What Should You Pay Attention to When Driving at Night?
3 Answers
Precautions for night driving are as follows: 1. Pay attention to non-motor vehicles on the right side during encounters: When encountering oncoming vehicles at night, avoid panicking, repeatedly stepping on the brake pedal, or swerving to the right. Be mindful of pedestrians and bicycles on the right side. When the distance to the oncoming vehicle is 150 meters, switch from high beam to low beam. This is not only a courtesy but also ensures driving safety. If the oncoming vehicle does not switch to low beam, immediately reduce speed and use continuous switching between high and low beams to signal them. If the other party still does not change and the glare makes it difficult to see the road, pull over and stop—never retaliate by using high beams. 2. Control your speed: Traffic flow is lighter at night, and interference from pedestrians and bicycles is relatively less, making it easier for drivers to speed, which can lead to accidents. When transitioning from bright to dark areas, the eyes need time to adjust, so reduce speed accordingly. Be especially cautious when approaching curves, slopes, bridges, narrow roads, or areas with poor visibility, and be prepared to brake or stop at any time. When driving through bustling streets, neon lights and other illumination can affect visibility, so maintain a low speed. In adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or fog, drive slowly and carefully. 3. Increase following distance: At night, drivers have limited visibility and often encounter dangerous or emergency situations. Therefore, always be ready to stop. To avoid collisions, increase the following distance appropriately. 4. Avoid overtaking when possible: Before overtaking, check if there are obstacles on the right side of the vehicle being overtaken to prevent it from swerving left to avoid obstacles and causing a collision. If overtaking is necessary, first use continuous high-low beam signals to alert the vehicle ahead. Only proceed with overtaking after confirming it is safe. 5. Combat driving fatigue: Night driving, especially after midnight, is most prone to fatigue and drowsiness. Additionally, the lack of roadside scenery reduces stimulation for drivers, increasing the likelihood of fatigue. Frequently switching between high and low beams can help alert other vehicles and alleviate visual fatigue. If too tired, pull over to rest instead of forcing yourself to drive through the night. 6. Accurately judge road conditions: Generally, if the vehicle slows down automatically and the engine sound becomes muffled, it indicates increased resistance, suggesting the car is climbing a slope or driving on soft ground. If the vehicle speeds up automatically and the engine sound becomes lighter, resistance has decreased, indicating a downhill slope. On moonless nights, the road appears gray-black, while areas beyond the road are pitch black. Puddles appear brighter, while depressions look darker. Experienced drivers follow the rule of "staying on gray, avoiding black." Also, learn to judge terrain changes based on headlight beam variations—shorter beams may indicate curves or uphill roads, longer beams may suggest downhill slopes, and gaps in the beam could mean potholes. 7. Prepare emergency lights: Besides standard items like spare tires, jacks, and wrenches, carry lighting equipment such as emergency lights and warning signs for sudden stops. In case of a breakdown, these can help create a safe zone around your vehicle.
I've been driving at night for many years, and the top priority for nighttime driving is light management. Always keep your headlights on bright, but avoid using high beams when facing oncoming traffic to prevent blinding others. Speed control is crucial—don't exceed the limit, as limited visibility increases the risk of hitting suddenly appearing pedestrians or animals. Visual fatigue is a major enemy; avoid continuous driving for more than two hours—take a break to stretch or drink coffee to stay alert. Clean your windshield to prevent dirt from obstructing your view, and dim your rearview mirror to reduce glare. Additionally, check your vehicle's condition, such as tires and brake systems, to ensure they're functioning properly. Slow down and use fog lights in rainy or foggy conditions. Plan your route to avoid unfamiliar or remote roads, and avoid placing glowing devices inside the car that could distract you. Stay focused on driving for safety.
As a new driver, my biggest fear when driving at night is poor visibility. I remind myself to always keep the headlights on, especially switching from high beams to low beams on city streets to avoid disturbing other drivers; controlling speed is essential, maintaining about 10 km/h below the speed limit to allow longer reaction time; eye fatigue is annoying, so I take regular breaks by closing my eyes briefly or letting my companion drive for a while; with unpredictable road conditions like animals or children suddenly appearing, I scan the rearview mirrors more often instead of staring ahead too long. Keeping the windows clean ensures clear visibility of reflective strips, and I turn up the navigation voice volume to avoid looking down at the screen; I choose gas stations or safe areas for rest stops to walk around and stretch my legs.
