The 4 Basic Tips for Safer Night Time Driving

Driving at night increases the risk of getting involved in a car accident for obvious reasons. For one, your view of the road is limited. This gives less time to react to any obstacle on the road. Apart from that, you become less visible to pedestrians and other drivers, especially intoxicated ones.

Since the risk of a collision is increased at night, it’s important to prepare yourself and your vehicle for any hazards that lie ahead. Here are a few essential tips for keeping yourself safe as you drive on dark roads.

1. Avoid distracted driving

The most basic thing you can do while driving at night is to focus on the road. The National Safety Council said that 50% of traffic-related deaths happen at night, so it’s important for drivers to stay alert at the wheel. That way, they are always prepared to take evasive action whenever potential dangers come their way. Every second counts, so concentrate on driving and avoid taking on your cell phone, playing loud music, or anything that will divide your attention.

2. Be in the best state of mind

Apart from focusing on the road, you should also make sure that you are physically and mentally prepared to drive. You wouldn't want to take your car out in the middle of the night if you haven’t had enough sleep the whole day.

People in Florida experience car collisions caused by drowsy drivers, so they are always looking for a Tampa or Lakeland car accident lawyer to help them get compensated. It’s also not a good idea to drive while you’re nauseous, hungry, or drunk. If you think you are not in the best condition to drive, consider getting someone else to operate the vehicle or try pulling over and spending the night at a motel.

3. Invest in quality headlights

When it comes to driving at night, you will need all the light you can get to illuminate what’s ahead of you. If you think one of your headlights is fading, you might as well replace both with high-quality LED bulbs, just like the ones in the Hyundai Genesis GV80. When shopping for new headlights, look for ones that offer a longer range. You will also need to check whether they can provide better illumination under difficult environments such as rain, snow, and fog. Remember to install these lights at the right angle so they can give you a better view of the road.

4. Drive at a slower speed

Unless you are in an emergency where you need to bring someone to the hospital immediately, you will need to stay within a safer speed range. The slower you go, the faster your vehicle will come to a full stop. In most cases, you can determine the best speed to drive in by looking at the range of your headlights. If your headlights cover a short distance, then opt to stay between 40 and 45 mph.

Driving at night can be dangerous, but with the right preparation, you will be able to travel safely no matter where you are going.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes