The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2020 Fatality Data shows that the number of accidents during nighttime is up by 11 percent. That means motorists need to be more careful when driving at night.

For one thing, the human eye has its limitations. When we get behind the wheel at night, we’re driving with diminished depth perception, peripheral vision, and color distinction ability. So how do you drive smart and stay safe on the road at night?

Here are 10 ways to do just that:

1. Be hyperaware and be on defensive mode.

If you ever need to be a little paranoid, driving at night is one of those times. Never downplay the possibility that someone is out on the road driving while under the influence or drowsy. It goes without saying, of course, that you yourself should never drive if you’ve been drinking or if you’re drowsy. In 2019, 1.9 percent (697) of the total driving fatalities were caused by drowsy drivers.

2. Steer clear of two-lane highways.

Nighttime glare can be particularly tricky on two-lane highways. These are typically what you would be dealing with: headlights of oncoming cars, lower overall light, plenty of sharp curves and hills. Your move? Choose a safer route, preferably a freeway.

3. Keep your windshield and mirrors clean.

Not only that, make sure they don’t have cracks or streaks. Never underestimate the dangers that a dirty or damaged windshield and mirrors can pose, especially when you’re out on the road at night.

If your windshield is dirty or damaged, it can scatter light and likely amplify the effects of glare. Take note that just because your windshield looks clean at daytime doesn’t mean it will be free of streaks that cause glare come nighttime.

Here’s a cheap and effective solution: Polish your windshield with newspaper to get rid of the streaks, which may have been caused by you touching your windshield or something that may have brushed against it.

For quick cleanups, use a cotton or microfiber cloth, which you should always keep handy.

4. Drive slower.

NHTSA’s data indicate that speeding was a contributing factor in 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2019. Speeding-related crashes are largely due to lower visibility and shorter reaction times. To be safe, adjust your speed to account for factors like visibility and how other motorists are navigating through the same road as you.

5. Dim your interior lights.

Keep your dashboard lights dim. Otherwise, you are likely to get disoriented when you glance up from a brightly lit dashboard to the dark road ahead. Ideally, your vehicle’s critical controls should be easily visible without being distracting. Your sun visor can also double as a shield against street lights and glare at night.

6. Avoid staring at oncoming headlights.

Keep your eyes on the road, but don’t stare at oncoming headlights or high beams. To avoid being blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, shift your eyes down and to the right. The right edge of the road or lane markings will be your temporary guide to keep you on track until the oncoming vehicle has passed.

7. Know when to use your high beams.

High beams can be a lifesaver in rural areas or on open roads. Just be sure to dim them by the time an approaching vehicle is within 500 feet to avoid temporarily blinding the other driver and not to use them if there’s a vehicle in front of you. If you’re shopping for a new car anytime soon, consider going for a model that comes with adaptive lighting systems, which automatically adjust your high beams according to your driving circumstances.

8. Watch out for nocturnal animals.

Accidents involving deer and other nocturnal animals of different sizes commonly occur at night or at dusk. Your high beams are useful for helping you spot an animal’s glowing eyes, so you can slow down and stop in time instead of swerve.

9. Take care of your eyes.

The National Safety Council (NSC) recommends an annual checkup to ensure your vision is up to the task of driving, especially at night. As we grow older, glare becomes more of a challenge in navigating the road. Taking care of your eyes also includes choosing the right glasses to wear for driving at night.

10. Regularly test your lights (as well as keep them clean).

Visibility can already get tricky, thanks to weather conditions or irresponsibility/incompetence on the part of other motorists—driving with busted lights just makes things trickier. Not only should all your lights be working, they should also be clean. According to the NHTSA, dirty or damaged headlights can result in poor visibility and cast glare onto oncoming drivers. So be sure to regularly clean your headlights, and all your lights, for that matter.

Lastly, see that your headlights are angled correctly. Sometimes headlights, even in brand-new cars, are uneven or pointed lower than they should be. Either make the adjustments yourself (see instructions in your owner’s manual) or have a pro take care of it. Properly aiming your headlights should both improve your visibility as well as ensure your headlights don’t blind oncoming traffic.

Following the above tips not only helps you stay safe (as well as help keep your fellow motorists safe), they also help you avoid the unnecessary cost of car repairs, not to mention the inconvenience of not being able to use your car while it’s being repaired.

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