{"id":1446,"date":"2015-02-23T16:49:57","date_gmt":"2015-02-23T16:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=1446"},"modified":"2023-03-20T13:16:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T13:16:01","slug":"driving-at-night-dangers-that-await","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/driving-safety\/driving-at-night-dangers-that-await\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Driving at Night: 11 Ideas to Be Safer"},"content":{"rendered":"

While night driving can be a risky activity almost anytime, throw in some hazardous weather conditions and the danger increases even more. Getting behind the wheel at night during the winter months can often result in some white knuckle trips, no matter how short. Whether you\u2019re dealing with high winds, heavy rain, or snow \u2013 if you\u2019re driving at night or even early morning \u2013 you have to adjust your driving accordingly, or factors like decreased visibility, along with treacherous conditions, can multiply your odds of an accident. And, that could only lead to one thing \u2013 higher <\/span>auto insurance<\/span><\/a> rates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Is Night Driving Dangerous? <\/span><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s absolutely nothing wrong with being a little extra cautious in order to keep you safer against the dangers of driving at night. Your life, the lives of your family members, and those of other drivers could depend on it. If you normally don\u2019t believe it until you see it \u2013 here are a few facts for you to digest: according to the <\/span>National Safety Commission<\/span><\/a> (NSC). Despite nighttime driving accounting for only 23 percent of vehicle miles traveled during the day, over 50 percent of all recorded fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 years of age and older occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. And, those aren\u2019t even winter night driving statistics.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, the more awareness you have, the better off you\u2019ll be. But, this isn\u2019t like finding the cheapest auto insurance. It\u2019s important to take the hazards of night driving seriously, so you don\u2019t become the victim of an avoidable accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for Night Driving Safety<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that we have a good idea of why taking extra precautions while night driving is important, let\u2019s get right to it: how can you keep yourself and your family safe? We\u2019ve prepared an easy to follow list of recommendations to help you on those late drives. Below are a few bits of information you may want to consider to lower your risk factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Be Aware of Diminished Vision<\/span><\/h3>\n

In case you haven\u2019t noticed, your eyes work differently at night than in the daylight hours. Although at night your peripheral vision improves minimally, focusing on objects ahead, especially on a rain-slicked road, can be tough. With bad weather, bright headlights and taillights can reflect off the asphalt, which can represent a visibility issue for any driver, regardless of age (although special <\/span>attention to older drivers<\/span><\/a> shouldn\u2019t be ignored).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t Get Ahead of Your Headlights<\/span><\/h3>\n

This basically means you\u2019re driving too fast for your headlights. Generally, you can\u2019t see as far ahead at night. And, in a <\/span>rain storm or shortly after<\/span><\/a>, when the asphalt reflects every light out there, center lines can be extremely hard to see, thereby increasing your odds of fatal accidents. Also, keep in mind that on wet pavement, should a dangerous situation suddenly appear on the road in front of you, it could very well be too late to take evasive action to avoid it. Hitting the brakes hard will, in all likelihood, cause you to slide into the hazard or lose control.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t Drive at Night If Impaired<\/span><\/h3>\n

You should heed this one day or night. The fact is, many motorists driving at night, typically, don\u2019t make wise decisions. A lot of factors can take a toll on your late commute: fatigue after a long day, lack of quality sleep, drowsy driving, or even the use of drugs or drunk driving (don\u2019t get that <\/span>DUI<\/span><\/a>!). Mix that with hazardous road conditions at night and you\u2019ve got quite a deadly cocktail. One that can often lead to serious injuries or cost innocent lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

To make matters worse, NSC statistics show that 66 percent of nighttime vehicular fatalities were caused by drivers and people not wearing their seat belts, good weather or bad. With sobering facts such as these, exercising extra caution when driving at night during winter months, when the weather can be quite nasty, makes a lot of sense. In the end, your safety and the safety of others could depend on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Slower Driver, Safer Driver<\/span><\/h3>\n

Less visibility because of low light plus slower reaction time sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? That\u2019s what can happen when you speed at night. Of course, driving past the recommended speed limit is never the best case, but we can\u2019t ignore the fact that risk is higher once the sun goes down. According to the <\/span>NHTSA<\/span><\/a>, in 2019 drivers in fatal crashes tended to be speeding more frequently at night (20%) than during the day (15%). Make sure you have a safe distance from the car in front of you so you can react well to any unexpected circumstance. <\/span><\/p>\n

