The Top Tips for Night Driving

More and more car accidents are happening at night. Do you know why?Needless to say, it is important to take care while driving at nighttime. However, it isn’t just your driving that you need to be concerned with. You must also ensure that your vehicle is properly equipped for darker roads.

Now, this isn’t something that most people take into account. As such, you may not be certain how to go about it. Well, you will find all the guidelines for this below:

Get the Right Headlights

If you have an older car, there is a good chance that it has halogen headlights. The issue with these lights is that they aren't the brightest options around. Furthermore, since they aren't energy efficient, the bulbs can burn out quite quickly.

To overcome this issue, consider switching to LED headlights. These are brighter and can illuminate a larger stretch of the road, allowing you to see more clearly. What's more, these headlights use energy more efficiently, ensuring that they last longer.

Of course, it doesn’t matter if you have the brightest headlights if the cover is dirty. So, make it a point to keep your headlights clean and grime-free. There are special headlight cleaning kits that should help you get any kind of dirt or obstruction off the plastic.

Aim Your Headlights Properly

Since you’re in the car when you turn on your headlights, you won’t know if they’re improperly aligned. They could be aiming too low or one light may be higher than the other. So, make it a point to check that they are aimed properly in advance.

If they are misaligned, you can fix them yourself. Simply consult your owner’s manual to learn how to change the alignment. However, ensure that they aren't aimed too high, either. After all, you don’t want to blind drivers headed in the opposite direction.

Clean Your Windshield

Have you ever noticed that your windshield appears dirtier at night? This is because the streetlights pick up the streaks on the glass, making them more visible. In turn, these can cause a glare that makes it difficult to see through.

To avoid this scenario, make sure to clean your windshield regularly. More specifically, use newspaper to wipe away the streaks as this is more efficient. It isn’t just the windshield that you need to scrutinize. Pay close attention to all the windows in your car as well. To prevent them from getting streaky in the first place, avoid touching the car with your bare hands.

Adjust Your Exterior Mirrors

Keep in mind that exterior mirrors need to be cleaned as well. Otherwise, dirty mirrors will reflect other drivers’ headlights in a more diffused pattern. This will cause a glare that can distract you.

At the same time, appropriately adjust your exterior mirrors. Tilt them down just a little bit. The goal here is to be able to see the cars behind you without worrying that their headlights hit you straight on.

Dim Your Dashboard

Your dashboard is equipped with dimmer lights for the instrument panel in front of you. However, there is a good chance that you have never used them. Well, it is time to change this.

Understand, these lights can be rather distracting, especially since your surroundings are dark. And, as has been established, it is important to keep your focus while driving at night. Thus, use the dimmers to lessen the brightness of the controls while keeping them visible.

Consider Getting Fog Lights

If you tend to drive in remote areas, you may need a little more light on the road. Thus, fog lights may come in handy. The benefit of these lights is that they are aimed low since fog tends to hover just above the road. Furthermore, they cast beams that are a little wider, illuminating the road ahead.

Just make sure that the fog lights are placed at the proper level so that you don’t blind oncoming traffic. Also be aware that they make potholes, small rocks, and bumps appear larger than they are.

These are the top ways to prepare your vehicle for nighttime driving. They are not difficult to accomplish. By adhering to them, you can guarantee that you stay safe while driving at night.

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