Driving at night is often more dangerous than daytime driving. With limited visibility and the possibility of coming up on a deer or other wildlife, it’s no wonder so many drivers experience fear and anxiety while driving at night. But luckily, there are things you can do to make your journey safer.
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Reduce Your Speed
Night-time driving can be more dangerous because it’s harder to see the road ahead and hazards like deer. Many insurance companies, such as from a liability insurance Newark DE agency, report that speeding can increase your chances of being in a fatal collision. When driving at night, reduce your speed to ensure you have enough time to react and to improve your visibility.
Stay Focused on Driving
To stay focused and aware of the road ahead, keep your eyes on the road and not on others in the car, your phone or other distractions. Practice good driving habits and follow road signs and traffic laws. Avoid driving while sleepy, eating or intoxicated. These are good habits regardless of the time of day, but you can spot hazards faster by staying focused despite your reduced visibility at night.
Increase Your Follow Distance
It’s good practice to increase your following distance beyond several car lengths when driving at night so your headlights are more visible to oncoming vehicles and those ahead of you. If the driver ahead of you suddenly breaks, keeping a longer follow distance can reduce your risk of an accident. Deer and other wildlife may also be more active at night and can run in front of your vehicle or the vehicle ahead of you with little warning.
Use Safety Features
Using your headlights will make you more visible to other drivers on the road and will help you see them better. When there is no other traffic, use your high beams to improve your car’s line of sight and reduce the chance of other vehicles causing accidents. Other newer safety features like adaptive cruise control, driver alert systems and lane correction can also make nighttime driving easier and safer.
Besides reducing visibility, lower light levels put drivers at risk of becoming sleepy and less alert. You might not be able to see as well, and your windshield is more likely to pick up glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic. To stay safe, it’s important to practice safe driving habits when driving in the dark.
