We all know there are plenty of driving hazards to worry about during the day – from rain and snow to deer and potholes. But driving at night adds a completely new set of challenges.
Why? It all comes down to one word: visibility.
During a clear day, you might be able to see thousands of feet ahead of you. But when the sun’s down, and your headlights are on, that visibility can be reduced to as little as 150 feet!
All this means that when driving at night, you have less time to react. So, it’s important to make sure you’re seeing things clearly.
Your eyes should adjust to low light naturally. But if you find yourself squinting or struggling to see, keep these tips in mind.
7 Tips for driving at night
- Check your vision. Even if you don’t wear prescription glasses, poor night vision may warrant a trip to the eye doctor. As we age, it’s common to have more difficulty seeing at night. Blurry vision, trouble seeing objects, or experiencing glare from lights are all reasons to schedule an appointment. Correcting your vision with glasses or contact lenses could put an end to your night-driving woes.
- Get a clear view. A dirty windshield or worn windshield wipers can add an extra layer of difficulty to nighttime driving, especially if the rain starts to pour. For increased visibility, always make sure your windshield is clean from dirt, snow, and fog— and replace your wipers if they start to streak.
- Clean your headlights. Road grime can easily cover your headlights and dim their beams. Old, oxidized plastic housings can make lenses foggy. Remember to clean your headlights periodically and pick up a headlight restoration kit at your local auto parts store if your lights look cloudy or yellowed. To learn more, read The Driver’s Guide to Headlights.
- Dim your dashboard. Bright infotainment screens and dashboards aren’t just distracting—they can also make it difficult for your eyes to adjust to low light. Use the dimmer switch in your vehicle to turn down the lights and improve your nighttime visibility in the process.
- Check your headlight ratings. Not all headlights are created equal. In fact, just 44% of 2024 vehicles evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) earn a “good” rating for lighting the road and limiting glare. According to the IIHS, vehicles with good ratings for visibility have 19% fewer nighttime single-vehicle crashes and 23% fewer nighttime pedestrian crashes than vehicles with poor-rated headlights. Check out the latest results of IIHS headlight tests and consider upgrading your headlight bulbs to gain more visibility.
- Use your high beams. Speaking of headlights, your vehicle’s high-beam headlights (also known as “brights”) are a great tool to use in low-visibility situations. Low-beam headlights provide a down-the-road view of about 200-300 feet, depending on your vehicle. But using your high-beam headlights can extend that visibility to upward of 500 feet. For that reason, high beams are great to use on low-traffic rural roads or when traveling on a dark highway at high speeds. Just remember that the added light they emit can also be blinding to oncoming traffic. They can also reduce visibility in rain, fog, or snow.
- Leave the night driving glasses at home. Often marketed as “As-Seen-On-TV” products, night driving glasses aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Tinted lenses can help during the day, but anything designed to limit light at night is typically ineffective. Your eyes will adjust to low light on their own. If it’s hard to see at night, try the above tips before investing in these yellow shades.
Statistically speaking, the most dangerous trips you take are the ones that happen after the sun goes down. Following these tips will keep your visibility at its best, helping you maintain a clear view of the road ahead.
Our agents are focused on the road ahead, too. Our promise is simple: to be there when you need us. You can count on us to offer you the best auto insurance protection for you and your vehicle. Find a local insurance agent to learn more.
ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.
The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of October 2024 and may be changed at any time.
Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions. Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.
