Safety Tips for Driving in the Dark

Dark conditions and reduced visibility can make for unsafe driving conditions. As we adjust to the end of daylight-saving time, now is a good time to check the illumination of your headlights and follow these safety tips for nighttime driving:

• With 50% of crashes occurring at night, drivers should frequently check their headlights for signs of deterioration and restore or replace damaged headlights.
  • Did You Know: Headlights can show signs of deterioration after 3 years, but most commonly by year 5
• Check headlights for changes in appearance such as yellowing or clouding. If the bulb is difficult to see, it is time to have the lens replaced or restored as soon as possible.
  • Replacement and restoration services are available at most repair shops, including AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.
  • Do-it-yourself restoration offers some savings for consumers, is relatively simple, and provides a sufficient improvement in light output.
  • Make sure headlights are correctly re-aimed to maximize forward lighting performance and minimize glare to oncoming and preceding drivers.
• Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you.
• Keep your eyes moving. Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves, or at intersections, because these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles.
• Look at the sides of objects. In the dim light, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.
• Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white-painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.

Protect your vehicle while driving during the night or day with AAA Auto Insurance. To get a free no-obligation quote click here or call 1-855-282-2275