5. Use Headlights & High Beams Properly<\/span><\/h3>\n

Just turning your headlights on isn\u2019t a complete solution to properly illuminating the road before you. An incorrect angle can impair the other vehicle\u2019s line of vision or leave you in the dark. Before planning that midnight commute, be sure your bulb is working properly and not dimming, as well as having a clean surface. Some models allow you to change the angle yourself, but it\u2019s a good idea to check with a professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

With your headlight check out of the way, let\u2019s not forget about a very important tool: your high-beam headlights! They are your best allies on long and dark roads, unexpected curves and the dark. Feel free to turn these on when there is no oncoming traffic, just remember to dim them once a car is coming from the opposite direction or when you come up behind someone else.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Manage Your Interior Lights<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your dashboard lights give you important information while driving, but if not configured correctly can be very distracting. While most vehicles have a standard \u201cnight vision\u201d focused setting for their boards, it\u2019s good to take some extra steps. Dim unnecessary lights, like maps, phones and music players, so only the critical information is shown.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Stay Away From Two Lane Highways<\/span><\/h3>\n

Speaking of bright lights and headlight glare, this is definitely more common on two lane highways and in rural areas. Having less space to maneuver while highway night driving is not where you want to be. Sharper curves and potential loss of visibility don\u2019t play in favor of road users. Try to stick to safer routes if you have a nightly commute. It might take longer but getting home in one piece is definitely worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Clean Your View<\/span><\/h3>\n

Damaged headlights or <\/span>cracked windshields<\/span><\/a> sure aren\u2019t pretty, but their danger is what\u2019s worth taking note of. Be sure to clean your dirty windshield and lights so your vision isn\u2019t compromised. This applies at any hour of the day, but that transition from sunset to dark can be harder to adapt to with your visibility compromised by grime and dust. Check your rear-view mirrors as well. And the same goes for your glasses!<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Don\u2019t Look Directly at Other Cars<\/span><\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve been mentioning this across the list: it\u2019s important! Being temporarily blinded while night driving is much more common than you think, but knowing where to look is key. When you notice an oncoming car glare, don\u2019t lose focus. You can lightly turn away to avoid being blinded, but don\u2019t lose sight of the road\u2019s white line. Looking away might sound counterintuitive, but adjusting only what\u2019s needed can save you a lot of trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Be Alert for Pedestrians and Wildlife<\/span><\/h3>\n

Being aware of potential hazards on the road is a best practice, but we can all agree that identifying nocturnal <\/span>animals on the road<\/span><\/a> or a jogger at an intersection in the dark is harder. Keep a keen eye on the road and don\u2019t take a clear path for granted. Look both ways on main roads and don\u2019t assume pedestrians and wildlife will be immediately visible.You should also be on the lookout for drunk drivers, which are more prevalent and erratic at night.<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Don\u2019t Forget Maintenance<\/span><\/h3>\n

Giving proper maintenance and having your vehicle in good condition is always the best option, saving you from needing <\/span>roadside assistance<\/span><\/a> in the middle of the night or having to adjust your headlights. For example, don\u2019t let oil changes, battery checks and <\/span>tire care<\/span><\/a> keep you from getting home. Add this to the many reasons to be prepared!<\/span><\/p>\n

Drive protected with Freeway Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n

The data is clear: night is one of the most dangerous times for driving. You may want to exercise a little extra caution when it comes to your premiums by making sure that you\u2019re getting the best rate on your auto insurance. Why not get a more <\/span>affordable car insurance quote<\/span><\/a> today? At Freeway Insurance we make sure you get the best service coupled with the ideal price. Everyone deserves to be protected! You can visit a free quote online, visit any of <\/span>our offices<\/span><\/a> or call us at\u202f<\/span>(800) 777-5620<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While night driving can be a risky activity almost anytime, throw in some hazardous weather conditions and the danger increases even more. Getting behind the wheel at night during the winter months can often result in some white knuckle trips, no matter how short. Whether you\u2019re dealing with high winds, heavy rain, or snow \u2013 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[81],"importance":[],"type-content":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1446"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1446"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8188,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1446\/revisions\/8188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1446"},{"taxonomy":"importance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/importance?post=1446"},{"taxonomy":"type-content","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-content?post=1446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}