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How can I drive more safely after dark?

On Behalf of | Nov 25, 2020 | Personal Injury

Most accidents happen at night or in the overnight hours. The limited sight that comes with the darkness makes this time so dangerous.

Not only does the darkness prevent you from seeing obstacles in the road or other issues, reducing your reaction time, but also your eyes do not have a design made for seeing in the dark, so you are at a biological disadvantage, according to Popular Mechanics. However, you can fight biology and do a few things that can help make your night vision better.

Headlights

Your headlights are really your only defense in the dark, but they may not be doing an effective job. You need to ensure the adjustment is correct so they aim properly at the road ahead of you. Use your owner’s manual to do this.

Also, make sure that your headlight covers are clean and free of debris. If they are yellow or cloudy, try using a special cleaner to polish them.

Dash lights

The interior lights on your car’s dashboard may be too bright, which can work against you when trying to see in the dark. Use the dimmer switch to lower them so that they do not cause reflections. Also, try to keep all non-essential lights off inside the vehicle when driving.

Glasses

You don’t need to wear yellow-tinted lenses for night driving. These are a gimmick that does not work. In fact, they can make it harder for you to see at night because they reduce the light you have, which makes your vision less sharp. If you wear prescription glasses, you may have issues with reflections. You should get an anti-glare coating on your lenses to help with this.

Windshield

You must make sure your windshield is clean and free of streaks both inside and out. Clean often, especially inside to remove anything that could cause a glare.