help to reduce eye fatigue when looking at one spot for long time.

Hope you follow these simple rules while driving at night. Beware of erratic drivers or race enthusiasts and give them space instead of competing with them.