When you are driving at night, you will want to have a vehicle that is easy for other drivers to see so that you can avoid a collision. In addition, this will make it simpler for you to see other vehicles during a rainstorm. Here are a variety of tips for better visibility while driving when it is dark.
Tip 1: Keep Your Vehicle Clean
By keeping your vehicle clean, it is easier for others to see it. This is important for all colors of automobiles, trucks, and vans, but an additional important part of the cleaning process is removing debris from the vehicle’s lights. The headlights, brake lights, and taillights are the main way that other drivers can see your vehicle at night. Make sure to remove mud, leaves or snow from the lights on the vehicle before you begin driving, making you more visible to the other drivers. You should also remove ice and snow from the windows so that you can see pedestrians and other drivers. This also makes it easier for others to see you behind the wheel while you are driving at night.
Tip 2: Change and Aim the Lights on a Vehicle
It is vital to aim the headlights in the proper angles so that the lights provide optimal visibility. There are booklets and online information that will help you to aim the headlights properly. You will likely need to change the aim of the headlights at night so that you can see the light from the items. If you have a knowledgeable friend to help you with this process, then it is easier. It is also helpful to have the friend follow you in a vehicle to determine if the headlights are aimed properly. Occasionally, the bulbs in the headlights or the other lights on your vehicle will burn out, so you should replace the items right away for the best visibility at nighttime.
Tip 3: Install a Backup Camera
You should use the backup camera in your vehicle to help you see better while driving. If you don’t have one of these items in your vehicle, then you can have a backup camera installed. This type of device is essential when you have a larger vehicle that makes it difficult to see things on the roads, including pedestrians or smaller vehicles. Make sure to practice driving the vehicle in a parking lot before driving on a busy city street so that you know how to use the backup camera properly.
Tip 4: Learn How to Drive-In Foggy Conditions
It is important to understand how to drive in foggy conditions that can make nighttime driving more dangerous. Your visibility will decline when it is foggy, leading to issues seeing other vehicles and also, being seen by other vehicles. To increase visibility, you should decrease your driving speed significantly, making sure to use your vehicle’s fog or driving lights. If you don’t have driving or fog lights, then you should use your vehicle’s headlights on the low beam. Avoid using the high beam setting because it leads to the light reflecting from the fog’s water vapor.
Tip 5: Improve Your Visual Acuity
If you are supposed to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, then make sure to wear the items at night so that you can see properly. Do not wear sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses that have dark lenses. When you notice that it is more difficult to see at night while driving, visit an optometrist for an eye examination, making sure to describe the vision problems that you are having while driving.