The cold and dark nights are still ahead of us for some time in the UK, and even with the dark nights ‘officially’ ending after the winter solstice, which falls on December 21st, that doesn’t mean that it’s over immediately. And these conditions can prove a challenge to many of us, especially drivers.
Driving at night can be dangerous, as low-visibility can bring difficulty. In fact, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), approximately 40% of all road accidents in the UK occur during the night.
And although we have features that aid us when driving in the dark, such as our headlights, they can actually cause issues for other drivers on the road.
As such, the automotive experts at Dick Lovett have shared their top tips for driving in the dark, to ensure that yourself, other road users, and pedestrians are safe.
Just last week, research from the RAC found that a quarter of drivers (25%) who find other driver’s headlights too bright are actually choosing to drive less at night. A further three-quarters (75%) of those saying they’re choosing to drive less because of the intense headlights from other vehicles makes driving uncomfortable or more difficult.
The tips from Dick Lovett hope to help road users drive confidently during dark conditions, and prevent any potential problems such as headlight glare, dazzling, and low visibility.
1. Clean your windows and mirrors—and switch your rear-view mirror into ‘night mode’
Even though this is still hugely important during the day, having dirty windows at night can obstruct your view, making it more difficult to see on the already dark roads.
Dick Lovett also recommends switching your rear-view mirrors into night mode, a feature that has been in cars since as early as the 1980s. This feature makes your mirror darker and minimises the intensity of any reflections during the night to avoid glare from vehicles behind you.
On modern cars, your rear-view mirror will turn into night mode automatically, so there’s no need to turn this on and off yourself. But, for cars who don’t have this automatic feature, to turn your mirror into night mode, simply locate the small lever or tab at the bottom of the rear view mirror and flip it towards you. Then, to switch back to normal, flip it back.
2. Wear anti-glare driving glasses
Anti-reflective coated glasses are most effective for night driving, as the coating on the lenses minimises any glare and reflections, which can enhance contrast and overall visibility in dark conditions. You can purchase these glasses from many retailers.
As well as this, many drivers may struggle with astigmatism when driving at night, as this can cause blurred vision, halos around lights, and reduced contrast sensitivity.
According to Specsavers, mild astigmatism can be corrected with ordinary gas-permeable lenses, while others with higher amounts of astigmatism might benefit from special ‘toric’ soft lenses to fit your eye shape. Be sure to keep these lenses clean to avoid any further glare.
3. Wear prescription glasses
With visibility already low during the night, ensuring that you wear your glasses is more important than ever.
In fact, driving without prescription glasses when you legally need to wear them can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and could also lead to three penalty points on your driving license.
Make sure to wear your glasses when driving, or, keep a spare pair of glasses in the car in case you forget to take them with you.
4. Reduce speed and stay alert
As mentioned, approximately 40% of all road accidents in the UK occur during the night, and whilst you should never speed under any circumstance, this is even more so at night.
Drive at a moderate speed and leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead to allow for more reaction time, and this is also important when keeping an eye out for any pedestrians or hazards in the road that could be harder to see in the dark.
5. Adjust and use your headlights correctly
When driving at night, you must ensure your front and rear lights are properly functioning, as it’s actually illegal if they aren’t. To check your lights are working properly, simply turn them on before your journey to make sure they are functioning correctly.
As well as this, ensure that you use dipped headlights and full beams where appropriate. Dipped headlights should be used when visibility is poor, such as at night, and in bad weather, with full beams used when roads are dark and empty.
The research from the RAC found that 79% of people say they find it hard to tell when some vehicles are indicating, with 77% saying it’s difficult to judge the position of oncoming cars on the road when their headlights are so bright.
So, be sure to use your headlights correctly by turning to your dipped headlights when other road users are around, especially if they are in oncoming traffic, as this can dazzle them, and bring other risks.
It’s also important to adjust your headlights correctly, so the angle of the headlight beam is in the right place, as misaligned headlights can reduce your ability to see clearly at night and may dazzle oncoming drivers.
Most modern cars will do this for you automatically, but there are some ways you can do this manually as well. Typically, the headlight adjustment button can be located on the steering wheel, represented by the headlight symbol (a dome shaped symbol with downward pointing lines) and a dial with numbers. This will alter the angle of the headlights as you turn the dial.
If you’re unsure on how to adjust the headlights correctly for your vehicle, the user manual should contain the specifications.
But when performing manual adjustments without this feature, there are a few steps you must follow:
- Park on flat, level ground – First, position your car on a flat surface, around 5-7 metres away from a wall or garage door.
- Mark the beam pattern – Then, turn on your headlights and use masking tape to mark the centre of each beam on the wall.
- Adjust the screws – Next, locate both the vertical and horizontal adjustment screws, and alter the beam so it aligns just below the marked level, as this will help to avoid dazzling other drivers.
- Test the lights – Finally, take the car for a short drive to ensure your visibility is improved, without any excessive glare.