You might follow the rules of the road, but many drivers don’t. Whether they speed, drive under the influence, or ignore traffic lights, these drivers become extra dangerous at night. Visibility decreases, and objects can look different in the dark. Review these tips for driving safely at night to decrease your personal injury risk.

How to Drive Safely After Dark

1. Keep Your Windshield & Headlights Clean

Clean your windshield and headlights often, especially if you live in a dry climate with dust and dirt flying around. Dirty windshields and headlights scatter oncoming light to reduce your visibility and create glare issues for other drivers. 

2. Maintain Your Distance

Keep a safe distance from other drivers regardless of the time of day, but especially at night when visibility is compromised. For every 10 miles per hour, stay at least one car length away from the vehicle in front of you.

Use your headlights to help determine how far away other cars are. Low beams provide about 160 feet of illumination, while high beams provide approximately 500 feet.

3. Decrease Glare

If you wear glasses, minimize glare by wearing options with anti-glare coatings at night. Don’t wear polarized glasses or mirrored lenses, as both can negatively affect vision.

You can also decrease glare by adjusting your side mirrors so lights from behind don’t compromise your vision. Have a friend or family member shine their car lights behind you so that you can properly adjust the mirrors before hitting the road.

4. Stay Aware of Animals

Be aware of wild animals by looking for glowing dots. Your headlights reflect in their eyes, creating tiny lights you can spot up ahead.

Large wildlife such as deer and cougars can inflict several vehicle damage, while smaller nocturnal animals such as raccoons and possums can cause problems if you swerve to avoid them.

5. Slow Down

Avoid speeding since it leaves no time to react and accounts for 37% of nighttime driving deaths. Keep up with traffic while staying aware of what’s in front of you with your headlights. If someone else is driving recklessly, pull over in a safe place so the person can pass you without incident. 

If you get in a car accident despite your best safety efforts, contact Goicoechea, DiGrazia, Coyle & Stanton. The personal injury lawyers offer a combined 100 years of experience to provide residents throughout Elko, NV, and the surrounding areas with dedicated legal representation. Call the law firm at (775) 738-8091 to discuss your personal injury case, or visit the website for a complete list of practice areas.