3 Tips for Driving Safely at Night in California

Driving at night isn’t just difficult, it can be extremely dangerous. When it is dark outside, the human eye has a diminished capacity for seeing color and distance and utilizing peripheral vision. Even the best headlights with high beams turned on only illuminate the road about 350 to 500 feet in front of you. Other dangers can fill our roadways at night like sleepy, drunk, and distracted drivers.

None of these are ideal highway companions. The highest number of drunk drivers are on the road between midnight and 3:00 AM, and fatal car accidents happen four times as often at night as opposed to during the day. Nonetheless, people need to drive at night, but there are a few steps that can help make sure you arrive at your destination in one piece, even after sundown.

If you are involved in a car accident at night for any reason, make sure that you contact a California car accident attorney as soon as you possible.

Tip 1: Aim Your Headlights

Have you ever noticed that you are having difficulty seeing at night because your headlights seem to be pointed down, illuminating only what is directly in front of you instead of out at the road ahead of you? Headlights can shift over time, gradually lowering their focal point until all they illuminate is the ground a few feet in front of them. This is a simple fix that can be handled either by a mechanic or yourself. Taking the time to have this minor adjustment made can make a world of difference by increasing your range of sight as well as your visibility to other cars, reducing your likelihood of a car accident.

Tip 2: Dim Your Dashboard Lights

Super bright LED dashboard displays and the sharp white electronic glow of your navigation system can be not only distracting, but they can also diminish your range of vision as well. Dimming these lights as much as possible will help to reduce glares and reflections on your windshield which can block out your view when you are driving at night. It also allows your eyes to adjust more appropriately to the darkness so you are better able to see what is ahead of you.

Tip 3: Wipe Down Your Windshield

Often a windshield that looks perfectly clean during daylight hours appears frosted and covered in streaks at night. Oncoming headlights, street lamps, and lit business signs can all highlight these streaks and glares that only occur when driving at night. These smudges can significantly reduce the ability of the driver to observe the road around them properly. Wiping your windshield down with a piece of newspaper works wonders for removing spots, streaks, and smudges that can impede your vision and a mixture of water and white vinegar is better than many store-bought glass cleaners.

Avoiding Nighttime Car Accidents

Unfortunately, most of us cannot refuse to drive anywhere at night just for safety’s sake, and following these tips can help you be a safer driver after dark. Before attempting minor solutions such as adjusting your side view mirrors to reduce the glare of headlights from behind you, be sure that you are off the road and safely parked. Safety should always be your type priority

Making adjustments while driving can easily lead to the very car accident you were trying to avoid. Should you be involved in a collision at night, make sure to move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road if possible, and turn your hazards on so that oncoming drivers can see you. As soon as you are safely able to, you need to contact an experienced California car accident attorney to discuss your case.

California Car Accident Attorney

If you are involved in a car accident in the Los Angeles area, it is vital that you contact a practiced accident attorney as soon as you possibly can. The Los Angeles Injury Group will work tirelessly to ensure that you recover any damages that you are entitled to. Navigating the legal system can be a complicated and exhausting endeavor, and we are here to make sure that you do not have to do it alone. For a free consultation with one of our accident attorneys, give us a call at (310) 954-7248 today.