Once you’ve earned your license and gained experience on the road, driving may seem like an easy task. However, this differs when night driving comes into play. Here, lighting conditions vary, causing light flares from headlights to become problematic as it reduces one’s visual function.
Additionally, driving at night poses unique challenges that differ from daytime driving. You could experience potential sleepiness, encounter nocturnal wildlife, or your car may even fail you. Nevertheless, a great driver should be prepared for any circumstance. So, if you’re planning to take a nighttime adventure, continue below and learn how to keep yourself safe when night driving:
Reduce Your Speed
Since it’s difficult to see at night, detecting objects approaching you would also be problematic. Likewise, your headlights won’t illuminate everything that’s on the road – not like the sunlight will. With this in mind, you must reduce your speed when driving. By doing so, you compromise with your limited vision.
If you’re in Sydney or somewhere nearby and you’re new to driving, don’t fret. The best Sydney driving school emphasizes safety through defensive driving. Reducing your speed and being alert at all times, regardless whether it’s day or night, is one of the best ways to avoid accidents while driving.
Be Wary of Nocturnal Animals
When the sun sets, you can expect nocturnal animals to come out and play – with some of them settling near roads and highways. With this, you should always be wary when nighttime driving as there could be a possibility where you’d encounter such animals. It would help if you always were conscious and vigilant since your visibility is compromised.
Additionally, the Australian Associated Motor Insurers (AAMI) Head of Motor Claims, Anna Catwright, warns drivers of nocturnal wildlife while on the road. Although there are a few cars due to the pandemic, animal collisions can be unpredictable and incalculable.
Don’t Let Your Car Fail You
Before you head out on your night drive, make sure to check your car. Since the road can be unpredictable, you could have tire problems in the middle of the road with no towing company in sight. So, it’s best to check the air pressure, check for punctures, and even make sure that your tires are in excellent condition before taking to the road.
Not only do you have to check your tires, but your lights, fuel, battery, and breaks as well. When you check on car parts, you make sure to take the extra safety measure before heading out. You wouldn’t want to get stranded and lost in the middle of the road because of a dead battery or a low fuel level.
Faulty brakes are also a complete no when it comes to driving. When you check your brakes, you lower your chances of meeting an accident – so, it’s best to check your brake system. Here, you could push your brakes to the floor, ensuring no resistance.
Overall, making sure that your car is in its top shape is ideal before driving night or day. Since it’s impossible to check every inch of your vehicle when you’re already moving to your destination, it’s best to do it beforehand.
Know Your Headlights
Since there is no sun to help you, your headlights will guide you in your drive. Although street lights also come in handy, there is no certainty that there will be street lights on every highway. Thus, you must know your headlights, learn where all of your controls are, and understand the differences between each light.
It would help if you differentiated your driving and parking lights. It would help if you also were mindful and courteous of your bright lights so as not to disorient other drivers. In an event where the bright headlight of other drivers stuns you, make sure to slow down and reorient yourself. By doing so, you’re able to readjust and correct your course.
Impairment Entails Staying Off the Road
Although nocturnal animals or faulty cars can cause accidents, research by the Australian Automobile Association revealed that 20% to 30% of car crashes in Australia result from driver fatigue. Since fatigue can reduce one’s attentiveness, it can affect a driver’s judgment and slower reaction time, resulting in road accidents.
With this in mind, you should never drive when you’re tired or if you’re lacking sleep. Since your visibility is limited due to the lack of natural light and street lights, lacking sleep while you’re driving can be reckless.
Likewise, impairment could also mean intoxication. It would help if you never drank alcohol while driving since it acts as a depressant, impairing your judgment and slowing your reaction time.
In a situation where you’re tired from your driving, you could look for stations where you can pull over and take power naps. You could even ask your companions to share the task of driving, or you could even chat with them on the way to keep yourself entertained.
Takeaway
When you’re on the road, it’s always essential to keep yourself and others safe by taking extra measures – and even more so when you’re driving at night. With this, it’s best to remember these five tips to aid you in your journey. So, come prepared, learn the highway rules, and make the best out of your trip!
