How to Stay Safe When Driving a Car at Night

When you look at accident statistics across the country, you’ll see that a surprising number of accidents happen at nighttime. This is due to a variety of factors—people are generally more tired at night and prone to fatigue, roads are less visible, and cars may be less visible if people fail to use their headlights. If you drive at night, there are several easy things you can do to make yourself safer and limit your chances of being in an accident.

If you were injured in a car crash, getting the right attorney on your side can help you pursue compensation. Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 866-565-4949 to set up your consultation now.

Enhancing Visibility

One of your top priorities as a nighttime driver is making yourself as visible as possible. Before each nighttime drive, make sure that all of your car’s lights are working properly. Turning the vehicle on and facing a garage can help you verify that both headlights are working. You can also check the rear of the car to ensure that your taillights and turn signals are working appropriately.

Take a few minutes to scrub away any debris that may make your lights harder to see. If you are using old bulbs, consider upgrading to newer and more energy-efficient bulbs that are also designed to be more visible at night.

Another part of maximizing visibility is ensuring that you can see everyone around you. While you should check your mirrors every time you drive, it’s especially important at nighttime. Verify that your rearview mirror and side mirrors are in the correct position to show you vehicles in other lanes and behind you.

Staying Alert and Avoiding Fatigue

Driver fatigue is an incredibly common factor in many accidents, and it’s especially dangerous at night. While you cannot control how rested other drivers are, you can make sure that you are as energetic as possible during night drives. Get plenty of rest before a long drive at night and consider sneaking in a nap beforehand for an extra burst of energy. If you start a drive tired, it is only downhill from there. Schedule lots of breaks so you can get some fresh air—this is often enough to help you shake off fatigue and continue your drive reinvigorated.

Hold off on alcohol and certain medications before driving. You’re already at risk of drowsy driving, and you don’t want to make it worse. Finally, try to keep yourself mentally stimulated throughout your drive. You can try an audiobook, a multi-part podcast with a riveting story, upbeat music, or conversations with passengers.

Nighttime Distractions

Driving at night makes it easy to fall prey to distractions. You must be vigilant in your quest to stay focused on the road. While some distractions are useful—for example, those listed above that can help you stay awake—others dramatically increase your accident risk. Avoid using your phone while driving. Not only is it dangerous by itself, but the bright light can hurt your eyes and leave you disoriented when you look back at the road.

Basic Safety Precautions

Nighttime safety tips are important, but don’t forget to follow basic driving safety tips that are recommended whenever you hit the road. Stay buckled at all times and make your passengers keep their seatbelts on, too. This reduces the risk of severe injuries in the event of an accident.

Be aware of your surroundings, including posted speed limits and warnings. No matter how much of a rush you’re in, stick to the speed limit and use safe driving habits at all times. On a similar note, don’t get so wrapped up in your drive that you forget to be thoughtful of other drivers. Avoid tailgating and swerving around other vehicles in your lane.

Start Your Personal Injury Claim with Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. That’s where we step in to help. Our team is ready to learn more about your collision and give you some insight into your legal options. Just call us at 866-565-4949 or send us a message online to schedule a consultation now.