Even if you don't like driving at night, sometimes you can't avoid it. Road fatalities are triple during the night, and human eyes are awful for depth perception. This makes driving at night not only annoying, but dangerous. Thankfully, here are some handy tips that could help.
1. Driving at night-vision problems
Why are there high chances of car accidents at night? The biggest reason is the lack of enough visibility. Only the use of headlights can offer you enough vision to ensure you drive safely. Those who are older or who have conditions such as amblyopia may have more of a challenge when driving at night. It's important to ensure you're still driving safely by staying aware of your vision.
Make sure you get your eyes tested regularly. It's recommended you visit an eye specialist for a check-up around every six months. Make sure you can always read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters. If you can't, be sure to make an appointment with your opticians. Finally, if you suffer from myopia or hyperopia, make sure you wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive.
2. Car maintenance
It's vital to have a well-maintained car that functions well on the road, ensuring safer driving. Hence why it's necessary to carry out regular car maintenance and look out for defects.
(1) Make sure all of the car windows are clean-inside and out. Use hot soapy water and ensure there are no streaks when drying, as this can obscure vision.
(2) Check windscreen wiper blades are in good condition and in need of replacement or not. Cracked rubber can pose a huge hazard in the face of heavy rain, sleet or snow. If you notice any defects, replace them immediately. This can be done cheaply and easily by yourself, however if you're unsure always take it to a professional.
(3) Watch your lights. Both your front and rear lights must be clean and bright. Failure to have all four lights working is not only unsafe to you, passengers and pedestrians, but also a crime.
3. Nighttime driving tips
(1) Turn your lights on as soon as you can't clearly see the road. This not only lets you see what's ahead, but other drivers too.
(2) Maintain a safe distance. The typical distance you should be from the vehicle in front of you is two car lengths. This allows time for you to react to sudden brakes, thus preventing collision.
(3) Don't drive if you are tired. This is an integral part of driving safely and this risk is heightened even more by driving at night. Fatigue results in slowed reactions and decreased concentration, leaving you move prone to accidents.
(4) Don't eat too much as this will make you feel sleepy. This is strongly related to the above point, driving when tired is a no-go. The safest way to drive is to eat little and often to curb hunger.
(5) If your car breaks down, stop in a safe and well-lit place, preferably the hard-shoulder if on a motorway. Switch on your hazard lights to warn others. Get everyone out of the car via the passenger doors and stay behind the barriers. If you have breakdown cover, call your provider. If you don't, you'll need to phone the Highway Agency for help. Once your car is running again, be sure to pull out safely into a large enough gap.
4. The use of night vision system
No one will expect an accident. Driving at night makes you responsible for not only your own life, but other passengers, drivers and pedestrians too. That's why you are advised to use a night vision device for your car when driving at night.
A night vision system in your vehicle helps you see for longer distances, know your surroundings when driving and take protective measures in advance. The Lanmodo automotive night vision system has been proven a must-have if you want to increase safety for your nighttime driving.
It features a full color, high definition 1080p and wide-angle image that prove a step-up from in-build night vision systems you might already have in your car. You'll see what's happening clearly with no delays, giving you a vivid window into the real situation.
What's more, it won't take much budget as well as time for every driver to set up in their cars. You can set up the Lanmodo automotive night vision system in two ways either by using the included non-slip mat and placing it on your dashboard, or by using the suction cup to attach it to your windscreen. So for the ultimate in both safety and convenience, look no further than the Lanmodo automotive night vision system.
