Driving at night is a bit trickier than driving during daytime hours in California. This is because visibility is decreased, and some people find it harder to drive at night. Here are a few tips for safer night driving to keep in mind before getting behind the wheel.
Keep Windshield Clean
Before you even get into the car, make sure your mirrors and your windshield are clean. Since the darkness already reduces your visibility, you want to make sure you have a good view without a layer of dirt obstructing your vision.
Clean the inside and the outside of the windshield. This can also help when it comes time to drive in foggy conditions as well.
Check Windshield Wipers
Next, check your windshield wipers. This is important to do even if it isn’t raining outside. At any time during your drive, another vehicle can spray debris onto your windshield, and you will need your windshield wipers to clean it away.
Check the Headlights
Now make sure your headlights and taillights are working. Even a thin layer of mud can significantly dim your lights. If you have older headlights with plastic components, you may find that they become yellow or get clouded over. Do what you can to clean the headlights and get them shining again.
Keep the Lights On
When driving, be sure to keep your headlights on at all times. Some drivers wait too long to turn their headlights on. The experts say it is best to turn them on at least one-half hour before dusk.
You should also have them on in the case of stormy weather and fog to help improve visibility for yourself and the other drivers sharing the roadway. Make sure to review the headlight use laws for your state.
Be Alert
No matter what time of the day you are driving, you need to be focused and alert. Be aware of any obstacles in your way or pedestrians that may be crossing your path. If pedestrians are wearing darker clothing, it can be much harder to see them. Animals can also dart out in front of the car. Always be alert.
Slow Down
Visibility is decreased when driving at night, which means you should slow down a bit to compensate for this. Lower visibility can mean reduced reaction time. When you drive slower, you are giving yourself more time to react to different situations that can arise, and it puts more space between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
Find the Right Insurance
No matter what, you should have the right car insurance coverage on board as well. Even if you follow the tips and advice we have outlined here, accidents do still happen in California. It is up to us to ensure we have the right coverage in place to be more prepared for the unexpected.
If you are looking for a new car insurance policy or aren’t sure of what kind of coverage you should have, contact the experts at Panorama today. They can walk you through the available options and help make sure you are covered for whatever the world might throw at you.
