Most rear-view mirrors can be tilted to a "day-night" setting, which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the mirror. A safe speed should enable you to brake or manoeuvre to avoid a hazard without endangering those around you, and to stop within the distance you can see to be clear. A well-maintained vehicle will allow for safer driving at night and reduce the risks of the driver getting stranded alongside the road! We're here to help. If well away from the oncoming vehicle and you decide to do so swiftly don't leave your high beams on in spite or to "get back" at the oncoming driver. Use your headlights from sunset until sunrise and during periods of poor visibility and bad weather. Best New Car Incentives, Lease Deals for October 2020. We recommend that drivers go for check-ups, especially if they believe that they might experience symptoms of night blindness. First published on the 14th of December 2016. It's vital to have your sight checked regularly as this will show up any underlying eye problems such as glaucoma that may affect your night vision. One of the reasons why it is best to avoid driving at night is the risks of vehicle failure and other emergencies that could leave you stranded in dangerous areas. Compare cheap quotes from up to 116 providers. Help drivers see you in twilight by turning your headlights on before sunset and keeping them on for an hour after sunrise. If blinded -rather slow down or stop.

At age 60 and older, driving can become even more difficult, according to the American Optometric Association. Turn on flashers and the interior dome light. Do not forget that your high beams are on -Always dim your lights for oncoming traffic. You need to focus 100% attention on the road to spot hazards and to anticipate what other drivers would do.
The older a driver gets the more frequent these check-ups should be repeated. If you cannot see you should not be driving! Many drivers fall into a "microsleep" where the driver unknowingly falls asleep for a mere second or two at a time. Keep a … Sharing the roads with fatigued drivers after a hard day of work or those who have been driving long distances. The most important aspect to consider is what we can see and how far we can see!

It is advised that employers establish a safe driving policy taking cognisance of routes, work and driving hours to reduce required travel at night. If an oncoming vehicle fails to dim their high beams be very cautious as to how you alert such a driver by flashing your lights. Always be careful with your high beams so you don't blind others and cause a head-on collision. Adequate distance ensures that you’ll have enough room to brake hard. It is important to recognize the increased risks when driving at night. Omni Directional Law Enforcement Confirmation Lights (Blue Traffic Lights) – Sound Ominous to You? Your windscreen wipers must be fully functional as risks increase driving in bad weather at night. Be aware that oncoming truck drivers, seated much higher than you may be blinded by your lights much earlier than you are their lights! See how much you could save. Limit Distractions

Keeping the headlights clean, aimed in the right direction and lit is the key to safe night driving. The human eye needs light to see, which makes a driver’s ability to judge and perceive distance at night impaired. Adjust your rearview mirror and side mirrors so that when beams from the car behind you hit them, they won’t affect your vision. Alcohol not only impairs driving ability but also induces fatigue. Confused.com, 3rd Floor, Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3AL, United Kingdom Read the road ahead for signs of oncoming drivers – glimmers of light at the top of hills and at bends could be the headlights of other vehicles, giving you prior warning. Avoid smoking when driving as the nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision. Here are some tips for staying safe and alert in the wee hours of the morning. Don’t dazzle others - dip your lights when faced with another road user. Stay alert to the fact that even though you may feel wide alert, many others may not be!

Whether you're driving or using public transport for essential travel, here's how you can keep safe. Research from Confused.com reveals that over a third of the UK's street lights are dimmed and 12% are switched off completely, making driving at night even more difficult: Your browser does not support iframes. Fog lamps are a bit more effective at cutting through fog, but their intensity can hurt the eyes of other motorists if it's a clear night.
This distance becomes less in bad weather. Look at the lane marker as a guide then look quickly ahead to determine the other vehicle’s position. Reduced ability to judge speed and distance at night. Safe Driving at Sunrise and Sunset / Dusk and Dawn, © 2020 - All Rights Reserved www.arrivealive.co.za, Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, Road Safety Awareness among our young Football Stars, 4x4 Driving with Mud Tyres and Mud Driving, Tools and Spare Parts for Safe 4x4 Driving, Cracked Windshield, Safe Driving and the Law, Safe Driving on Safari / Nature Reserves, Safe Driving with Tractors and Preventing Tractor Accidents, Road Traffic Offences and Bail Applications, Rights and Obligations when stopped by a Traffic Officer, Renewal or Replacement of RSA Credit Card Format Driving Licence, Safety, Prevention and Treatment from Burns, Safe storage of chemicals vital to avoid disastrous fires, Swimming Safely and Advice to Prevent Drowning, Pedestrian safety from snakes and snake bites, Safety with Electricity and Preventing Electrocution & Fire. Avoid taking medication or foods that may make you drowsy. To follow the tip above, you can gauge the distance between your car and the car in front of you using your headlights. As we age, we have greater difficulty seeing at night. The contrast between dark and bright can impede your vision. Always Keep Your Windshield (and car) Clean Criminals are often lurking in the dark, placing objects in the road to cause crashes and rob drivers and occupants.

Driving at night poses many more challenges than day driving. Approach slowly, look both ways and proceed with caution - do not assume safety!

Get Driving News Daily updates with unique motorist news & views delivered right to your inbox! Driving at night requires defensive and thoughtful driving! This may allow you to keep the other car's headlights out of your eyes - and prevent them from temporarily blinding you with their high beams. Road authorities agree that night driving presents unique challenges, increased risks and numerous deaths and injuries. Ford Reals Self-Driving Escape Hybrid Test Vehicles, Beep launching autonomous shuttle pilot in 2021 at Yellowstone National Par, Ohio partners with Michigan, Pennsylvania to launch test of autonomous trucks, Waymo Rolls Out Driverless Taxis in Phoenix. Adjust your speed and be ready to slow down - allow yourself the time and space to react to whatever comes out of the dark. Low beams should give you about 160 feet of illumination, while high beams top out at 500 feet or so.

Limit the brightness inside your car by using the lowest setting in your dashboard lights. When in doubt as to whether you should use your lights, turn them on! The Success Of Autonomous Vehicles Hinges On Smart Cities. Be considerate with use of full beam. Your headlights should illuminate the road ahead of you for approximately 4 seconds of headway. Manage cookies and view our policy. Tips for Nighttime Driving Driving at night can be dangerous for several reasons. We are also less able to pick up sudden movements quickly and respond to them effectively at night. Not every risk is beyond our control. Don’t use the full beam in town. Help drivers see you in twilight by turning your headlights on before sunset and keeping them on for an hour after sunrise. According to the NHTSA, fatal crashes due to alcohol impairment are four times higher at night than during the day – 37% compared to 9%. It is best to ensure that they both work at the same level of efficiency or to replace them in pairs. We would like to offer some suggestions on safe driving techniques: Plan your route so you're aware of any steep descents, sharp corners and other hazards specific to that route.

Think Safety! Ensure your windows and headlights are clean (inside and outside). Slow down if the other driver is blinding you with his high beam - it is not the correct response to match his mistake by doing the same. Be aware that it is more difficult to judge speed and distance at night.