With winter just around the corner, the days are getting shorter and shorter. As a result, many Georgia residents, yourself included, may end up getting home well after dark most days. Whether you are leaving the office at quitting time or need to run out for errands or shopping, you may find yourself on dark roads more often than you anticipate.
While driving at night is certainly something that people do often, it is a time when accidents are more likely to happen. After all, visibility is limited, and numerous factors need to be taken into consideration with nighttime driving that are not usually issues during the day.
How can you stay safe?
While the best way to stay safe when it comes to night driving is to not be on the roads at night, that is not always a feasible option. Fortunately, you could practice any of the following safety tips to help increase your chances of making it to your destinations safely:
- Avoid driving while fatigued.
- Make sure your windshield and headlights are clean to ensure maximum visibility.
- Try to avoid two-lane roads and stick to well-lit highways when possible.
- Watch out for deer and other wildlife that are typically more active at night.
- Make sure all of your lights are working properly.
- Ensure that your vision is optimal for night driving. Getting an eye exam annually could help keep you confident that your eyesight will not cause you any problems driving at night.
- Dim your interior lights to avoid distracting glare from inside your vehicle.
Remaining alert is one of the biggest ways to help yourself avoid hazards while driving at night. Unexpected events can happen on the roadway at any time, but when you avoid distraction and do your best to expect the unexpected, you may have a greater chance of safe travels.
When the unexpected happens
Unfortunately, even if you stay extra vigilant about safety when driving at night, other drivers may not be thoughtful of their actions. As a result, it is all too easy for another driver to cause an accident that leaves you seriously injured. If this happens, you may have reason to file a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault in hopes of obtaining compensation for damages permitted under state law.
