What issues should be paid attention to when driving at night?
4 Answers
Issues to be aware of when driving at night: 1. When driving at night, if the speed is below 30 kilometers per hour, low beams should be used. Under normal circumstances, the lights can illuminate more than 30 meters ahead; 2. When passing through an intersection, reduce speed 50 to 100 meters before the intersection, switch from high beams to low beams, and turn on the turn signal to indicate the direction of travel; 3. Do not look directly at the oncoming vehicle when meeting on roads without a median. When driving at night and the oncoming vehicle is within 150 meters, switch from high beams to low beams to avoid obstructing the view of the opposite driver. If the other party does not switch to low beams, immediately reduce speed and repeatedly switch between high and low beams to signal. If the other party still does not change, slow down and pull over to the right to yield, avoiding a confrontation with high beams, which could impair both drivers' vision and lead to an accident.
I've been driving at night for over a decade, and the most important thing is to stay alert and avoid fatigued driving. Around 2 AM is when drowsiness hits hardest, so it's best to plan rest stops in advance and have some coffee. Speed control is more crucial than during daytime, especially with sudden animal crossings on rural roads - last time I nearly hit a wild boar. On highways, make good use of the central divider to block opposing headlights; without it, I'd be completely blinded. Also remember to turn on high beams early to spot road signs, but switch to low beams when seeing oncoming traffic - don't be that annoying high-beam driver. Finally, keeping a flashlight in the trunk is really handy for tire emergencies.
I place great emphasis on nighttime driving safety. The windows must be wiped clean and shiny; otherwise, the scattered light can cause eye strain after prolonged driving. Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial, as it's harder to see sudden braking from the car ahead at night—I usually keep a three-second gap. Dimming the dashboard lights helps prevent excessive brightness inside the car from affecting visibility. Don’t rely too much on navigation voice prompts; in complex road conditions, it’s best to glance at road signs to confirm directions. The glare from the rearview mirror can be extremely annoying—try an anti-glare mirror; it works wonders. In foggy conditions, I absolutely avoid parking by the roadside, as it’s too easy to get rear-ended.
Personal experience shows that sudden light changes at night are the most daunting. When entering a tunnel from a bright area, the eyes need time to adjust, so slowing down in advance is the safest approach. During heavy rain, immediately turn on fog lights and hazard lights, as low beams may not provide sufficient visibility. Remember to regularly check headlight brightness; last time at the 4S shop, a technician taught me to adjust headlight height using a white wall. On roads with heavy traffic, minimize lane changes—blind spots become twice as risky when visibility is poor at night. After driving for more than three hours, switch drivers or take a break; staring at bright spots for too long can cause eye strain.
