Fatal accidents are three times more likely at night compared with the daytime, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTS). Use these 10 tips to help you arrive to your destination incident free.
Be Extra Defensive - Drinking and driving poses a bigger risk after dark, it's a good idea to put your defensive-driving instincts on high alert.
Combat Fatigue - Drowsy-driving crashes are most likely to happen between midnight and 6 a.m. So be aware during these hours that there may be sleepy drivers on the road.
Clean Up Your View - Dirty or damaged windshields can scatter light and potentially increase the effects of glare. So, clean your windshield regularly.
Avoid Two-Lane Highways if you can - Two-lane highways may be a "worst-case scenario" for nighttime glare, due to oncoming cars' headlights, lower overall light, and the fact that these roads tend to have more sharp curves and hills than a freeway. If you can, take a safer route at night.
Slow Down- Speeding-related crashes account for 37 percent of nighttime-driving fatalities.
Angle Your Headlights Correctly - If the beams tilt down too much, you'll lose some of the illumination you need while driving. But if they tilt too high, they can blind oncoming drivers.
Use High Beams When Appropriate - High beams are underutilized but can be very helpful in rural areas or on open roads. Just remember to dim them when you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
Tweak Your Inside Lighting - if your dashboard lights are too bright, glancing from the dashboard to the dark road ahead can be disorienting. Dim the interior lights at night, so that critical controls remain easily visible but not distracting.
Look in The Right Direction - While you should always keep your eyes on the road, avoid a fixed gaze and never stare at oncoming headlights.
Watch for Wildlife - Collisions with deer often happen at dusk or at night. Your high beams can help you spot an animal's glowing eyes. When you see them, the safest way to avoid an accident is by slowing down and stopping -not by swerving.
Use these questions to add to the discussion.
1.How much of my driving is done in the dark?
2. Does my windshield cause a glare at night?
3. Do I increase my following distance while driving at night?
