Driving at night is risky due to poor visibility and the chance of falling asleep at the wheel. To safely hit the road after dark, follow the tips below by Tarheel Synthetics in Sanford.

Reduced visibility and drowsy driving make night driving risky. So much so that the National Safety Council estimates that 50% of traffic fatalities occur at night. Of course, such a statistic is concerning, so this post has compiled the best tips to improve safety while driving at night. Read on if you are interested in this topic and want to learn how to face the roads at night properly.

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How to Stay Safe While Driving at Night

Check Your Car's Lighting System

Your vehicle's lighting system is key for seeing and being seen on the road at night. That is why it is essential to keep your headlights in perfect condition. To do so, start by having the external lenses cleaned by a pro. You can also wash them independently by following your manual's instructions. Also, see if your headlights are aiming correctly by following your manual's instructions. Doing so is vital to determine if they are illuminating the road properly or not. Likewise, we recommend you follow a lighting system inspection before each night ride. All you have to do is turn your car's lights on and off a couple of times to ensure they are working as they should. If you notice a problem such as a flickering or dim headlight, have it checked by a professional.

Get Your Eyes Checked Once a Year

Having your eyesight checked is one of the best things you can do to improve your safety while driving at night. Even if you think your vision is ok, you should visit your eye doctor. That way, you will be able to know whether or not you have eye conditions that could be compromising your driving visibility. In that regard, keep in mind that your eyesight goes as far as your headlights will allow at night. So, it is difficult to see pedestrians, bicyclists, or potholes beyond the 160 feet of road ahead of your vehicle. If, besides such difficulty, you have an undiagnosed eye condition, the chances of putting yourself or others at risk increase. Considering all that, be sure to have your eyesight checked at least once a year.

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Look Away From Oncoming Car's Headlights

Have you ever been dazzled at night when looking at bright car headlights? As you probably know, the pupils of the eyes dilate when little light is available. When the pupil reaches its maximum opening, the retina is fully exposed to capture the limited amount of light in the environment. Hence, the eye gets super sensitive to light. In that state, it is hazardous to see the headlights of another vehicle. That is why seeing bright lights at night can glare and blind you momentarily, which is highly dangerous at the wheel. With that in mind, avoid looking at the headlights of oncoming cars. Instead, look at the white line marking the edge of the right side of the lane until you pass the vehicle.

Reduce Your Speed

As you can imagine, it is advisable to be more cautious and drive at a low speed at night. Because of the poor visibility, it is more difficult to see people or objects on the road. It is even difficult to notice curves, potholes, or unevenness in the way. If you are driving very fast at night on top of the poor visibility, chances are that you will not have enough time to brake or swerve if you encounter a hazard. With that in mind, be sure to reduce your speed at night to react to any risky situation more safely.

Don't Take the Wheel When Tired

Driving at night not only involves dealing with poor visibility but also drowsiness. Of course, it is best to avoid driving when you are tired, as going out with heavy eyelids puts you at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. However, there is no better choice on certain occasions but to drive at night. In such a case, opt to sleep for at least 20 minutes before heading out. Having that short nap will minimize the symptoms of drowsiness so that you will be safer in the car.

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