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How to Stay Safe When Driving at Night

There are many hazards on the road that, unfortunately, are much more dangerous when driving at night. In this post by National Synthetics in Acworth, GA, we’ll discuss five tips to make your next nighttime driving safer.

Ensure You’re Well Rested

One of the first things you need to ensure when driving at night is that you’re well rested. Driving fatigue is a common cause of accidents on the road as it can make you space out, decrease your awareness and lower your reaction times. Dozing off or falling asleep behind the wheel can be life-threatening for you and others on the road. Here are several ways to avoid this:

Take breaks while driving.
Stopping to stretch and walk around to promote blood flow.
Drinking beverages with caffeine.
Have an energizing snack.

Suppose none of these seem to be working for you. In that case, it’s best to hand over driving responsibilities to someone better rested or pull over for the night somewhere safe and ensure you’re alert enough. Your fatigue levels have gone down before you resume driving.

Take a few precautions before driving at night, like keeping your vehicle’s maintenance up to date. Call National Synthetics at (678) 799-9062 for information on the best products for your engine, like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. Once you’re ready, visit AMSOIL’s online store to place your order.

Do a Lights Check

An essential safety feature for nighttime driving is the lights on your vehicle. It’s vital to ensure that these are working correctly from time to time, as sometimes it’s not that noticeable if they’ve gone out or turned opaque because of chemicals and dirt from the road. For this, you must inspect your headlights, turn signals, brake, and tail lights to ensure they’re all working correctly. Two tips for headlights are to ask your mechanic to reposition your headlights by tilting them downwards to help you see the road better. This tip works well if you’re frequently taking trips at night. Another one is to use your high beams when there’s low visibility and your regular lights aren’t enough to see the road.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a group of techniques created to decrease the chance of being in a car crash. It also helps drivers react better to problems on the road, making them better drivers overall. One of the techniques taught in defensive driving is to learn to share the road. This means keeping an eye on your surroundings and driving safely for you and others on the road. Even though you can take defensive driving courses, the best way to learn to drive defensively is by practicing things like:

Eliminating distractions while driving like cellphones.
Planning your drive so you have enough time to get to your destination.
Adapting to weather and road conditions.
Signaling constantly and early to let other drivers know your intentions.

All of these suggestions can make you a better driver and help you avoid trouble on the road.

For advice about the best products for your engine’s maintenance, call National Synthetics at (678) 799-9062 or visit AMSOIL’s online store to see their full range of products and place your order.

Use Four-Lane Highways

Another safety tip when driving at night, especially if you’re traveling further away, is sticking to four-lane freeways. These highways usually offer much better separation between you and oncoming traffic. Some even have physical dividers that can help shield you if a car from the other side loses control and barriers that protect your eyes from oncoming traffic headlights. If possible, try choosing these types of highways instead of two-lane ones with far less protection or none at all.

Watch Out for Wildlife

Lastly, it’s essential to watch out for wildlife at night. Many species of wildlife choose to cross the road at night as they’re less likely to encounter cars, making it dangerous for you as a driver to encounter them. In Georgia, you might encounter smaller animals like raccoons and foxes and bigger ones like coyotes, white-tailed deer, and black bears. To avoid wildlife, scan the sides of the road for eyes, as they usually reflect your headlights. Slow down and honk to scare them off if you do see one. On the other hand, if they’re already crossing the road, slow down to a stop, put on your hazard lights for other drivers, and let the animal cross before resuming your drive.