The movie Nightcrawler showed us a driver who was completely comfortable driving at night. Yes—he was an ambulance chaser, and completely insane, but the issues of glare and light sensitivity did not seem to be a problem for this night owl. For others, driving at night comes with a new set of concerns and problems.
Some drivers have more trouble with night driving than others, and if you fall into this category you need to be more aware on the roads and follow specific tips to improve your driving in the evening hours. There are certain tips that you can follow so that you don’t need a lawyer for a car accident, if a collision were to occur in the darkness.
Tips for Driving at Night
Senior drivers usually find driving at night more difficult, because they become more sensitive to the glare of the lights and have decreased visual distance. For this reason, there are different tips that you can follow to alleviate these problems and become comfortable driving after the sun goes down.
Don’t Focus Your Eyes on One Place
Make sure that you are constantly keeping your eyes moving, instead of focusing on a single focal point. Be aware of flashing lights signifying another car coming around the bend or over the hill.
Be Aware of High Beams
If a car has their high beams on and forgets or chooses not to switch to low beams, look to the right of the road to avoid looking directly into the lights.
Watch Your Speed
While your headlights are on, you want to be able to drive at a speed so that if something runs in front of your car—your lights can catch it before your vehicle does. Don’t tailgate vehicles, and follow at a safe distance behind the cars in front of you to avoid sudden stops.
Here are a few other quick tips to keep you safe on the dark roads:
- Switch to low beams when a car approaches;
- Eliminate the glare by cleaning your windshield;
- Be aware of drunk drivers on the roads;
- Pull over (in a safe place) if your eyes begin to feel tired; and
- Make sure that you are going to the optometrist for regular eye exams if you are having trouble seeing at night.
Car Accidents in the Night
Driving at night is dangerous no matter what age you are, and you have to drive defensively. Along with glare and light sensitivity, drunk drivers are more prevalent at night, and fatigue becomes problematic. If you are involved in a car accident at night and the other driver was at-fault, you deserve compensation for any injuries or damage that was sustained after the accident. Drivers need to be operating a vehicle responsibly at night and take extra precautions around other cars on the road. You should also hire a lawyer for the car accident you endured, as they will help build a case against the accused.
Sources:
http://seniordriving.aaa.com/understanding-mind-body-changes/vision/driving-night-managing-glare
http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/night.php