Driving at night can be a challenge, whether you have perfect vision or you regularly wear glasses. The fact that not all roads have sufficient illumination makes navigating even more difficult. While night driving can be intimidating if you have less experience at the wheel, there are steps you can take to stay safe. Auto insurance companies recommend you take these three tips the next time you drive at night.

A Guide to Night Driving

1. Lower Your Speed

When there aren’t as many cars on the road at night, it can be tempting to drive faster to reach your destination. This is dangerous because you have a higher risk of accidentally striking nocturnal creatures that may make their way onto the road. To avoid accidents involving animals, like raccoons and deer, look out for their glowing eyes. If you cannot identify an animal in the road in time to avoid it, slow down until you can come to a complete stop.  Attempting to avoid the animal by swerving can cause a potentially severe auto accident.

2. Stay Alert

Although this tip may seem self-explanatory, staying alert can be difficult when you’re driving during late hours when you should be asleep. To combat fatigue while driving, make sure to get enough sleep beforehand, and drink water while you’re on the road. Distractions, such as listening to the radio or opening a window, can also help you stay awake during a sudden bought of drowsiness. 

3. Avoid Staring at Oncoming Lights

Since light easily bounces off of the surfaces of your car, it can be challenging to determine exactly where the lights from oncoming vehicles are pointing. Staring at these oncoming lights can also cause you to become distracted. The moment you take your eyes off the road, you risk causing a serious auto accident. Auto insurance companies highly recommend that you avoid looking into high beam headlights since they can be positioned at various angles that may confuse you while driving.

If you want to receive added protection while driving at night, contact Farmers Insurance Group to enroll in an auto insurance plan that suits your needs. With over 15 years of experience, we provide quality coverage throughout the entire country. To learn more about our motorcycle insurance and medicare advantage plans, visit our website. If you would like to speak with one of our representatives and receive a free quote, call (417) 926-7900 today.