Driving at night comes with man challenging situations you can’t avoid. In this post by Vaughan Distributing in Jackson, WY, we’ll go over a few ways to help you get to your destination safely while driving at night.  

Avoid Driving When Tired

One thing that is essential to make driving at night safer is to avoid fatigue. Similar to driving drunk, fatigue has symptoms like lowering your reaction times, making you space out, and decreasing your awareness. A few ways to avoid driving tired are:

• Stopping to stretch and walk around.
• Drinking caffeinated beverages, and having energizing snacks.
• Avoiding snacks and drinks with a lot of sugar or large meals as these can make you feel more tired.
• Stopping to sleep if you feel like you’re dozing off or handing over the car to another driver that feels better rested.

Remember that falling asleep at the wheel can be very dangerous to you and others on the road, so make sure to assess how tired you feel before leaving for your destination.

Test Your Lights Before Leaving

The lights on your car are an essential safety feature when driving at night. Before you leave, you must ensure that your tail and brake lights, headlights, and turn signals are in good working condition. One thing to consider is that because of dirt and pollution, headlights can become opaque, making them appear less bright, so it’s important to keep them clean to prevent them from becoming dim. If you plan on driving at nighttime frequently, ask your mechanic to reposition your headlights to point a bit more downward than usual, which can help you see the road better. Also, while driving in the dark, adjust your dashboard light to a more comfortable level as this can help you see better at night.

Taking a few extra precautions can make it less dangerous when driving at night. Keep your engine in good shape with products like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. Visit Vaughan Distributing for the top-shelf products for better vehicle performance. Visit their online store for more information or call them at (307) 413-6480.

Two-Lane Highways vs. Interstates

Driving at night is challenging enough, but one sure way of upping the risk level is taking two-lane highways instead of interstates. Two-lane highways are much more dangerous because the lights on oncoming traffic make it harder to see the road ahead. Driving down an interstate offers separation between you and incoming traffic, which can prevent many head-on crashes, one of the most dangerous types of car crashes.

Look Out for Wildlife

When driving in rural areas, it’s essential to look out for wildlife near or on the road. In some regions, wildlife tends to be more active at night when noise from cars and other vehicles is at its lowest; that’s why it’s vital to look out for them at night. One example of this is deer collisions that can be deadly for animals, drivers, and passengers. An excellent way to spot wildlife is by using your high beams. These reflect their eyes and help you avoid running them over or colliding. If you do spot a pair of eyes on the road or on the side, slow down to a stop and use your emergency lights so other drivers can slow down as well. Once the animal is safely off the road, you can resume your drive.

One sure way to keep your engine running is to use the best products for it. The oil experts at  Vaughan Distributing can help you out. Call them at (307) 413-6480 or visit their online store to see their full range of products.

Using Highbeams on the Road

High beams are not only helpful to sport wildlife in the dark, but they can also be helpful on open roads or rural areas where your only light source is your headlights. Remember when driving down a dark road that your high beams could blind oncoming traffic, so as a courtesy, lower them if you encounter other vehicles.

Defensive Driving Tips

Lastly, practicing defensive driving can help put you out of harm’s way. Some ways to practice defensive driving are to scan the road to find issues, share the road, and leave space between you and other drivers. These, among other techniques, are taught at defensive driving courses and can help you be a much better driver and stay safe on the road.

Keep your vehicle in good condition with the best products. Call Vaughan Distributing at (307) 413-6480 to talk to a friendly oil today!