As we move into the fall, with winter not far behind, it’s time we remind ourselves about adjusting to darker roadways and landscapes that can hide objects from sight while driving.
Shorter days of autumn mean dark driving. We are driving more at dawn and dusk than we have been accustomed to during the spring and summer. The direction you’re driving, and the rising and setting of the sun can be a challenge. We’ve got some helpful tips and tools to keep you as safe as possible.been
- Make sure you have a clean windshield – inside and out
- Flip that visor down and maybe add a visor extender. Blocking the sun itself is half the battle
- Invest in polarized sunglasses to cut the glare
- Be an engaged driver and remain aware of what’s going on around you
Dusk can be the most dangerous time to be on the road. While your eyes adjust to changing light, you could also be fatigued if you’ve been driving all day. Darkening skies can cause drowsiness, so if you feel tired, it may be time to pull over and rest. In addition to the above, here are some key dusk driving tips to use.
- Turn on your headlights if you don’t already have running lights on. This helps you see and be seen by others around you
- Eliminate distractions. After a long day, you may be tempted to check your phone or eat while driving. Just don’t. It’s safer to use that time you pulled over to grab a snack and check your phone while parked
- When in more rural areas, be sure to scan your vision beyond the roadway. Animals get very active at dusk, and they can cause tremendous damage in the unfortunate instances when you cannot avoid them
When Darkness Falls
Once you get through the glare of the setting sun, it gets even more challenging. Dark driving is hard on the eyes. You may be strained from the setting sun. Once dark, peripheral vision is very limited. And lighting that is meant to help you see better can be harsh when its coming at you from oncoming traffic. Tips to keep in mind while dark driving:
- Manage your high and low beams, giving you the best visibility while not shining your headlights at oncoming traffic
- Maintain your speed. Later at night with less traffic, you may tend to get a heavy foot, but that extra speed will make you less responsive
- Later in winter, what may have been wet roads during the day can get icy when the sun – and temps – go down. Pay attention to temperatures and road conditions
- Slow down in construction zones. Many times, roadwork is done “3rd shift” when there is less congestion. Maintain posted construction zone speeds and stay alert to moving equipment and workers
Accessories to help
While not solutions by any means, it can be helpful to have the right accessories and tools in place for this coming season of dark driving. To stay safe on darkening roadways, be sure your rig is equipped for the all of the obstacles you may encounter.
- Sun visor extenders
- Glare guards or night driving glasses with anti-glare coating
- Vehicle marker lighting to help you be seen by others
- Upgrade oxidized headlights with bright white halogen or LED assemblies to extend your visibility both in front and to the side of you
- Grille guards for protecting your investment in the unfortunate run in with wildlife
Visit shop.bergeystruck.com or stop in any one of our full-service truck centers or retail parts stores throughout PA, NJ, DE and MD.