Night Driving - SAFETY ABOVE ALL

The most dangerous time to drive is after dark

• Depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision can be compromised

• Headlight glare can be temporarily blinding

• Limited visibility = less time to react

  • 250 ft. = normal headlights

  • 500 ft. = high beams

• Traffic deaths are 3x greater at night!

Combatting darkness

To reduce the risk of an accident related to driving at night, the NSC recommends:

• Aiming headlights correctly

• Dimming the dashboard

• Looking away from oncoming lights

• Wearing anti-reflective glasses

• Keeping windshields clean

• Slowing down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time

• Shorter days, darker rush hours, fatigue, and impairment all add to night driving risks

Combatting darkness during rush hour

Winter darkness makes rush hour even more problematic. The NSC recommends:

• Being patient; slowing down

• Staying in lane and steering clear of drivers who dart from lane to lane

• Staying alert - even in familiar surroundings

• Minimizing distractions, such as cell phones and eating and drinking while driving

Reduced Night Vision

Age impacts a person's ability to see at night:

• A 50-year-old individual may need 2x as much light to see as a 30-year-old individual

• Vision may be compromised by cataracts or degenerative eye diseases

• To avoid risk, turn on headlights when driving in the dark or in bad weather

Combatting reduced night vision

• Complete annual vision exams

• Reduce speed

• Take a refresher driving course

• Minimize distractions

• Know the side effects of prescription drugs

• Understand the vehicle's light symbols. A bright dashboard doesn't always mean headlights and taillights are on