Did you know the rate of traffic deaths at night is three times greater than driving during the day? It is more difficult to see hazards ahead on the road, and often the lack of scenery can be hypnotizing, sending drivers into a state of dangerous drowsiness. It is important to remember the challenges faced when driving after dark.
Know How to Stay Safe
Review these safety tips to prevent night driving accidents:
- Turn on your headlights one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise so other drivers can see you easily.
- Make sure all of your exterior lights are working properly.
- Refrain from looking into your rear-view mirror at oncoming headlights. Use the “day-night” feature to reduce the light.
- Do not look directly at oncoming headlights. Look toward the right side of the road, following the white line with your eyes.
- Dim your dashboard lights if excess street lighting is causing a glare.
- Keep your windows clean, as dirty windows can reduce visibility by up to 90 per cent.
- Increase your following distance by four or five seconds to give yourself more response time.
- Slow your speed, especially in dangerous weather conditions.
- Adjust your outside mirrors so that the view is just outside of the bodywork of the vehicle.
- Make sure you properly aim your headlights.
- Avoid smoking, as the nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.
- Keep your headlights on low beams when following other vehicles.
- If you have vehicle trouble, pull off the road as far to the right as possible and set up reflector triangles near your vehicle and up to 91 metres behind it. Turn on your flashers and your dome light, and call for assistance.
- Make stops to use the washroom, stretch your legs and have a snack to reduce fatigue.
- If you get too tired while driving at night, stop and take a rest.