There are a few reasons why driving at night can be more dangerous. The first, and most obvious, is that it's dark outside and therefore trickier to see. Somebody who crosses the road in dark clothing may be visible in the middle of the day, but the same pedestrian might be almost impossible to see at night. The same goes for street signs and turns in the road.
If you're someone who wears glasses while driving, you may find it even more challenging to see after the sun sets. Glare from headlights and streetlights can reflect off your lenses, or you may have poor night vision. Also, as we age, it can become more difficult to see in the dark.
Aside from the difficulty of seeing the road and any obstacles ahead, night time driving also presents some unique challenges. Lots of road construction and maintenance is carried out at night, meaning roads that were clear during the day may now be blocked off or full of construction vehicles. You're also much more likely to encounter a drunk driver at night. This is especially true on weekends or holidays.
Finally, if you're driving during the night time, there's also a good chance you'll get tired. Driving whilst sleepy is a very serious hazard, which can endanger yourselves and others on the road.
The best way to prevent night time accidents on the road is to drive more carefully. One of the biggest mistakes drivers can make at night is to drive the same way as they do during the day. This is because drivers can be overconfident, or don't want to tke the time to be extra cautious at night. Don't make the mistake of underestimating the dangers!
There's a few ways to ensure you're being safe:
Slow DownMany of us are guilty of slightly exceeding the speed limit during the day. Usually, this doesn't affect your drive, but at night, you can't see any potential hazards until they're much closer. By slowing down and staying well within the speed limit, you'll give yourself more time to react.
Leave Space
Take care to leave extra space between your vehicle and others on the road. If you can't see well, or you're not as alert as you should be, a sudden stop by the car in front of you can lead to an accident. Even if you're confident in your own driving abilities, it's worth assuming that other drivers may not be quite as alert at night.
Take Breaks
If you're tired, try not to drive. If you have to make the journey, try and take regular breaks to have a nap, take a short walk to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, and have a coffee. It's much better to arrive at your destination a little later than to get into an accident.
Adjusting the way you drive at night is important, but your headlights are just as crucial. Bright headlights will illuminate the road ahead, allowing you to see almost as well as you would normally do during daytime driving.
Always make sure your bulbs are correctly aligned and in full working order before you set off on your journey. If a bulb fails whilst driving, pull over and replace it. Not only is driving in the dark without both headlights illegal almost everywhere, it's also extremely unsafe. The same goes for tail lights, which are especially important at night.
Brighter headlights can help you to stay safe when it's dark. If you do a lot of night time driving, it's definitely worth upgrading to a Maximum Performance bulb, as they will give you the best light output.
Shop Maximum Performance halogens here.If your car uses Xenon HID, you're in luck - you'll already be getting a very bright light on the road. However, if you want to get the most out of your HIDs, try a Maximum Performance Xenon for optimal visibility at night.
Shop Maximum Performance HIDs here.