With the new fall season upon us, the days will soon be shorter and you may find yourself having to drive in the dark more often than you did previously in the spring and summer. As winter comes along, the increase in darkness during the day will increase as well.
Driving in the dark can be more difficult for some, especially those with vision impairment. However, even drivers with 20/20 vision can experience trouble seeing clearly in the dark. Keeping safe on the road is important for you, your passengers, and others on the road, which is why we’ve compiled the following list of safety tips to keep in mind as we move into more nighttime driving:
- Check that all of your exterior and interior lights are working properly. Your vehicle’s headlights, brake lights, and signal lights are all necessary for driving in the dark. You need to see the road ahead of you and behind you, and other vehicles need to be alerted of your presence on the road. If your exterior lights look cloudy or dim, it’s time to have them cleaned or have the bulbs replaced. Dim interior lights can be an indication of a battery or alternator issue, so that is something you may want to have checked out as well.
- Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are in good shape. When driving in the dark, you may find yourself taking a sharp turn unexpectedly if you didn’t see it coming. Winding roads and sharp turns are definitely a bald tires enemy, so make sure that your tires are properly filled with air and have good tread to keep you safe in these instances.
- Replace your windshield wipers and fill up your wiper fluid if needed. Driving in the dark can make dirt on your windshield even harder to see through, so you’ll want to make sure you have fluid and good wipers to clear your vision. Plus, you never know when the rain will strike during the fall or winter months, so having good wipers is critical.
- If you are visually impaired, keep an extra pair of prescription glasses in your vehicle, especially for nighttime driving. We’ve heard it so many times, the “I forgot my glasses” line. This way, you’ll never be without glasses when you need them on the road.
- Keep your interior lights off and dim your dashboard lights when driving in the dark. Lights on inside the car can make it difficult to see in the dark outside.
- Always keep an emergency kit with you in your vehicle just in case. Include a phone charger, emergency numbers, a flashlight, a tire changing kit, and a first aid kit.
We hope that these tips will help you be more prepared for the darker drives to come. If your vehicle needs any of the services mentioned above, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle into Revolution Motor Works today!
