Do you often find yourself behind the wheel at night? Even if you've only driven in the dark a handful of times, you know how incredibly different it is from driving in the daytime. Additionally, you probably also know how much you need to adjust your normal driving habits to adapt to the darkness. Here at Toyota of N Charlotte, we've already broached the topic of driving at night a time or two, but we're back with additional tips to help you safely tackle these driving conditions.
Six more tips for driving at night safely
Tip #1: Wear the right glasses. If you wear glasses, you know that when driving at night they can take light and reflect it, distorting your vision. That's why it's important to wear the RIGHT glasses if you're getting behind the wheel in the dark. You should ensure that your glasses have an anti-reflective coating on them or opt for special lenses that clip over them to give you the best nighttime vision possible.
Tip #2: Know how to use your rearview mirror. Did you know that your rearview mirror can help prevent you from being blinded by the car behind you? If the driver behind you has their brights on (or has ultra-bright LED lights), looking in the rearview mirror can be painful. In this situation you should take the tab on the bottom of the mirror and flip it; this simple step adjusts the mirror so the light is out of your eyes.
Tip #3: Don't look into oncoming lights. If a car is passing you on the other side of the road with its brights on, do your best to avoid looking at them, even if you have to shield your face with your hand. Looking at bright lights while driving at night can leave you momentarily blind after you pass them, putting you and your passengers at risk.
Tip #4: Be retina-aware. You already know that animals are more active and thus, more likely to be on the road at night... but did you know there's an easier way to spot them when driving in the dark? Light will reflect off of the retinas of their eyes, causing a tiny green light. If you see said light, you know there's an animal ahead and you should slow your vehicle so you can react accordingly.
Tip #5: Check your headlight alignment. Are your car headlights evenly aligned and pointing the same way? Believe it or not, they might not be and this can have negative impacts when you're driving at night. To check them, pull up close to a wall and park facing it. Turn your headlights on so you can see where the beams point. If they're uneven, then adjust the bulbs until they're aligned properly.
Tip #6: Dim your interior lights. It's a good idea to dim both your interior lights and your instrument panel before driving at night. Bright lights can distract you from the road and actually impede your field of vision.
Toyota of N Charlotte is here to help you tackle driving at night
Have questions? Want more tips on driving at night? You've come to the right place - visit Toyota of N Charlotte at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville. You can also call us at (704) 875-9199!
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