Tips for Driving a Car at Night Safely and Comfortably

Driving at night is different from driving during the day. The lack of lighting can limit visibility and slow the driver's reaction time. Therefore, you must be more focused and highly alert when driving at night.

Roads that are usually quiet at night can make some people less vigilant, reducing their focus and alertness.

On the other hand, some drivers get excited about the empty roads and tend to drive at high speeds, ignoring traffic signs. This is, of course, very dangerous and increases the risk of accidents.

Another factor that increases the risk of driving at night is the general fatigue of the driver after a full day of work. This decrease in energy and focus can reduce alertness while driving.

7 Tips for Safe and Comfortable Night Driving

Although sometimes driving at night cannot be avoided, such as when working overtime, finishing a late-night meeting, waiting for smoother traffic, or attending an evening event, here are some tips for night driving to ensure your safety.

1. Adjust the brightness of the dashboard and indicator lights

Dashboard and indicator lights that are too bright can be dazzling and interfere with visibility while driving. Use the dimmer switch feature if available, to adjust the brightness of the dashboard lights so that the road conditions remain clearly visible.

2. Use the headlights properly

The vehicle's headlights have two modes: high beams and low beams, each with different functions. Use them wisely.

Turn on the high beams when driving in poorly lit areas, and switch to low beams when another vehicle approaches.

3. Adjust the position of the mirrors

You can adjust the position of the mirrors slightly downward to avoid glare from the lights of the car behind you. You can also change the internal mirror settings to night mode or auto-dimming.

4. Be aware of your surroundings

With minimal lighting, your visibility at night is usually more limited than during the day. Therefore, you must be more aware of your surroundings, especially objects that do not emit light, such as animals, pedestrians, cyclists, and others.

5. Maintain a safe speed and braking distance

One of the important tips for driving at night is to maintain a proper speed and braking distance. In dark conditions, you must be more careful than when driving during the day.

6. Maintain a safe driving distance

You can follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Transportation as follows:

• 30 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 15 meters, safe distance 30 meters.
• 40 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 20 meters, safe distance 40 meters.
• 50 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 25 meters, safe distance 50 meters.
• 60 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 40 meters, safe distance 60 meters.
• 70 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 50 meters, safe distance 70 meters.
• 80 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 60 meters, safe distance 80 meters.
• 90 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 70 meters, safe distance 90 meters.
• 100 kilometers per hour, minimum distance 80 meters, safe distance 100 meters.

As an alternative to measuring the distance between vehicles, pay attention to the rear wheels of the car in front of you. Make sure you can still see those wheels to have enough room to maneuver while driving or overtaking.

7. Consider a safe driving speed

For safety, it is recommended to maintain a low speed when driving at night. This step is considered safer as it makes it easier for you to control the direction and position of the vehicle.

An additional tip for night driving is to ensure that the condition of the vehicle is always in prime condition. Therefore, check the condition of the vehicle regularly.