MOTORING NEWS - Driving at night can be dangerous. About 56% of accidents generally occur between 18:00 and 06:00, according to statistics by the Road Transport Management Corporation (RTMC). For this reason, the Automobile Association (AA) says it is important that people understand how to drive better in dark conditions.
"Most importantly, people who suspect they have problems seeing at night should consult a doctor or optometrist to get their eyesight checked. Be honest with yourself about this as it is a safety aspect that needs checking. Equally important, anyone who needs prescription spectacles to drive must ensure they wear them, especially in low-light conditions. Don't let vanity outweigh safety - it's not worth it," the AA urges.
Another tip to driving better at night is to have a clear route planned; where possible, one with good road lighting.
Other tips from the AA on driving at night include:
Make sure your headlights and brake lights are in proper working order. If towing, make sure the brake lights and indicators are connected properly and working before leaving.
Keep the front and rear windscreens clean. Also make sure the defogger is working properly.
Avoid keeping your gaze focused at a single distance. This can cause eye fatigue.
Do not drive faster than the range of your vision. This means you must be able to stop at all times within the length of the road illuminated by your headlights.
Turn headlights on before sunset and keep them on till after sunrise. This will make you more visible to other motorists.
Don't blind other motorists. Dip headlights well before an approaching vehicle is within range. Also dip the headlights when driving behind another vehicle. If an oncoming driver doesn't dip their headlights, flash the beam back to high for a second and then dip again. Don't retaliate by keeping the high beam on. Two blinded drivers instead of one is merely doubling the danger.
Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. Remember, reaction time may be slower at night, because you are seeing less, but you have to respond in the same time as in daytime.
The AA says it is also advisable to drive to the conditions of the road and your abilities. This means driving slower at night is a good option. This is vital if one considers the results of a recent study by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) which suggest that halogen headlights, found in over 80% of vehicles on the road today, may fail to safely illuminate unlit roadways at speeds as low as 64km.
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