Night driving can be demanding, even exhausting, due to the reduction in sight and the possible dangers that can be found on the road. Other drivers may also have difficulty seeing, which can become a problem for you. The roads during the night hours do tend to be less travelled, though, thus you might enjoy more autonomy.

There are a few things you can do to ensure safe driving at night. You can clean your headlights and test them for working order. A legal requirement for driving at night is to have sidelights and number plate lights. When checking your headlamps it is necessary to check for proper alignment. You do not want to blind or annoy other drivers on the road. It is best to have a professional car mechanic check the alignment.

If you are driving with a heavy load in the rear or boot of your car you also may find that your headlights are pointing too high up. Once again this can prove distracting to other drivers, however it can normally be fixed by moving your headlight angle adjustment switch inside the cockpit.

Your vehicle lights should be turned on when the street lights are on. During grey days or unfavourable weather you should have your headlamps on. Any time there is a low light it is a good idea to have your headlamps on. Dark coloured vehicles can be more difficult to see by others; therefore your lights can help make other drivers be aware that you are on the road.

Only when you encounter unlit streets should you use your high beam headlights. At all other times you should use the lower setting. Your main beam headlights can be a problem for other drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists, so if you are using them you will need to turn them off as you approach them.

Anytime you follow another vehicle the dipped beam head lights need to be used. When you feel you need to pass another vehicle be aware that your sight can be reduced and illusions can be created by shadows. Dips or curves in the road can be particularly difficult as you pass another vehicle.

Oncoming lights can be dangerous, as they affect how you can see. There are things you can do to avoid this experience. Rather than looking directly at the light as you are wont to do you should instead look to the left of the lights.

Dirt, road grime, or grease on your windscreen may create an optical illusion that is both dangerous and annoying. Chips and cracks can change the refraction of the light as well. It is best to change your rear view mirror to night driving setting, in order to lessen the impact of other vehicles behind you. You also need to consider when you might need to slow down on a bend or at a junction as lights may affect you.

You should not be afraid of driving at night, but instead enjoy the uncongested roads and the feel of freedom.

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