Improve your vision and drive more safely at night with these 9 hacks
Daylight saving time came and went, and that means more driving after dark. The fact that we lost an hour of daylight in the fall may sound insignificant, but the end of daylight saving time could result in a 16% increase in deer collisions. according to a 2022 study. An increase in fatal car accidents after the end of daylight saving time was also observed in a published medical study from 1995 that assessed data between 1987 and 1991.
With the extra hour of darkness during travel time, we need to adjust our habits to improve our ability to see at night. Find out why driving at night can be dangerous and how you can see better and drive more safely at night.
Why driving in the dark is more difficult
Simply put, it’s harder to see in low light. Other problems make matters worse, such as glare from headlights and cabin lights.
In the US, newer vehicles have brighter headlights, which create more glare afterimages. Technology such as LED lights and laser emitters make driving on the road at night look like a flash attack.
Some drivers inherently have more difficulty adapting to low light conditions, such as older people and everyone with vision problems such as myopia, astigmatism or glaucoma.
9 tips for safer driving at night
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to reduce vision problems while driving at night.
Keep your windshield clean to reduce glare
Glare can increase if your windshield is dirty because dirt scatters light. Certain treatments, such as rain repellent, can also increase glare on your windshield at night. Keep your windshield as clear as possible to reduce glare and improve visibility. says AAA a dirty windshield can also limit or obscure your field of vision, and it is recommended that you clean your windshield at least once a week.
Keep your headlights clean
The Mayo Clinic says you can also help increase visibility by making sure your headlights are free of dirt and debris. Checking for clean headlights is especially important if you live in a dusty region or are in an area where insects are often hit.
Use high beam if necessary
Make sure you use your high beams on rural roads near woods or fields, and if the National Security Council advises, on longer or wider stretches of road. High beams can help you see deer in these cases, but avoid using high beams in bad weather, such as rain or fog, as they can reduce visibility. Turn off your high beams when climbing hills or cornering to avoid shining the high beams into the eyes of other drivers.
Do not look directly into the headlights of oncoming traffic
It may be instinctive to look directly at a flash of oncoming headlights coming over the hill or around the corner, but practice averting your gaze. Looking into bright headlights can temporarily impair your vision and also cause afterimages, making it more difficult to see once the vehicle has passed.
Check headlight alignment during car inspections
The Mayo Clinic also recommends working with your mechanic to ensure the headlights are aimed correctly. Wear and tear on your car can cause misalignment, and some cars are manufactured with misaligned headlights. U.S. law does not require manufacturers to test alignment after headlights are installed. according to NBC News. The result can be devastating glare for other nighttime drivers, plus reduced visibility for you.
Dim your indoor lighting
The interior lighting should always be switched off or dimmed when driving at night. They cause your eyes to become more accustomed to light, which can reduce your night vision (usually our eyes). takes a few minutes to adjust to darkness). If your interior lights are on to help you (or a passenger) see something in your car, it can add to the existing distraction. Interior lighting is also an additional light source that reflects through your windshield.
Keep your glasses clean
Just like dirt on a windshield, smudges on your glasses can scatter light and cause glare problems. Make sure you clean your glasses thoroughly, using an eyeglass cloth, warm water or a mild dish soap without moisturizer. according to Heartland Optical. Wiping your glasses on your shirt may be a common practice, but it can also cause additional dirt and scratches on the lenses, further clouding vision.
Read more: Best Places to Buy Eyeglasses Online
Wear the right glasses
Keep up with your optometrist appointments so that your doctor can confirm that you are carrying the correct prescription. You can also look at it anti-reflective lensesthat have a coating that reduces reflected light. Avoid glasses styles that obstruct peripheral vision.
Other options include night driving glasseswhich usually have yellow lenses designed to reduce glare from headlights. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using them; some professionals think so worsen your night vision instead of better.
Read more: Are you squinting now? It’s time to get your vision checked
Keep yourself alert while driving
Even small time changes can cause us to experience jet lag. Daylight saving time can disrupt your circadian rhythm (the internal clock that tells you when to go to bed and when to stay up), according to Northwestern Medicineand being tired can lead to blurred vision.
Adjusting to the end of daylight saving time can help you be more alert while driving. Check out our guide to recalibrating your internal alarm clock.
