NIGHTTIME DRIVING - HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT

The biggest difference between driving at night and driving during the day is the difference in visibility. Quite obviously when driving at night your ability to see ahead, and the ability of other road users to see you, is reduced.

Most urban roads are lighted. Move away from an urban centre, even on to a ring road and you will find that a majority of roads have no lighting other than cats eyes - reflective studs which mark the centre of the road.

The first rule of driving on roads that have no lighting is - never drive at a speed where you would be unable to stop within the distance your headlights show to be clear.

The lights on a car have two purposes: they help you see at night and they help other road users see you. You don't have to wait for the night time before you turn on your car lights or for that matter until the street lights come on. If light levels dip, whatever time of day, then turn on your lights. It is certainly wise to have your lights on a dusk approaches.

Your headlights have two setting: dip and full beam. When driving at night on lit roads you should have your headlights switched to dip.

When driving on unlit roads and when no other traffic can be seen ahead of you, you should turn your headlights on full beam. When you see a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist approaching you must turn the headlights to dip. Remember the Highway Code states - use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Once the other road user has passed return to full beam.

Overtaking another vehicle whilst driving at night can prove a risky endeavor. Remember your view ahead will be limited by the darkness. Bends and dips in the road can be cloaked in darkness. These can easily hide other road users whether cars or pedestrians. Never takes risks. be certain that the road ahead is clear. Once you have drawn level with the vehicle your are overtaking switch your headlights to full beam. If a driver overtakes you then keep your headlights on full beam until they are level with you. The extra light will help them overtake you safely.

Car lights need to be cleaned regularly. Light covers that are covered in grime can prove to be ineffective. You will find it harder to see the road and other road users will find it harder to see you.

One of the biggest night time hazards is dazzle. For newly qualified drivers driving at night for the first few times can be quite a shock to the system especially in busy traffic on unlit roads. During the day light is pretty well evenly distributed but at night intense light sources cut through the black making it hard on your eyes and sometimes even acting to disorientate you. This light also causes dazzle. To avoid dazzle:

Never stare at oncoming headlights. Place your gaze slightly to the left-hand side of the road. If you are having difficulty seeing ahead then pull over and stop.

Clean your windscreen regularly and make sure you have a good windscreen washer concentrate in your windscreen washer reservoir. A clean windscreen will reduce dazzle.

Try and anticipate when your vision may be reduced by oncoming headlights. If you think you're likely to be dazzled then slow down.

Headlights reflected in a rear view mirror can cause dazzle. If this happens then adjust the mirror so that the dazzle is reduced.

Driving at night is a skill that needs to be learnt. As learner drivers you are not required to have lessons in nighttime driving however, for safety's sake, you may find it useful to ask your instructor for a few nighttime lessons just be sure.