The inherent dangers of nighttime driving

Whether you are taking a short trip or a more lengthy drive, traveling during the day is preferred over the night. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the chances of an accident rise by three times during the evening and overnight.

While reduced visibility presents dangers at night, the nightlife plays a role with increased drunken drivers combined with the increased fatigue associated with traveling in the darkness. Still, operating a vehicle at night is often unavoidable. Specific steps can keep you safe.

Problems with modern headlights

While cars continue their evolution to become safer, certain features can create problems for other drivers. Many modern vehicles are sold with high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) headlights. While providing the necessary illumination for drivers, the headlamps can cause significant glare for drivers traveling in the other direction.

Experts at the American Optometric Association (AOA) have conducted studies. They claim that these new headlights are worse because they result in glare uncomfortable for oncoming drivers who will naturally wince and turn their gaze away. However, these alternatives to halogen lights will not result in disability glare, considered highly dangerous that can effectively blind the driver to oncoming objects.

Drivers have a certain level of control by averting their gaze from the lights and slowing down while maintaining a safe position and looking at the lane markers to regain road vision. Keeping the windshield clean can prevent visual distortions that can play a dangerous role.

The relationship between drivers traveling in opposite directions is literally and figuratively and “two-way street.” Consideration, not to mention defensive driving techniques, can go a long way to prevent serious and potentially deadly collisions.