Driving at night — do’s and don’ts

DRIVING in the absence of natural light is something that many people dread. For most, their fear is wrapped around the fact that there is decreased visibility, making it more difficult for them to see not just the road or obstructions in it, but possible pedestrians, especially those wearing dark clothing, and other road users such as cyclists and bike riders who sometimes fail to outfit their vehicles with appropriate lighting.

But since it is not always possible to avoid driving at night, auto mechanic and car enthusiast Roshane Holness has shared some tips and precautions that you should follow to make night-time trips safer for you and other road users.

WHAT TO DO

•Make sure that your windshield and lights are free of dirt and streaks that could obstruct your vision. A clean windshield and headlights will make your night journey much safer since your lights will be brighter, and a grime-free windshield will reduce the chances of any visual distortions.

•Similarly, make sure that all mirrors are clean. You should also make sure that they are properly adjusted and that you switch your inside rear-view mirror to the night or auto dim setting. This will darken the mirror to prevent glare.

•Make sure that your windshield wipers are in tip-top shape and your water reservoir topped up just in case the rains come or you have to drive through other possible obstructions such as thick fog or smoke which can make it increasingly difficult to see when driving at night.

•If you have a light or lights that are not working, then you should have them replaced immediately or as soon as possible. Not only is it illegal to drive with faulty headlights, but it carries a potential danger for you and other road users.

“One recommendation that I always give is to keep a spare bulb or two in your car because you just don’t know when a bulb will go out,” Holness advised.

•If you use prescription glasses, since it can be much more difficult to see at night-time, then you ALWAYS want to make sure that you are wearing your glasses. If driving at night is difficult you can request that they add anti-reflection coating to your lens. In addition to this, you want to make sure that your eyes are in tip-top shape.

“For example, when you have dry eyes you want to make sure that you keep them moist because if you don’t, what will happen is that they will make the glare, especially with all the beams from other cars, much worse,” Holness advised.

•On an empty or a dark road, make sure that you use your full beam if you need better visibility. However, be sure to dim them if a car is approaching or when driving behind another car.

•Maintain a safe distance, leaving a margin of no less than three seconds between you and the car in front of you.

•Lights, especially bright lights getting in your eyes while driving, can significantly impair your vision and disrupt your concentration. So don’t stare at oncoming light, especially high beams. Instead turn your gaze away from other lights on the road.

•Always dim the lights inside your vehicle. This includes the lights on your dashboard because these lights can act as not only a source of distraction, but they can also diminish your vision.

“When you dim the light on your dashboard you may notice that reflections on the windshield also reduce and this will allow your eyes to better adjust to the darkness ahead, which allows you to see much better,” Holness explained.

WHAT NOT TO DO

•Car lights, especially at night, are a very important car accessory. For one, they allow the motorist to see other road users, as well as make the other road users aware that a car is coming. However, especially on a busy road, make sure that you do not use full beam because this can cause visibility issues for cars that are driving in the opposite direction.

•DO NOT speed; in fact, you should drive much slower than you would in the day. Some people think that driving at night means fewer vehicles on the road, but it actually means less visibility and so you might not see vulnerable road users.

•Do not wait until it’s dark to turn on your headlights. You want to make sure that you are always visible to other road users.

•Do not drive if you are sleepy. If you start to feel sleepy you should find a safe place to stop, such as a police station, not the side of the road. Sometimes stepping out of your car and doing a few simple stretches will help.

•Do not drive if you are drunk or were drinking. When drinking your motor skills are delayed, your vision is impaired, and you are likely to be fatigued. In this state you are a hazard to yourself and other road users.