10 Defensive Ways to Prevent a Car Accident at Night

Did you know 50 percent of fatal accidents occur at night? If you want to learn how to prevent a car accident night, we can help.

In this guide, we’ll go over defensive ways to prevent an accident.

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

     1. Drive Defensively

At night, you’ll want to drive with extra caution. Watch out for drunk drivers. Drinking and driving increases after dark. It’s one of the leading causes of fatal accidents.

Make sure your defensive driving instincts are on high alert. If you think someone is impaired, consider calling your local law enforcement.

If you do end up getting in an accident, consider hiring a personal injury attorney. Look for a reputable firm like Chudleigh Law.

     2. Get Enough Rest

Fatigue is an issue at night. It’s an even bigger issue for people who work night shifts.

Shift work can disrupt typical sleep patterns. This disruption can wreak havoc on people for years to come. Most shift workers get a chronic illness resulting from their sleep deprivation.

If you’re a shift worker, you’ll want to be aware of these potential problems.

If you’re commuting home from work or driving a long distance, you can try out some tips to avoid getting sleepy.

Get a good night’s sleep before driving. See if you can take turns with someone during a long drive. Make sure you take a break or pull over for a nap.

Don’t keep driving if you feel exhausted. Take a short nap before resuming driving.

     3. Drive Cautiously in Poor Weather Conditions

Weather conditions can make it challenging to drive at night. Rain can make the surface slick and dangerous for trucks, motorcycles, and cars. Sometimes, vehicles can skid while braking or spin out of control.

At night, if it’s raining, make sure you drive with extra caution. Wait until the rain stops if it’s pouring.

The winter months are dangerous. Snow can mix with water and make the road icy. A lot of people don’t know the proper protocols for driving in winter conditions.

If it’s snowing hard or freezing rain is falling, wait to drive. If this isn’t an option, make sure you give plenty of space between you and the driver you’re following.

Go easy on your brakes, and don’t slam on the brakes if you do end up hitting the ice at night.

     4. Angle the Headlights

If the beams tilt down too far, you could lose some of the light you need when you drive. If the headlights tilt up too high, you could blind oncoming drivers.

Some state’s inspection tests will check the headlight angle. Take the initiative to make sure they are pointed right. You could go to your car dealership or a mechanic for help.

     5. Use High Beams at the Right Time

A lot of people don’t use their high beams well. High beams are useful on an open road or in rural areas.

Dim your high beams if you’re 500 feet from an oncoming vehicle. Don’t use high beams if you follow another car.

If you need to get a new vehicle, look for a car with an adaptive lighting system. The adapting lighting system adjusts your high beams for you.

     6. Fix Your Interior Lighting

At night, drivers can’t see as well as they can during the day. If you’re a driver who has a visual impairment, you might face even more difficulties.

The end of Daylight Savings Time can make it challenging to see at night. The night starts sooner and will be longer. Drivers must be extra vigilant during this time.

Are your dashboards too bright? When you glance away from the dashboard to the road, you could feel a bit disoriented.

Make sure you dim the interior lights. You should still be able to see essential controls, but they shouldn’t be distracting.

You can also use visors at night to shield yourself from the glare of street lighting. A lot of newer vehicles have mirrors that dim the reflections.

     7. Don’t Stare at Headlights

When you drive, keep your gaze on the road. Don’t stare at oncoming headlights.

When you approach an oncoming car, you can avoid getting blinded by the headlights. Look down to the right, and use the right edge of the road as a guide.

Lift your gaze when you’ve passed the vehicle.

     8. Look for Wildlife

Collisions with deer or other wildlife can occur at night or around dusk.

Your high beams can help you spot an animal’s glowing eyes at night. When you see them, to avoid an accident, slow down instead of swerving.

     9. Get Your Eyes Tested

Make sure you get your vision checked each year. Glare can become more problematic for people as they get older. You might need to get a different prescription for nighttime driving.

     10. Use and Test Your Lights

Test your lights often. Make sure you check the high beams, low beams, turn signals, daytime running lights, or brake lights.

Use your headlights to stay visible. Turn them on during poor weather conditions like hail, snow, or rain.

Now You Know How to Avoid a Car Accident at Night

We hope this guide on defensive driving at night was helpful. Now that you know how to avoid a car accident at night, inspect your vehicle. Make sure everything is in good shape.

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