Tips for Driving In The Dark
17th October 2024
Driving at any time of the day requires attention and caution but driving in the dark can be extra difficult for a lot of people, as it brings about its own set of risks. From poor visibility to the glare from oncoming traffic, it can make anyone feel anxious.
As we have approached the end of summer and entering the autumnal months, the days become shorter. October is the time of the year road users in the UK need to get used to driving in the dark, whether it be due to early mornings or in the evenings when driving home from work.
To help you and other road users stay safe, we’ve put together a guide of our top tips for driving in the dark.
Check your lights and use them properly
Did you know that it is illegal to drive at night without properly functioning front and rear headlights? Familiarise with your car (as all cars are different) and ensure you are checking your headlights, full-beam, fog lights, brake lights, hazard warning lights, and indicators regularly, so they are in full working order. If you find that a bulb needs changing, do it as soon as possible to ensure road safety for both you and other road users.
Vehicle lights keep you and other road users safe by helping you see the road ahead and they let other drivers know you are there.
You should turn on your dipped headlights about an hour before sunset and keep them on an hour after sunrise, so you are clearly visible to other road users.
Full beam should be used on unlit roads such as country roads to help you see the road more clearly, especially through winding roads. Always switch back to low beam until oncoming traffic passes, so you don’t dazzle them.
Ensure to familiarise yourself with your own car settings, as every car is different.
Don’t stare at oncoming traffic
As well as dazzling other road users, make sure no road users dazzle you. When passing oncoming traffic, never look directly at the headlights of other cars as the lighting can be blinding and disorienting, which can temporarily impair your vision, making you more likely to panic and lose your bearings.
Look to the left-hand side of the road and follow the white line marking the edge (if there is one) to keep track of your positioning.
Keep your windows clean
Windscreens are prone to steaming up on the inside, especially during the colder months, and a build-up of condensation on the inside can also impair visibility. Car heaters are great for removing condensation but can also blow dirty air at the glass. It’s important to keep your car clean and always clean your windows. Streaks and smudges on a windscreen can scatter and refract light and make the glare from oncoming traffic even worse.
Get your eyes tested regularly
When driving at night, our eyes must work harder due to them having to constantly adjust to reducing light levels. As we get older, they take longer to react to the changes in light. Regular eye tests are vital to ensure you’re wearing the right prescription glasses for driving at night.
Don’t get behind the wheel when tired or have drunk alcohol
The most important tips! Once the clock goes back, you may think you have had an extra hour’s sleep, but seasonal changes can affect your sleep pattern. Driving tired is a risk to yourself and other road users and can be as harmful as drink driving as you may have slower reactions to hazards. Ensure to take breaks at service stations if on a long journey, and drink caffeinated drinks or even include an overnight stay.
Any amount of alcohol an affect your ability to drive safely and is a risk to other road users as well as yourself. It has been proven to make you drowsy and affects your judgement on speed and distance, slowing down your reactions and coordination. Driving at night requires a high level of concentration and care, so don’t drink alcohol and drive, especially at night!
Stay safe!