You might be wondering why you should drive slower at night compared to daytime. Whether you are a veteran or novice driver, nighttime driving can be quite a challenge; therefore, it is always advisable to do it with a lot of care.
Before looking at all reasons that make nighttime driving complicated, it is best to understand that you should slow down any time of the day when visibility is limited. Your range of visibility often impacts your reaction time; therefore, lower visibility results in a slower reaction time. When it’s dark, you cannot see far and will not be mentally prepared to stop suddenly or quickly slow down in case of an emergency.
Here are some of the reasons why you should drive slower at night.
Most Drivers Are Usually More Tired at Night
You are most likely to be more tired at night, especially after a long day at work. Even if you are not tired, you should be cautious during nighttime because other motorists on the road might not be as awake as you are. Remember that tired drivers are a risk to everyone on the road, and it is your responsibility to be cautious and drive slower.
Lower Visibility at Night
A driver’s range of visibility often affects their reaction time. Lower visibility frequently leads to a slower reaction time. You will not mentally prepare to suddenly stop or slow down when the need occurs because it is dark outside, and you cannot see far.
It is also challenging to evaluate how fast an oncoming vehicle is approaching at night. Pedestrians dressed in dark clothing are harder to spot at night and react effectively as they cross the road. Also, some drivers may forget to turn on their taillights/headlights at night, and you might not spot them easily. These are some of the reasons you need to slow down at night because failure to do so might result in an accident. It would be best if you also were extremely alert when driving at night to ensure that the area around you is clear.
Tips on How to Stay Safe When Driving at Night
It is essential to understand that nighttime driving has many risks; however, they shouldn’t discourage you from hitting the road. You should take precautions to ensure that nighttime driving is safe for you because it would be impractical to avoid nighttime driving for the rest of your life. Here are tips to help you stay safe when driving at night:
Have Enough Rest
Lack of natural light at night distresses the internal clock of your body leading to lower alertness levels and drowsiness. You should take a quick siesta before your nighttime drive whenever it’s possible. If you find yourself getting sleepy behind the wheel, turn up the radio or crank up the air conditioning.
It is also advisable to pull over when in a safe place and walk around or get a snack to remain awake. If you are driving long distances, factor in time for breaks when creating your itinerary.
Dim the Internal Dashboard Lights
Your eyes are most likely to get distracted from the road when internal dashboard lights are too bright. Be sure to adjust the settings when driving to enable you to see the key controls and ensure that you are not blinded.
Pay Attention to the Cleanliness of Your Headlights
Your headlights might collect gunk and dirt over time, making them appear discolored or cloudy. If they are severely dirty, their brightness will be reduced, preventing you from seeing as well as you should. If you determine that your headlights are cloudy, get a cleaning kit to help you keep them clean to ensure that your view of the road is fully illuminated.
Use the High Beams
Utilizing your high beams is an essential tip when driving at night because they light up the way ahead and to the sides of the roads giving you better situational awareness. It would help if you turned on your high beams during nighttime driving in areas that have limited street lighting. Additionally, rural regions and places outside the city require you to use high beams.
Just be sure to dip them when you see oncoming traffic or are closely following another car to avoid blinding their drivers.
Nighttime driving can be dangerous and tricky. However, practicing defensive driving tactics and following these tips can help reduce the risk of an accident. Be safe and drive slower at night.