How to stay safe driving at night

We are living in dangerous times. Sure we may not be living in the wild west but, with gun and knife crime rife, around the globe, it definitely is not a tranquil haven out there.

It has never been more important, therefore, to ensure your safety. Whether you are a male or a female, there are dangers on the street. If you consider your safety and adopt safe practices you should be able to avoid disaster striking, though.

If you are driving a vehicle at night, you could be in a potentially dangerous situation. Here is some advice about maintaining your safety, when you are driving at night. When you think about it there are so many more hazards at night. Poor visibility, icy roads, drunk drivers and more are all more prevalent at night, and more dangerous.

​Add to this the fact that you, or other drivers on the road, may be tired after a hard day's work and it is easy to see how dangerous night driving can be.

Is there any wonder that far more accidents occur after dark?

It is well recorded that more accidents occur on the road at night. Here are some tips, hints and general advice which may prevent you being just one more accident statistic:

• Firstly let's establish that you have good eyesight. Not sure? Well make sure that you have regular eye-tests and wear the appropriate spectacles if necessary. Our vision can be less accurate at night due, for example, to poor street lighting and, or, being tired. Give yourself and everyone else a chance and do not drive if your vision is not what it should be.

• Check that your vehicle is 100% in tip top shape. You need to know that your brakes are working, as they should be, and that you can rely on your vehicle's lights. Check your tyres are full of air and roadworthy.

• Make sure that you are seen. Ideally drive a vehicle which is light in colour. Black cars may look the biz but in the dark they will be hard to see. Ensure that you use your vehicle lights properly. This means switching them on as soon as visibility demands it, and not having them glaring at other drivers, dazzling them. Think about the lighting inside your car also.
• Keep alert, and your eyes peeled for pedestrians crossing the roads, animals and the like.

• Do not drink and drive. For that matter do not indulge in any other substances that may impair your driving. A vehicle is a lethal weapon, in the wrong hands. If someone who is intoxicated will be driving you, do not let them. Try to stop them driving at all but, if you cannot, at the very least take a cab instead.

• Lock all of the car doors as soon as you are in your vehicle. You will be much safer.

• Concentrate on your driving. Do not smoke, eat, chat, drink, put on make up or any other stupid thing whilst you are driving. Concentrate fully on the job in hand.

• If possible check out the weather forecast. This is especially useful if you are undertaking a long journey. Foggy and icy weather are much more dangerous if you are driving at night. Perhaps it would be wise to re-schedule your journey.

• Have a fully charged mobile or cell phone with you. If the worst happens and you break down, at least you should be able to raise help, without leaving your vehicle.

• Do not open your car door to strangers. In fact when you are driving at night you will need to be extra cautious about anyone and everyone. When you are getting in to and out of your vehicle make sure that you have glanced around first. If possible park where there is good street lighting and people around. Off the beaten track parking may put you in danger.

• As part of your plan to see, and be seen, ensure that your vehicle is clean. Take particular care of the mirrors, windshield and any windows.

• Drive with more care than usual. You should always be a safe driver but at night do not drive too close to the vehicle in front. Never drive too fast. Take your time and concentrate on arriving at your destination in one piece.

• If you are extremely tired take a rest as soon as you can. You should not be driving if you are exhausted. If needs be, take a break for an hour or two of sleep.

Mostly, safe driving at night, is all about using your common sense. Of course, you should have your driving licence, road tax and any insurance necessary for you to be a driver. The rest is thinking about your personal circumstances and adding anything appropriate.

Remember that even if you are sensible and following safety precautions other drivers, or pedestrians, may not be.


http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/news-and-resources-driving-at-night.aspx