As much as we don’t want to admit, winter has started to set in. With winter comes shorter days of sun (if we’re lucky) and longer periods of the day in dark. As a professional driver, or even someone commuting to and from work we all have a responsibility when we get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Night time, or dark, is when a large percentage of fatal accidents occur (50% as reported here).
Some tips to help drivers during these darker early morning and evening hours is to stay alert and watch out for other drivers. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings, especially if there are other erratic drivers in your lane, in oncoming traffic, or driving close to your vehicle. Idealease’s “Safety Tips for Driving at Night” explains further how to be safe at night-time driving by watching the Condition of Other Drivers:
Late in the evening and during the early morning hours is when you are most likely to meet fatigued or impaired drivers. Be alert for motorists that are driving aggressively or erratically during these times. Maintain a safe distance from these drivers and be prepared to stop. If a vehicle comes into your lane head-on, slow down and move your vehicle as far to the right as you can. Never take evasive action into an oncoming lane of traffic.
Other important tips include: utilize high beams at the appropriate times, watch your speed (even in familiar territory), keep windows clean, and stay off the road when tired or impaired.
For more tips, check out Idealease’s complete white paper.