Safe driving at night
- Give your eyes some time to adjust to the light and shadows.
- Tilt your rear view mirror slightly to reduce the dazzling effect of the car headlights behind you. If your rear view mirror has the option, switch to night setting.
- Don't look directly at the headlights from cars travelling in the opposite direction.
- Don’t drive too fast: visibility is reduced at night, making it hard for you to see the road ahead.
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FAQ
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Reduce your speed: reduced visibility means you need more time to identify and react to hazards—your headlights only illuminate a limited distance
Use high beams when safe: switch to low beams when you see oncoming traffic or are following another vehicle closely
Manage glare: tilt your rearview mirror to reduce glare from headlights behind you; don't stare directly at oncoming headlights
Clean your windshield: interior haze and external film dramatically worsen glare at night
Take breaks on long drives: fatigue is significantly more dangerous at night when there are fewer visual cues to keep you alert
At night, your margin for error shrinks dramatically—visibility is reduced, reaction time is compressed, and many hazards (pedestrians, animals, debris) appear with less warning. In those moments, the quality and condition of your tires determine how quickly your vehicle can stop or change direction. A worn tire on a wet night road can mean the difference between stopping in time and not. Tires that are properly inflated, with adequate tread depth and the right compound for the temperature, are a foundational safety investment for any night driving scenario.
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