To stay safe on the road, you must adapt the way you drive based on weather conditions such as rain, snow and wind. However, it\u2019s also necessary to take into account the amount of light available. At Certified Auto Repair, we know accidents are more likely to happen in the dark, and so we\u2019ve compiled a list of the key things needed to drive safely at night.<\/p>\n
1. Your headlights<\/strong><\/p>\n Your vehicle\u2019s headlights allow you to see and be seen. Therefore, when the sun sets, make sure to turn on your front and rear lights. In addition, check the condition of your headlight lenses, as dirt and wear can make the lights less effective.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that on an unlit country road, you could lose precious seconds of reaction time if you need to dodge an obstacle such as a deer. Buying new lenses for your headlights or having your existing ones cleaned by a professional could prevent a serious accident.<\/p>\n 2. Your behaviour<\/strong><\/p>\n At night, good driving habits are a must. Among other things, you should:<\/p>\n – Stay away from two-lane highways as much as possible to avoid the glare from oncoming traffic.<\/p>\n – Flash your lights if an oncoming vehicle\u2019s high beams are blinding you. This will signal to the other driver to switch to their low beams. (Note that certain new vehicles or those with LED headlights can be blinding even without their high beams on).<\/p>\n – Lower the brightness of your dashboard lights and screen to reduce eye fatigue.<\/p>\n – Increase the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. (If you need to overtake someone, only do so when you\u2019re sure the manoeuvrer is safe).<\/p>\n – Don\u2019t stare at the headlights of oncoming cars. (Keep your eyes angled toward the right side of the road).<\/p>\n – Be careful in areas where you might encounter animals. Keep an eye on the road ahead and slow down \u2014 distances can be much harder to judge at night.<\/p>\n