Driving at night is more of a challenge, and dangerous, than many people think.

According to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. However, many of us are unaware of night driving special hazards and don't know effective ways to deal with them.

Why is night driving so dangerous?

One obvious answer is darkness.
Ninety percent of a driver's reaction depends on vision, and vision is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown.  Older drivers have even greater difficulties driving at night.

Another factor adding danger to night driving is fatigue. Drowsiness makes driving more difficult by dulling concentration and slowing reaction time.

Alcohol is a primary factor in fatal traffic crashes, playing a part in about half of all motor vehicle-related deaths. That makes weekend nights more dangerous. More fatal crashes take place on weekend nights than at any other time in the week.

Fortunately, there are many ways in decreasing your risk of collision :

1. Prepare your car for night driving. Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows (inside and out).  Have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
   
   
2. Don’t drink and drive, avoid smoking too!
   
   
3. Turn your headlights on.  Being seen is the best way to see.
   
   
4. Reduce your speed and increase your following distances.
   
   
5. Don't overdrive your headlights.
   
   
6. When following another vehicle, keep your headlights on low beams so you don't blind the driver ahead of you. If an oncoming vehicle doesn't lower beams from high to low, avoid glare by watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
   
   
7. Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

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Be conscious of potholes in the pavement.  Snow and freezing rain along with salt from winter storms tend to erode pavement, causing hazardous potholes.

Have your antifreeze tested. It prevents your coolant from boiling in the summer.

Give your vehicle a hand car wash.  Not only will this remove winter residue from your car, which can eat away paint, it is a good opportunity for you to check for chips in your paint and/or windows.

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KEEP YOUR BATTERY CHARGED THIS WINTER

Have  your battery and charging system inspected yearly. 

Before replacing a battery, check the battery, electrical and vehicle-charging system for problems. Signs of a weak battery are slow engine cranking, dim headlights and illumination of the battery/charging system warning light.

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