Driving at night in Baltimore, MD is no less dangerous than daytime driving, despite potentially fewer cars on the road. Night driving has its own unique set of challenges that drivers must overcome to maximize their safety. Here are some tips that will help keep you and your passengers away from harm.
Fight Drowsiness
When you’ve been up all day and then continue to drive well into the night, your fatigue increases, which can often cause a loss in the ability to concentrate on the road. You can keep yourself alert and awake by drinking a caffeinated beverage, rolling down the windows to let the wind hit your face, or getting some quick rest after you pull off from the road. Turning up the volume on some energetic music or loudly talking to yourself may also help stave off sleepiness.
If you find yourself nodding off at the wheel, it’s best to realize it’s not worth the risk to continue driving. You can always get some sleep at a nearby motel or rest stop.
Keep on the Lookout for Impaired Drivers
Unfortunately, as the sun sets, there’s a higher chance of impaired drivers on the road. Luckily, there are easy ways to spot someone driving under the influence. The impaired driver will often swerve and brake erratically or drift out of their lane. They also tend to react slowly to traffic lights and signs or even neglect to turn on their headlights.
If you spot an impaired driver, then make sure to keep a safe distance behind them and take an alternative route if you can. You can also take note of the driver’s license plate and contact law enforcement to handle the matter, but only if you’re confident that it’s safe to do so.
Drive at a Slower Speed
Low light means low visibility, which takes away from available time to react in an emergency, especially if you’re speeding. If you’re feeling tired, your reaction time will also be slower. By slowing down your speed at night, you’ll give yourself valuable time to avoid a potential collision.
Maintain Good Visibility
Ensuring maximum visibility from your driver’s seat is a big help when the streets lack sufficient illumination at night. You can do this by checking your headlights to see that they’re functioning correctly. Dirty windshields can increase glare and disorient you by scattering light, so keep it clean and clear before heading out. You’ll also want to readjust your rear-view mirror to reduce the reflection of harsh light from vehicles behind you.
Make Proper Use of Your High Beams
By using your high beams to light up incredibly dark roads, you can significantly increase the distance that you’re able to see. However, you’ll want to avoid becoming a hazard to other drivers by turning them off when following another vehicle or when you’re 500 feet or fewer away from an oncoming vehicle. Many modern cars feature an automatic high beam system that will flick on and shut off when appropriate.
At DARCARS Toyota of Baltimore, we’re your local source for all things auto safety. Our service technicians are available to run safety inspections to ensure your vehicle is equipped for driving at night. Schedule your service appointment with us now; we look forward to serving you soon!
Connect with us
