Nighttime Driving Safety

As the amount of daily daylight we have grows shorter, driving in the dark becomes more common, creating safety concerns. The National Safety Council (NSC) states that depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision can all be compromised in the dark. Also, the glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle can temporarily blind a driver.

Limited visibility when driving in the dark creates less time to avoid and react to hazards on the road. This is especially dangerous when driving at higher speeds.

What can you do to combat low visibility when driving in the dark? The NSC shares a few tips to help keep yourself and others safe when driving at night:

  • Aim your headlights correctly and make sure they're clean
  • Dim your dashboard
  • Look away from oncoming lights
  • If you wear glasses, make sure they're anti-reflective
  • Clean the windshield to eliminate streaks
  • Slow down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time

With 50 percent of traffic-related deaths occurring at night, it’s important that you take the steps necessary to stay safe. Even when driving a short distance or on roads you’re familiar with, nighttime driving presents challenges for us all. To learn more about driving safety, click here