| Night driving is responsible for thousands of | | | | It goes without saying that you always should |
| accidents a year, and many of the UK's road | | | | drive slower at night. A good rule of thumb is to |
| deaths. Here is a quick and straight-forward guide | | | | never drive beyond your range of vision - that is, |
| to making sure that your after-dark journey does | | | | you should be able to stop under within the length |
| not end in disaster. | | | | of road illuminated by your headlights. Therefore, |
| Why is night driving dangerous? | | | | if you are driving with low or dipped beams you |
| Because there are fewer cars on the road at | | | | must reduce your speed commensurably. |
| night there are fewer accidents after dark than | | | | Following distances should also be increased, and |
| during the day. However, the proportion of | | | | the car ahead should be kept in the far limit of |
| fatalities caused by night driving is much higher. | | | | light from a dipped beam. |
| According to the AA, the main causes of these | | | | Don't blind other drivers |
| night accidents are tiredness, inattention, driving | | | | Always dip your headlights before an approaching |
| whilst under the influence and reduced visibility. | | | | car comes within range. If the other driver fails to |
| Darkness also means depth perception is reduced, | | | | realize you are approaching, flick the beam back |
| which can cause impaired judgment and delayed | | | | to high for an instant before dipping it again. Do |
| reflex actions. | | | | not keep the high beam on - having two blinded |
| How do our eyes work at night? | | | | drivers instead of one just doubles the risk. When |
| When you walk out of a brightly-lit place, such as | | | | approaching a car traveling in the opposite |
| your own living room, it can take up to 30 | | | | direction on a right-hand bend, remember to dip |
| minutes before your eyes start working at even | | | | the beam early. Otherwise it will sweep across |
| 80 per cent efficiency again. It can take double | | | | the curve and blind the other driver. Conversely, |
| that for your night vision to be at its best. | | | | on a left-hand turn your headlights shine away |
| Approximately one in five adults has defective | | | | from approaching traffic. However, it is good road |
| vision - from mild short-sightedness to | | | | manners to always dip your lights when another |
| night-blindness. Motorist who find night driving a | | | | motorist approaches. |
| severe strain on their eyes should consult a | | | | Make sure your headlights point the right way |
| doctor or optician, and consider avoiding night | | | | Headlights should be adjusted periodically, |
| driving all together. | | | | especially when your car is loaded more heavily |
| Busy eyes see better | | | | than usual - this adjustment can be done at a |
| When you are driving at night, try not to focus at | | | | garage. Having passengers in the back seat or |
| a single distance because this increases eye | | | | heavy items in the boot can cause a dipped beam |
| fatigue. Instead glance around at different | | | | to shine too far ahead. This has the double |
| distances and focus on objects on the edge of | | | | disadvantage of dazzling oncoming drivers and |
| your headlight beam. A poorly-lit object is easiest | | | | failing to properly light the road. Always |
| to see if you focus slightly to one side of it - | | | | remember to reconfigure the beams when driving |
| peripheral vision is less affected by poor light than | | | | with a normal load again. Likewise, always adjust |
| central vision. | | | | your tyre pressure before loading your car |
| Reduce your speed | | | | before holiday traveling. |