Night driving is not only a pain, but it can also be very dangerous. Whether you’re a confident night-time driver or would rather stick to the daylight hours, sometimes the trek is inevitable. To stay safe while driving in the dark, here are a few tips to consider.

 

Know What Kind of Glasses to Wear

Many people believe that yellow or amber-tinted glasses will help them while driving at night, but the truth is that they are ineffective in complete darkness. The yellow tint helps by improving contrast and depth perception, as well as brightening surroundings, but requires at least some light to function. Therefore, they are not helpful when you’re driving after dusk.

 

Don’t Look at Oncoming Headlights

This may seem like a given, but it is more common than you may think. Night-time driving is already difficult enough, but if you aren’t careful to keep your eyes focused on the road, you can get yourself into trouble. Since our eyes are naturally attracted to light, we will be drawn to look at oncoming LED headlight high beams if we’re not paying attention. Staring at headlights will temporarily affect your eyesight and depth perception, making you more prone to get into an accident.

 

Make Sure You’re Well-Rested

According to the National Safety Council, you are three times more likely to be in a car crash if you are fatigued, and losing just 2 hours of sleep (from a normal 8-hour sleep schedule) is like drinking 3 beers before you get on the road-definitely not good! The best way to keep yourself safe is to get enough sleep the night before, take regular breaks, and find a way to keep yourself energized (this is where the Timmies run has no shame-go ahead, get a doughnut too).

 

Dim Your Dash Lights

There’s a reason parents get upset when kids are trying to turn the lights on in the backseat-it is distracting! Having your dash lights on high can also be a problem as they cause reflections in the windshield that will further reduce your vision. Dimming your dash lights and keeping interior lights off will also help your eyes adjust to the dark better, so keep those lights low.

 

Clean Your Headlights

According to a 2017 survey by ROSPA, about 40% of all accidents occur at night, with reduced visibility being a major culprit. When you’re driving at night, you can only see as far as your headlights allow you to. Low-beam headlights will give you anywhere between 160 to 250 feet of visibility, but it takes more than 300 feet to stop a vehicle going approximately 100km/h. If your headlights are covered in road grime, this visibility will be reduced further, putting you at an even greater risk.

 

There are many hazards to (late-night driving), but with the right knowledge and tools you can stay safe on the roads long after dusk. One of the ways you can do this is by installing LED headlights on your vehicle, which are brighter and more efficient. At Automotive Universe, we carry LED headlights for all makes and models, and our skilled technicians will be glad to help you choose the right fit.