As November approaches, the time change forces us to drive more frequently at night. But not all drivers feel secure. Therefore they are happy with some recommendations to increase their safety.
Drivers are aware of the diminishing number of daylight hours and the impending arrival of winter, so they will have to spend more time behind the wheel without natural light.
The following advice can be applied all year long and is especially helpful during the warmer months when many people commute or travel at night.
Hints for nighttime driving safety
There is no question that keeping your car in good working order is crucial, especially when it comes to the safety-essential components like tires, brakes, suspension, and steering.
It is preferable to turn on the lights before the sun sets so that we may see and be seen.
Beyond that, however, there are other considerations when driving at night, whether for short or long distances. These are listed below:
The driver
Check your vision frequently; those with poor vision know the appalling contrast between poorly graded and well-graduated spectacles or contact lenses.
Everything will be much simpler if you have a good idea, and driving will feel much more secure. So make sure to check your eyesight and don’t neglect it routinely.
Adequate sleep: It’s essential to get enough sleep the night before, especially if we’re going on a trip. Otherwise, the night will wear us out physically. In addition, there won’t be as much traffic, which will cause us to nod off gradually.
Use long-range headlights sensibly: In dimly lit places, long-range headlights are pretty helpful as they enable us to foresee what is ahead well in advance.
But we must always be mindful not to blind other motorists, as doing so could result in an accident that directly impacts us.
The automobile
Perfectly working lights are our cars and, by extension, our own eyes. Our visibility is greatly affected by things like blown or outdated lights, filthy bulbs, etc.; if they are not in perfect working order, we won’t be able to drive.
As with the headlights, it’s critical to see what’s going on outside, and it will be more challenging if the windows are dirty. Clean windows and glass clear of debris.
The same thing occurs when we position objects in our range of view or when the windshield wipers fail to function correctly when needed.
Our nighttime safety is significantly increased by working lights.
Adaptive behaviors
Respecting speed limits is always necessary, but it is especially crucial at night since we become less alert. Above all, to feel safe, adjust your speed to your demands and ability as a driver.
Please turn on the lights at dusk: To see and be seen clearly, it is preferable to turn on the lights before the sun sets and the road becomes completely dark.
Lights are not a bother even during the day unless we are careless enough to utilize the high beam or fog lights.
Reduce the amount of lighting inside the passenger area as much as possible because it will be easier to see outside with less illumination.
The ambient lights shouldn’t be turned on unless essential, and the instrument panel’s brightness should be decreased if feasible.
Maintain a safe distance: Since it is harder to predict what can happen at night, giving the car in front a bit extra room is essential.
As a result, we will have more time to respond to unforeseen circumstances and break.
Keep a close eye on your mirrors. Although the lights make it simple to see vehicles in front of you and to the sides at night, it’s a good idea to utilize the mirrors more intently to be aware of the cars around you at all times.
Although highlights are tremendously helpful, try not to blind other motorists.
Maintain a comfortable temperature in the passenger area. Too much heat or cold can make us feel uncomfortable or sleepy, so keeping the site at a temperature that makes us feel comfortable in our clothing is crucial.
Make rest pauses since, as we’ve already mentioned, the night always makes us sleepy even when we’ve slept. The best course of action is to plan on stopping once or more during the journey, even for a drink or a brief nap.
Beware of glare: At some point, an inattentive driver may undoubtedly blind us, or we may be traveling over a gradient change that temporarily produces this effect.
This can be anticipated by paying attention to the road’s trajectory at such a time. Avoid staring straight ahead instead of leaning slightly to the side where the incoming flashing light is located.
When possible, driving on highways or well-lit roads is preferable because they typically have better lighting and fewer vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. However, this is not always practicable.
When driving on a fully dark stretch of road, we may be inclined to follow the car in front out of inertia. Instead, look for other vehicles’ lines, not the pathways.
But this car could make a mistake or take a random exit, leading to an accident. The best course of action is to pay close attention to the signs placed horizontally and vertically and the lines that define the lanes.
How to stay awake, or how to recognize when we are dozing off
It is typical for our biological clock to slow down and manifest as sleep during the night because it is far more robust than it may look.
There are instances when we cannot stop it and must instead stop and sleep, but there are some habits that can help us delay it:
Rest before: this has already been emphasized and is essential. Otherwise, it would be wiser to postpone the journey.
Light dinners make the body feel more delicate, and sleep will come more slowly.
Do not smoke; this habit often results in drowsiness and adds to distractions while driving.
We have already stated this, but we will reiterate it: keep the heat out of the passenger area. Heat tends to make people drowsy.
The radio can be a helpful travel companion, but we can quickly nod off if the music is too quiet or the program is monotonous.
The companion: If you travel with someone, it is preferable to take a break. At the same time, the driver is alert and alert, relieving him or assisting him in recognizing when he begins to nod off during the most extended parts of the trip.
Tearing, tired, or itchy eyes are signs that we are exhausted and should stop since our body is about to reach the end of its energy reserves, which can be used to determine if we are about to fall asleep. Yelling or a sensation of restlessness are further signs.
Remember that at 120 km/h, we move 33 meters in a second. A little moment of eye closure can cause us to crash or run off the road, which could end in a fatal accident. Does it merit it?
