There is rarely a time when people won’t be one the road, whether it’s night, day, dusk or dawn. Unfortunately, there are times of day that are more dangerous than others. Low-light situations, like those at dusk, dawn or at night, are particularly hazardous to drivers, but it’s older drivers with the greatest risk.
According to the National Safety Council, traffic fatalities happen three times more often during the night than during the day, but despite that, most drivers can’t put off driving to other, brighter times. Commuting from work in the early morning and returning in the evening is just one reason why many drivers are out around dawn or dusk.
If you want to stay safer despite low-light conditions, there are some tips you can follow. Here are three to help you on your way.
- As you age, be aware of vision changes
One of the first things to remember as you age is that your vision may decrease in low-light conditions. A 50-year-old driver, it is estimated, may need as much as double the light to see in the same way as a 30-year-old driver.
- Make sure to use your headlights correctly
Use headlights at dawn, dusk and at night, so you make sure your vehicle stands out and that you can see clearly. You can also use them throughout the day if you tend to forget to turn them on and don’t have them set to automatic. Avoid using your brights unless you are in a rural area without many street lights.
- Avoid added distractions or hazards
Since you may need to pay closer attention to the road than usual at night, avoid other distractions like talking on the phone, listening to the radio or eating behind the wheel.
While you can take steps to avoid causing a crash and may even be able to avoid a collision by mitigating others’ mistakes, there is no way to completely protect yourself. If you do end up getting involved in a crash because of another person’s mistakes, then you may be able to hold them liable.
