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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Advanced Night Driving Tips That Every Driver Should Know

By Ethan Melandri

Night driving can be demanding, even exhausting, due to the reduction in sight and the possible dangers that can be found on the road. Other drivers may also have difficulty seeing, which can become a problem for you. The roads during the night hours do tend to be less travelled, though, thus you might enjoy more autonomy.

There are a few things you can do to ensure safe driving at night. You can clean your headlights and test them for working order. A legal requirement for driving at night is to have sidelights and number plate lights. When checking your headlamps it is necessary to check for proper alignment. You do not want to blind or annoy other drivers on the road. It is best to have a professional car mechanic check the alignment.

If you are driving with a heavy load in the rear or boot of your car you also may find that your headlights are pointing too high up. Once again this can prove distracting to other drivers, however it can normally be fixed by moving your headlight angle adjustment switch inside the cockpit.

Headlights should normally be switched on when street lamps have illuminated. However on dull days, during adverse weather conditions or periods of low ambient light it is also a good idea to switch on your headlights so you can see and be seen more clearly. This is particularly important if you have a dull coloured car that does not stand out very well.

Only when you encounter unlit streets should you use your high beam headlights. At all other times you should use the lower setting. Your main beam headlights can be a problem for other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists, so if you are using them you will need to turn them off as you approach them.

When following a vehicle closely at night you should also keep your main beam lights switched off. If you plan to overtake then you should exercise extreme caution because of the reduced visibility and optical illusions created by the dark. Pay particular attention to hidden dips or bends that may affect your ability to safely overtake.

Being dazzled is a particular hazard when driving at night and can temporarily affect your ability to see clearly, however there are some simple tips to help prevent this situation. At night you may find yourself naturally drawn to looking at oncoming headlights, fight this temptation by looking slightly to the left of the lights.

Your windshield should be kept clean of grease, dirt, or other grime as this can affect a light beam. Chips and cracks can also make a distraction. Your vehicle rear view mirror has two settings. One is for night driving to lower the impact of cars following. You should use this ability. Also remember to slow down at right hand bends because you could find lights affecting your sight.

Driving at night is an activity that should not be feared or worried about, but instead viewed as an enjoyable challenge and a chance to enjoy your vehicle when the roads are not as congested. - 21393

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