Tips To Help Improve Your Vision When Driving At Night
The primary challenge of driving at night is reduced visibility. Human eyes rely on light to see, and even with streetlights, the road is much darker at night than during the day. This diminished light can make it difficult to see obstacles, read road signs, and judge distances accurately.
Additionally, the glare from oncoming headlights can momentarily blind drivers, causing dangerous situations. Nighttime driving also often involves increased fatigue, which can slow reaction times and impair judgment. However, there are a number of ways you can improve your vision while driving at night, including:
- Car upkeep
- Safe driving practices
- Eye health and vision aids
Let’s take a look at some discrete tips you can implement to help improve your vision and safety while driving at night, whether it is a city street or a curvy mountain road.
1. Keep Up Your Windshield And Headlights
A dirty windshield can scatter light, exacerbate glare, and make it harder to see. Our first tip is to make sure your windshield is clean both inside and out. Over time, the inside of the windscreen can develop a film from the off-gassing of car materials, so regular cleaning is necessary. Similarly, keep your side and rearview mirrors clean and properly adjusted. Dirty mirrors can also scatter light and reduce visibility.
Also, ensure that your headlights are clean and properly aligned. Misaligned headlights can fail to illuminate the road correctly and can blind oncoming drivers. Car headlights fog over time primarily due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which breaks down the polycarbonate plastic, causing it to become cloudy and discolored.
Cloudy car headlights are a significant problem because they reduce the amount of light emitted, impairing the driver's visibility and making it harder to see the road, obstacles, and traffic signs, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. If your headlights aren’t clear, schedule an appointment to get them professionally cleaned, or if you're the handy type, use an at-home kit.
2. Practice Safe Driving
Proper headlight use is crucial for nighttime driving. Use low beams in urban areas and when there is oncoming traffic, and switch to high beams on open roads or rural areas when there is no oncoming traffic. Be sure to switch back to low beams to avoid blinding other drivers. Additionally, using fog lights in poor visibility conditions can help illuminate the road directly in front of your vehicle.
At night, it can be more challenging to judge the speed and distance of other vehicles. To compensate for this, maintain a greater following distance than you would during the day. This additional space gives you more time to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic patterns. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least a three-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
Glare from oncoming headlights can be blinding and dangerous, especially if you have light sensitivity or astigmatism. To compensate for headlights or other bright lights, look slightly to the right of the oncoming lights and use the white line on the side of the road as a guide. This can help reduce the impact of the glare while keeping you oriented on the road.
3. Practice Good Eye Health And Use Vision Aids
One of the most important steps to improve your vision while driving at night is to ensure that your eyes are healthy. Regular eye check-ups can help detect any issues such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism that might affect your vision.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure that your prescription is up-to-date. Special lenses designed to reduce glare can also be beneficial. Anti-reflective coatings on glasses can minimize glare from oncoming headlights and streetlights, improving overall vision clarity.
Asheville Vision And Wellness, Your Eye Care Specialists
Improving your vision and safety while driving at night involves a combination of regular eye care, proper vehicle maintenance, and adopting safe driving practices. By taking proactive steps such as ensuring your eyesight is optimal, keeping your vehicle’s lights and mirrors clean, and using appropriate lighting, you can enhance your ability to see clearly at night.
For Buncombe and surrounding counties in North Carolina, Asheville Vision and Wellness has the expertise, respect, and technology you can trust with your vision.
Since 1989, our staff has served the area using the latest science and medical treatments to keep your vision healthy. Our optometrists are certified in diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular disease with examinations customized just for your unique eye-care needs. We accept a wide variety of insurance plans and payment options.
If you have concerns about your eyesight in low light conditions while driving, or are overdue for an annual checkup, schedule an appointment online or call us at (828) 747-9260.