A single accident claim can have a huge effect on the insurance rates that you pay and the car insurance coverage that you’re able to obtain. Safe driving skills are essential in order to avoid being involved in an at-fault accident. This is especially the case in dangerous driving conditions. Good night driving skills are critical for drivers that spend a lot of time on the roads. By keeping a few good night driving tips in mind, you’ll greatly improve your own safety and help keep your car insurance from experiencing a sudden hike in premiums due to an accident.
When driving at night, visibility is, of course, one of your prime concerns. Many drivers use their bright headlight setting at night on empty roads. This is a good way to keep the roads well lit for yourself. However, when doing this, be courteous. Turn off your brights when approaching other vehicles, and don’t forget to switch your brights off when they’re not necessary. You should also avoid looking at the brights of other vehicles. Instead, focus on a spot to the right or left of other cars. Additionally, don’t use your brights in fog. They won’t help you see. Instead, switch to lows. Use your regular lights throughout the dusk and early morning. Also, keep your headlights in good repair, as they’re the only way that other drivers can see you. If you notice that one of your headlights has gone out when driving, turn on your emergency lights and pull into the nearest rest stop or gas station to try to repair them.
When you’re traveling long distances at night, it pays to occasionally take some time to get out, stretch your legs and make sure that you’re not too tired or fatigued to continue. A cup of coffee can help give you a boost, but it’s not even close to a substitute for good sleep. So, if you feel tired, pull into a rest stop or hotel rather than looking for a gas station to fill up your mug. Night driving can be very boring, and it’s easy to zone out on the road. Keep your eyes moving and your mind engaged. Look as far ahead as possible for obstacles and other drivers, and don’t get distracted by objects of interest inside or outside your car. Your complete focus should be on driving.
Finally, go slow. You’ll risk an accident by speeding, as visibility is very low at night (as you might expect) and your reaction time won’t be fast enough to avoid a sudden object, animal or car in the middle of the road. Keep your car insurance rates low by paying attention and driving defensively, even at night.
