Night Driving Tips Worth Knowing
The
National Safety Council says that night-time traffic mortality rates
are three times as high as those for daytime. Still, many remain in the
dark about the specific hazards tied to night driving. Some just plainly
don't have a clear idea how best to deal with such threats.
Driving Safe at Night
Why
is it so dangerous to drive at night? The darkness is one obvious
reason. Around 90 percent of drivers' reactions are hinged on vision,
which is severely impaired at night.
Once
the sun sets, color recognition, peripheral vision and depth perception
become compromised. It is harder for older drivers to see anything at
night. Fifty-year-olds need two times more light than 30-year-olds.
Fatigue
is yet another factor contributing to the dangers of night-time road
cruising. Drowsiness dulls concentration and slows a person's response
times. All these make for a difficult drive. There's also alcohol
that is responsible for nearly half of all fatal vehicular crashes. This
explains why it's riskier to drive on weekend nights. A great number
of automobile mishap-related deaths happen on weekend nights.
The
good news is there are effective ways to reduce after-dark hazards. It starts with proper preparation of the car and heeding certain guidelines when driving.
Be prepared, check your fluids and make sure all your lights are working correctly. It is important to also keep a flag or
emergency light in your car to worn drivers of a distressed car. Extra gas in a gas canister is a must.
When driving follow the steps mentioned below from the
NSC.
1. Headlights aimed properly – Faced the wrong way,
headlights blind other motorists (drivers) and limit ability to view the
roads.
2. No smoking while driving – The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarettes impair vision at night.
3. Lower speeds while increasing the following distance – This helps
plenty in judging how far and fast other vehicles are going at night.
4. Low-beam the headlights – When there's another car in front, avoid
blinding the driver by maintaining headlights at low beams.
5. Have
periodic breaks while driving – If exhausted from the drive, stop, pick
up some snacks, rest and maybe exercise a bit to re-energize.
6. Ready the vehicle for evening drives – Keep tail lights, headlights, windows and signal lights clean all around.
7. Drive only when sober – Alcohol seriously hampers driving abilities
and depresses the system. A single drink can trigger fatigue so don't
mix driving with drinking.
8. When in doubt, turn headlights on –
This is more to help other drivers see you coming than improving your
own vision during the twilight hours. Visibility is very important.
9. Never over-drive headlights – You ought to be able to halt within the
illuminated region. Otherwise, you're likely to create an area in front
of the car for blind crashes.
10. Avert gaze from oncoming bright
beams – If approaching vehicles don't lower their beams, avoid the glare
and stay on the correct side of the road by focusing on the road's
right edge.
11. Car trouble? Pull over – If your vehicle acts up,
pull as far off the street as possible. Set up
reflective triangles near
and 300ft behind the car immediately to warn incoming traffic. Activate
dome lights and flashers, move passengers away and avoid the roadway.
Drive
safe at night by practicing the above safety reminders. Dusk until dawn
is the toughest time for driving. The eyes are busy adapting to the
increasing darkness so exercising care when night driving is always
smart.
DontGetHit.com
1 Comments:
Increasing the following distance helps you react to a sudden action of the car in front of you. Thanks for the tips.
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