Saed News: If you have to drive at night, remember these 7 important methods to improve your visibility. If you usually return home from work late at night, you've likely witnessed accidents. While you might think the frequency of these accidents at night is unusual, unfortunately, car accidents occurring late at night are a common phenomenon.
According to the Science and Technology section of Saed News, drivers generally face a higher risk of accidents at night. The U.S. NHTSA reported that in 2020, about 29% of over 5 million car accidents in the U.S. occurred at night, and nearly half of these incidents were fatal. Unfortunately, while humans have many remarkable capabilities, our natural night vision is quite poor. Given this, it's no surprise that our field of vision becomes significantly restricted while driving at night, making it harder to judge speed and available space.
Adding to this are the fatigue and frustration of late hours, all of which collectively increase the risk of car accidents. To enhance the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users, it is essential to take every necessary precaution to prevent accidents. The steps each driver needs to take may vary, but overall, the vehicle should be in optimal condition, and extra attention should be given while driving at night. In this article, we outline seven important methods to improve a driver's field of vision at night.
Keep the Windshield Clean
As mentioned, human vision is significantly limited at night, so many steps must be taken to improve visibility. The windshield is the first line of defense in this regard. During the day, identifying the surroundings might be easier, but a dirty windshield at night can pose serious risks. Dirt and grime on the windshield scatter light, causing glare and discomfort for the driver. In addition to cleaning the exterior, ensure the wipers are functioning properly. It’s also essential to clean the windshield from the inside to avoid any obstructions to visibility.
Regular Cleaning of Headlights
After the windshield, the headlights take center stage as perhaps the most critical component for nighttime driving. Regardless of street and road lighting conditions, any malfunction in the headlights can make night driving virtually impossible. Like every part of the vehicle, headlights must be kept in optimal condition. They are prone to getting dirty easily and require consistent cleaning. Additionally, if you notice signs of damage or malfunction in the headlights, it’s crucial to replace them promptly.
Turning Off Interior Car Lights
At first glance, keeping the interior lights on while driving at night might seem like a good idea, as it enhances the ambiance of the cabin and seemingly helps keep the driver alert. However, this is not the case. Interior lights should not be on while driving at night. Surprisingly, these lights can be highly distracting because they draw the driver’s attention away from the road. Even worse, interior lights create dangerous reflective glare, making the outside appear darker. Additionally, turning these lights off suddenly can cause temporary blindness, as the driver’s eyes take some time to adjust to the cabin's darkness.
Driving at a Safe Speed
This principle is crucial regardless of whether it’s day or night, but it becomes even more critical during nighttime driving. You're likely familiar with the outcomes of high-speed street racing late at night. Excessive speed can significantly reduce your field of vision at night. Even under optimal conditions, it takes time for our eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. Driving at high speeds makes it difficult for your eyes to detect obstacles on the road. This delay in reaction time can lead to serious dangers. Even if there aren’t many vehicles on the road, there’s still a risk of collisions with animals, pedestrians, or other obstacles. Always drive at a safe speed, and slow down if necessary to better perceive and respond to road conditions.
Visiting an Eye Doctor
After following all the tips in this article, it might be time to visit an eye doctor for a comprehensive checkup and any necessary interventions. Issues like farsightedness or nearsightedness, which may require corrective lenses, can be addressed by an eye doctor. Through specific tests, the doctor can assess your visual field and suggest improvements. Even if you don’t need glasses, certain exercises and healthy habits can enhance your nighttime vision. Additionally, maintaining a diet rich in vitamin A—found in foods like carrots, squash, spinach, eggs, and milk—can significantly boost your eyesight.
Using High Beams Only When Necessary
When the area outside the car is very dark, you may be inclined to use high beams. While this feature is undoubtedly helpful, it should only be used in specific circumstances. Unfortunately, some drivers use high beams indiscriminately, disregarding road conditions and other drivers, causing discomfort and glare. The vehicle's high beams can temporarily blind oncoming drivers, increasing the likelihood of accidents. High beams should only be used when no vehicles are approaching from the opposite direction. Additionally, during heavy fog, high beams should be avoided as they can reduce visibility by reflecting off the fog.
Avoid Driving When Tired
It’s natural for humans to feel tired after work and become drowsy as night falls. While many people stay awake during late hours, some drivers quickly become fjatigued and sleepy. The dangers of drowsy driving are evident but should not be underestimated. Estimates suggest that 330,000 car accidents per year in the U.S. result from driver fatigue. Additionally, the NHTSA reports that such accidents incur an annual cost of $109 billion. Sleepy eyes lead to limited vision and cause everything to appear blurry. Moreover, fatigue increases reaction time and impairs judgment, further elevating the risk of accidents.
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