If you hate driving at night, you aren’t alone. Accidents are three times more likely to occur at night than during the day, even though there are fewer drivers on the roads at night. Here are some of the top night driving tips.
The glare coming off the headlights at night of other cars and street signs can create blind spots, while limited visibility can make it challenging to gauge distance and stop in time. Older drivers may find driving at night to be particularly difficult because they need more light to see clearly.
So, what can you do if you hate driving at night? To start with, you can try to avoid it. However, that’s often impossible, especially during the dark winter months. We have some suggestions to make highway driving at night safer and help you feel more at ease.
5 Ways to Make Night Time Driving Safer
Try these tips to improve driving in the dark so you can feel safer driving after the sun goes down.
1. Check your headlights
Our vehicles deal with a lot of weird weather patterns here in Oklahoma, from high heat and thunderstorms to snow, ice, and slush. These can all cause headlights to become dull and foggy over time. Take your vehicle to a repair shop and ask about restoring your headlights. This simple process will increase the amount of light you see in front of you when you turn your headlights on.
2. Get the right lenses for your glasses
Adding an anti-glare coating to your next pair of glasses can help reduce glare in all situations, including night driving. This is a better option than getting tinted so-called “night driving glasses,” which are not proven effective. Feel free to ask Dr. Thirion about the best types of lenses for you at your next appointment.
3. Don’t skip your annual exam
An annual eye exam is critical for every driver. Talk to your doctor about any specific challenges you face with nighttime driving so you can get the right tests. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer, you may want to schedule your annual exam in the early fall to identify any changes that may have taken place due to sun exposure. After all diseases like Macular Degeneration can cause reduction in night vision.
4. Practice defensive driving
Use defensive driving techniques at night, including staying two car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you, slowing down at intersections, and minimize distractions. Turn off your radio and put your phone on silent while you’re driving. Calls and texts can wait until you are safely at your destination.
5. Dim your dashboard
The bright lights coming from your dashboard can be distracting when they contrast with the dark road in front of you. Dim the interior lights at night and use your rearview mirror’s night setting. If you have never used these features before, test them out during the day. That way, you will feel comfortable using them at night.
Car driving at night is not always avoidable. Try these techniques to improve your visibility and keep you safe when you have to drive after dark. If you are experiencing new vision challenges that impact your ability to drive, don’t wait for your next annual exam. Call our office at (918)371-3339 to schedule an appointment to talk about more night driving tips. As an Amazon Associate I can earn from qualifying purchases if you click on the above link.
