Driving at Night

Here are some essential hints and tips on how to stay safe whilst out driving at night.

Street Lighting

Naturally, it’s more difficult to see in low light, particularly in areas where there is no street lighting. Be aware of this and reduce your speed accordingly, as well as being extra vigilant.

Eye fatigue

Driving at night can cause eye fatigue. To prevent this, or relieve symptoms once they occur, keep your eyes moving by rolling them from side to side, near to far ahead, and so on.

Keep windows and mirrors clean

Aid maximum visibility by keeping your windows and mirrors clean. Also never allow them to become obscured by frost, steam, scratches or cracks.

Headlights

By law, you must use your headlights at night. This is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. This is both to help you see the road effectively, and to make sure other road users can see you. Always make sure that your lights are clean and in full working order. If any bulbs have blown, you must replace them as soon as possible.

Don’t dazzle other drivers

Be aware of dazzling other road users. If you are using your main beam, you must make sure you switch it off when another vehicle approaches on the other side of the road. The same applies when you are following another vehicle, you don’t want to dazzle them with your lights in their rear view mirrors.

What to do if you’ve been dazzled by headlights

If another road user’s lights dazzle you, try to turn your eyes aware from the glare if it is from an oncoming vehicle, or flip your rear view mirror if the vehicle is behind you. It is also a good idea to reduce your speed whilst your eyes recover, though if someone is behind you it’s important not to slow too suddenly.

Reduce your speed

Watch your speed. It’s much more dangerous to drive too fast in the dark than during the day. You can only see as far ahead as your headlights allow, meaning you have much less time to assess the road ahead and spot any potential hazards.

Keep a safe distance

Leave more room between yourself and any vehicles in front. If they have to brake suddenly for an unexpected hazard, you need to give yourself plenty of time to stop to avoid a collision.

More information

For more information on driving in different weather conditions including snow, ice, fog, at night and in the rain, check out our Winter Driving page.