Drive
Safely After Dark
Do you hate
driving at night? You’re hardly alone. In fact, 7 out of 10 drivers in the U.S.
fear evening driving because of the lack of visibility, according to an
industry study. Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed are worried about hitting a
person or an animal, and one-quarter are concerned about not seeing road
markings.
With this in
mind, consider these preventive measures to help you make it safely down the
road.
Prep for
Success
Before you head out, make sure your visual tools are in order. Adjust all
mirrors and check to see if the dimming feature on the rear-view mirror is set,
if you have one. "If you’re driving in the country—where there is no ambient
light—make sure beforehand that both of your headlights are working and they’re
clear of mud, film, ice and snow,” says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice
editor for Edmunds.com.
Pay
Attention to Your Headlights
Modern vehicles often allow headlights to get adjusted on the fly from the
driver’s seat. "You want to make sure they’re set low for city driving and
higher for country driving,” Reed says. If an oncoming vehicle’s headlights are
too bright, move to a lane that’s not in direct view. If headlights behind you
are too bright, find a safe place to pull over to let the car pass, or move to
the right-hand lane.
Keep It
Clear
After the sun goes down, bad weather can be intimidating. Be sure your wiper
blades are in top form and your wiper fluid is topped off. Keep a working ice
scraper with you and make sure your windows are clean. "Once you’re in the car,
use your defrost/defog feature on cold, damp nights,” says Art Jacobsen, vice
president at CarMD. "Make sure the air is drawing from outside and not in
‘re-circulation’ mode, which will take longer to defrost and defog your
widows.”
Stay
Alert
Avoid mobile device usage and keep your eyes moving. "Look for reflectors,
pedestrians, animals’ eyes, debris—especially if it’s windy or stormy—and
stalled cars ahead,” Jacobsen says. "Be aware of any cars near you so you can
prepare to slow, stop or change lanes as needed.”
Don’t
Outdrive Your Headlights
"That means that if you can’t stop within the area that’s illuminated in front
of you,” Jacobsen says, "you’re driving too fast.”
Because you’re a member of Alpha
Zeta Fraternity, you may be eligible for special
discounts on Nationwide® auto insurance.
Get
a free, no obligation quote,
Contact your local agent, or Call
888-889-4322