Many drivers hate driving at night—and for legitimate reasons. According to the National Safety Council, 50% of all traffic fatalities happen at night. From dirty windshields to weary drivers, driving at night poses many risks and obstacles to watch out for once the sun goes down.
At CleanTools, we care about your safety—that’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips you can follow to minimize nighttime accidents every time you get behind the wheel.
5 Tips for Safe After-Dark Driving
Safe driving starts before you hop in the driver’s seat. Here are five tips to keep you safe and improve your nighttime driving skills.
1. Don’t Drive Distracted
Distracted driving is never safe—but it’s extra dangerous at night. Put your phone down and drive on high alert. Texting your friends can wait. If you’re planning on going out for a night of dancing and drinking, plan to contact a designated driver or set up a ride with your rideshare company of choice.
2. Clean Your Windshield
Are your windshields covered in bugs and debris? Don’t skimp on cleaning your windshield. Dirty windows can scatter light and increase the chances of extreme glare at night. Do yourself a favor and scrub that bug juice off. For the ultimate shine.
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3. Use Your High Beams
Driving down a pitch-black road with no street lights can be nerve-wracking. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to blast your high beams. Remember, your vehicle has high beams for a reason. Use them to your advantage. Just make sure you’re turning your high beams off within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle so you don’t blind the other driver.
4. Slow Your Roll
You heard us, Speed Racer. It’s common for deer to jump out into the road at night. Be an attentive and considerate driver by slowing your speed. If wildlife jumps in front of you, slow down instead of swerving. Slowing down also helps increase your reaction time and allows you to see better.
5. Stay Awake (Or Pull Over)
Do you work late nights? Perhaps you’re on an overnight trip and you’ve been driving into the early morning hours. Whatever your reason is, make sure you have had plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel. Drowsy driving is unsafe driving. If you feel like you’re dosing off, sip on some caffeine or pull over to rest. You can even test your pipes (no, not your vehicle’s) and stay awake by singing your favorite songs.
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