During the fall and winter months, you’ll be doing a lot more driving in the dark as you go to and from work. Less sunlight means more potential driving hazards. Stay safe with these 5 tips for night driving in Massachusetts.
1 – Use Your Headlights Correctly
Headlights are one of the most important features of your car when driving at night. Not only do they help you see where you are going, but they also allow others to see you. Make sure your headlights are working and are pointed at the right angle. Avoid using high beams in the presence of other vehicles, no matter how far away they may be. Working headlights and proper high beam usage can help avoid accidents.
2 – Don’t Text and Drive
It’s the law in Massachusetts! However, it’s still very common to see folks texting and driving. At night, taking your eyes off the road for even a second could jeopardize your safety. With darkness, you have very little time to react to dangers. Looking away from the road to check your phone may make you miss the small window of opportunity to avoid a serious accident.
3 – Stay Awake
A long day at work may make you tired,… and driving at night doesn’t help. Your body naturally wants to sleep when it’s dark. Therefore, you are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel. If you think you may fall asleep, play it safe and don’t get behind the wheel. If you are simply drowsy, take measures to stay alert. This may include grabbing a cup of coffee, keeping the windows down to feel the cool air, stopping for a stretch, or singing along to music.
4 – Keep Windows Clean
Another of our top tips for driving at night is to keep your windows clean. During nighttime driving, headlights from other vehicles shining on your windshield will illuminate dirt and streaks, making it more difficult to see. Sure, you can use your wipers to clean the exterior of the windshield, but what about the interior? Be sure to clean them regularly to make your vehicle safer for nighttime driving.
5 – Be Prepared for an Emergency
Having your car break down on the side of the road is always dangerous, but it is particularly so at night. As others vehicles pass by, will they clearly see you in time to avoid an accident? You warn other drivers by placing road flares or a reflective sign near your car. This should be part of your in-car emergency it. Other useful items to include are a flashlight, water, a multi-function tool, first aid kit, blanket, etc.
Summary of Tips for Night Driving in Massachusetts
By recognizing that nighttime driving is a little more dangerous, you can take steps to improve safety. Whether it’s with a safety kit in your car or changing some of your driving practices, you have direct control over your own safety. We hope that these tips for night driving in Massachusetts will help you stay safe on the road!
