What Should Novices Pay Attention to When Driving at Night?
2 Answers
Novice drivers should pay attention to maintaining a safe distance, reducing speed, using lights correctly, avoiding overtaking as much as possible, refusing to drive while fatigued, and staying away from large vehicles when driving at night. Due to poor visibility and the higher likelihood of unexpected situations at night, traffic accidents are more prone to occur. Therefore, drivers should increase the distance between vehicles as much as possible while staying focused and handling traffic situations safely. On non-closed roads, overtaking is a dangerous action, so drivers should avoid overtaking whenever possible. Use lights reasonably and correctly, generally based on the timing of streetlights turning on and off. Start with low beam headlights at night, and use low beams on well-lit streets after starting. On poorly lit or unlit streets with sparse traffic, use low beams when driving slowly and switch to high beams when driving at higher speeds.
I've been driving for over a decade and have extensive experience with night driving for beginners. First, ensure all lights are functioning properly—avoid using high beams indiscriminately to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Reduce speed to 80% of your daytime pace, as visibility is poorer and reaction times slower at night. Fatigue is a silent killer; don't push beyond two hours without a break—pack some snacks like nuts to stay alert. Watch for wildlife and pedestrian zones; I once nearly hit a fox driving through the countryside. Use voice-guided navigation to minimize glancing at screens. Increase following distance to 1.5 times your daytime gap, and be extra cautious during rainy nights. Practice turning and reversing in the dark, and familiarize yourself with local night routes. Keep a small flashlight in the car for emergencies, and check tire pressure and windshield clarity before setting off. Mastering these habits makes night driving much safer.
