The National Safety Council (NSC) and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warn that being on the road after dark is the most challenging time behind the wheel. Nighttime is also when fatal accidents are three times more likely to occur. Below are a few things to avoid when driving at night around Greenwich, CT, and to help you stay safe on the road.
1. A Damaged Windshield
Your windshield must be in good condition to increase your visibility at night. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that a scratched, nicked, or cracked windshield will seriously impair your vision at night, increase glare, and scatter light. As soon as you notice windshield damage, get it repaired to improve your nighttime visibility, even if it’s just a minor nick.
2. Improper Headlight Settings
The National Safety Council (NSC) states that a driver’s visibility is limited to approximately 500 feet with high beams and only 250 feet on low beams. If your headlights are not set at the right height and are too low, you won’t properly see the road ahead, and if the headlights are set too high, you could blind other drivers. Ask your INFINITI technician to check your headlights and adjust them to the correct angle for the best visibility.
3. Being Blinded
At night your visibility is poor, and your headlights and the headlights from oncoming traffic can further impair your vision. Avoid directly looking at the headlights of oncoming vehicles. The bright light might temporarily blind you.
To avoid blinding other drivers on open or rural roads, dim your headlights within 500 feet of an oncoming car, and when you are behind another vehicle, don’t use your high beams.
4. Speeding
Reduce your speed to increase your safety on the road at night. When you drive fast, and your visibility is limited, it shortens your reaction time and increases your chances of causing a traffic accident. According to the NSC and the NHTSA, speed-related crashes in the USA account for 37 percent of fatalities during nighttime driving, compared to 21 percent during daylight hours.
5. Tailgating
When you drive on a dark road, you can only see as far as your headlights allow, giving you less time to react. Reduce your speed and keep a safe following distance of at least three to four seconds between your car and the vehicle in front of you. If you leave enough space, it should give you the time you need to react, brake, and avoid road hazards and collisions.
6. Drowsiness and Alcohol
If you want to hit the road after dark, it’s better to avoid driving if you feel tired, which can affect your focus and concentration on the road. The NHTSA warns that crashes resulting from drowsiness occur primarily between midnight and 6 am. If you consume alcohol, it will increase your drowsiness and impair your concentration. In these situations, it’s best to avoid nighttime driving altogether.
If you are regularly on the roads after dark, make sure you are safe behind the wheel. Drive slower, keep a safe following distance, and don’t get blinded by the headlights of oncoming vehicles. Visit DARCARS INFINITI of Greenwich today, and our qualified technicians will ensure that your car is in tip-top condition for nighttime driving.
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