Most people prefer day driving over night for all the good reasons. Driving in the full bright light you feel fearless, more confident and in control of yourself. Night is the total opposite; your eyes get sleepy, you feel bored, incoming dazzles you with high beams and so on.
It is obvious that anyone would select day times to drive provided it is an option, but circumstances can put you on any road, at anytime. Therefore, as a driver you should develop to handle any unseen situation with confidence. It is not mighty hard, but different people have different level of immunity to the traffic phobia. There are rules and there are tricks, you will find both in the guidelines given below:
Do not drive at nights if,
– You are drunk, (day driving is also a No-No in this case)
– You have weak eyesight or night blindness
– Any or both the headlights are broken
– Headlights have gone dim due to some fault
– Weather is bad and car wipers are not properly functioning
– The windshield is cracked
– You are feeling too tired to drive
– Brakes are not working properly
Don’t give way to doubts
Yes, you need to hold yourself together. If you get a doubt, clear it immediately and don’t take risk. At nightfall, turn on the lights irrespective of the fact how clear you can see in the dim light. If you think you saw some animal on the road, slow down, it might be there. Blink your lights if you think incoming car is falling of the lane.
Do not rush, drive slowly
As a general rule, drive at a speed whereby your car could stop without drift at the distance range of your light’s reach. Why? Because you can only see as far as your headlights allow, at high speeds you suddenly catch something but by the time you see it you have already closed in by meters and may not be able to prevent crashing into it. And, if you pull full brakes, the car could skid creating a dangerous situation for nearby traffic. Drive at slow speeds so you can assist the car to slowly stop before crossing the threshold distance of headlights.
Take weather precautions
Your car’s wipers and fog lights should be functional, and tyres too could lose their grip which is not good on wet roads. Constantly remove the mist from the windshield, headlights and mirrors by using wipers, heater etc. Do it even if you have to get out of the car and wipe with your hands using a cloth. Shivering while driving can cause loss of control, so also have a check on AC. It comes handy in summers, especially here in Arab states where high temperatures give you heat-stroke.
Accomplishing long drives
If you have day’s journey ahead, prefer picking days for driving and nights to rest at hotels. If the travel causes fatigue, disturbance of sleep cycles and even indigestion, take frequent breaks. If you feel tired, get out of the car and take a little stretch up. Stopping for tea or coffee also energizes you and removes weariness. Beware! Driving all the way through without resting is just as good as jumping of Dubai’s largest tower and hoping it will not hurt.
Helpful tips and tricks for Night Driving
– High beams of incoming vehicles dazzle your eyes and blind you momentarily, so avoid looking directly at it turning your gaze to the edge on your side of the road.
– Sleeping is the sweetest thing, but during night drive it is the devil. Stay alert, keep your eyes moving, listen to the music or radio, and yourself in mild conversation if you are accompanied. Whatever you do, don’t get too comfortable.
– Keep windshield super clean, dirt diffracts light and the windshield begins to look like a spider web, halting your view.
– You can use the high-beams if it’s too dark, but don’t be irresponsible; turn them off if a car is approaching.
– If a careless driver has turned on high-beams and you want to show him how it feels, you could end up blinding him too, which would be a terrible mistake.
– Don’t miss glowing road signs, they are your only chance to stay informed before arriving on sharp turns, bridges, broken roads etc.
– There may not be animal signs all around, but when you are passing through a rural area or desert side watch out for nocturnal animals.