6 minute read
Driving at night is an entirely different experience to driving during the daylight hours. There are all sorts of different hazards out on the road that you need to be fully prepared for. Even more experienced drivers can find it a challenging experience to deal with. If you are struggling with your nighttime driving, here are a few top tips that can help you and fellow road users to remain as safe as possible.
Give yourself more time for the journey
The last thing that you want is to add the sense that you are rushing into an already challenging journey. Therefore, it is worth giving yourself plenty of time to get from A to B. Even if you arrive at your destination a few minutes early, it is still better that you are fully calm and ready for the trip you have ahead. Check out a route planner ahead of time to anticipate any traffic jams or adjustments you may need to make to the trip. This way, you can be as prepared as possible before you embark on the road, which can help to reduce a major and common source of stress.
Make sure your lights are working properly
It puts you and other road users in a dangerous situation if your lights are not working properly. Not only this, but it is also a legal requirement and you don’t want to risk finding yourself in trouble with the police. Check all lights ahead of the trip to make sure they aren’t dimming or don’t need changing entirely. It could also be worth looking into LED headlight conversion kits which allow you to install bright lights that last for a lot longer than traditional halogen bulbs. If you set off on your journey and the sun is just setting, dipped headlights are the typical best option. You can then switch to full beam if you are driving along unlit roads, but you need to remember to dip them when you are passing other vehicles to avoid dazzling them.
Choose a well-lit route if possible
While it may not always be possible to avoid darker roads, if you can stick to the highways and well-lit main roads, this helps to make your journey an awful lot safer and easier to manage. Again, looking at your route planner certainly helps out here as it will ensure that you can pick the best available journey and you don’t head out on the road that you feel uncomfortable with. Make sure to fix the journey so it doesn’t redirect you onto darker roads.
Practice nighttime driving in an area you feel comfortable
If you have a long nighttime drive ahead of you and you could be travelling in an area which you don’t know very well, it’s worth getting in a bit of practice ahead of time. Choose a route that you feel comfortable with and get used to the feeling of driving at night. For some people, this is enough to help build up their confidence levels and helps them to feel like they are much more prepared for what they have ahead.
Bring someone else along with you
If you have someone that you feel comfortable with or an experienced nighttime driver, it can certainly help to have them come along with you in the passenger seat. For one thing, it gives you an extra pair of eyes on the road. Even if you don’t want them to be a backseat driver, it can help to have someone to talk to along the way – particularly if they help you to feel calm and comfortable.
Do the basic checks on the car and pack essentials
It’s worth doing this before every nighttime drive, but it is especially true if you are heading out on a longer trip – make sure that you do all the basic checks on the car. This means checking the oil to ensure it is properly topped up. You should also look at the tyre pressure to make sure all of them are adequately pumped up. You don’t want to add an unnecessary element of risk to your journey when it can be otherwise avoided. There are also some emergency essentials that are worth bringing along with you. Depending on the country you are driving in, there are likely to be some essentials, but it is certainly worth having a torch, a warm blanket, a mobile phone charger, and some food and water – particularly if you are travelling in a more remote area.
Keep a good distance between cars
When it gets dark, there tend to be fewer people out on the streets and cars on the road, which in theory should help to reduce the number of hazards that you may encounter. For the cars that you do see, you should keep a safe distance from the one in front to give yourself time to react in case you need to brake suddenly.
Travel at a safe speed
Don’t feel the need to travel at the speed limit for the entire journey. Instead, it is worth travelling at a speed that you feel comfortable at. There is no point in being pressured by cars behind you as this can end up making you feel more stressed and this can increase the levels of danger on the trip. While this doesn’t mean that you should crawl along all the roads, you may want to bring your speed down slightly compared to the daytime to help make you feel more comfortable.
For some people, nighttime driving takes a bit of getting used to. For others, it is something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Whichever side of the fence you fall on, these tips should help you to reach your destination safely. Ultimately it comes down to reducing the risks before you head out on the road. Give yourself plenty of time, check your car, and make sure you have a well-planned route. When you travel, stay calm and collected.
