How to make driving at night safer for everyone

We all hate to admit it, but the days are definitely getting shorter.

Gone are the evenings where you could sit outside at 9pm, turn to your friend/partner/dog and say, ‘isn’t it so light for 9pm?!’.

No. It is dark now. And it will only continue getting darker, earlier, for some time.

But it’s not all doom and gloom – the shorter, darker days bring with them the joy of the spooky and festive seasons, long winter walks and plenty of hot drinks to warm up afterwards.

It also means that you’ll need to adjust your driving style in the evenings when the light is fading.

Unfortunately, driving in the dark has been proven to be more dangerous, even though there tends to be less people on the roads.

Reduced vision is the biggest danger, making it more difficult to anticipate hazards and see other road users. 

And there’s the increased likelihood that, if you’re driving later at night, you’ll be more tired – and less alert. The risks are higher for newer, more inexperienced drivers and those who are older, but these risks can catch us all out if we’re not careful.

But with a few simple steps, you can be better prepared for nighttime driving, and feel a little more comfortable when you do venture out after hours.

Here are our tips for driving in the dark.

Clean your headlights

1. Clean your lights and windows

Give yourself the best visibility possible by making sure your windows and lights are sparklingly clean.

Prep for driving in the dark by cleaning your headlights, back lights, indicators, and all of your windows and mirrors. This will make sure that you have maximum visibility in all directions.

Removing any dirt and debris will also minimise the glare from other vehicles that often – and annoyingly – renders you temporarily unable to see.

Make sure the inside of your car is dry to avoid misting when temperatures are lower. Your floor mats are likely to be the biggest culprits here, so make sure they’re left out to dry thoroughly after being subject to muddy boots or spilt drinks.

2. Use your headlights

If you’re in any doubt about whether you should have your headlights on, and your car doesn't do this automatically for you, it’s best to just flick them on anyway. 

As the old saying goes, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

The light from your headlights might not always make the biggest difference to your visibility in the early evening, but they will make you more visible to other road users.

Just make sure you’re using them on low, and you’re not blinding others with full beam by mistake.

It’s illegal to drive without fully functioning front and rear lights, so double check yours are working before you set off.

3. Check your headlight level

Test where your headlights are aimed on the road in front of you.

If they’re aimed too high, they can dazzle other road users and not show you the road ahead properly. Too low, and your wider visibility will be restricted.

Aim them straight to get the best of both worlds.

If you need it, you’ll find the location of your headlight level control in your vehicle handbook.

4. Take your time

You might need to take it a little slower at night, to make sure you remain in full control of your vehicle.

Speed and distances are harder to judge in low light, so increase your following distance when driving in the dark.

Night driving

5. Take regular breaks

According to Brake, the road safety charity, 10-20% of all collisions are likely caused by driver fatigue, with one in eight drivers admitting to falling asleep at the wheel.

For those of us driving at night during unsociable hours, or even after a poor night’s rest, making sure we take enough rest breaks is crucial.

On longer journeys, more frequent stops for snacks, a coffee and a leg stretch can help to keep you focused and alert.

If you feel so tired you can’t keep your eyes open, it’s worth changing your plans, getting someone else to drive, or stopping somewhere to rest for a longer period.

6. Dim your internal lights

The tech and connectivity in newer lease cars can come with added distraction.

At night, lights and sounds in the cabin can cause reflections that hamper your view of the road ahead. 

If you can, reducing the strength of your dashboard and infotainment lights can lead to a more comfortable nighttime driving experience. And remind passengers to keep interior lights switched off, unless it’s absolutely necessary.

7. Have regular eye tests

We all struggle with visibility when the sun has set and the lights are on.

But without having regular eye tests, it’s impossible to know whether your own eyeballs are making the problem worse.

Getting your sight checked regularly gives you the best possible chance to spot dangers when out and about, and could improve your wider quality of life too. It’s quite astounding what the right pair of glasses can do when your sight is starting to get a little worse.

Eye tests are useful for spotting underlying health conditions, too. 

Even if you’re not aware of any problems with your eyes, you should have them tested every two years. 

Volkswagen ID.7 Saloon

What to do if you're dazzled by another road user

Sometimes it’s not our own actions that makes nighttime driving more dangerous.

Other road users who forget to dip their headlights can create an unavoidable and – let’s face it – frustrating hazard.

Using your full beams is essential to see properly on roads when there are no lights. But they need to be dimmed when another road user approaches, or if you reach someone you are following, or you risk dazzling them.

If you’re approaching an oncoming vehicle who’s forgotten to dim their lights, you should try (as much as you can) to avoid looking at the headlights directly.

Instead, focus your attention on the left-hand curb and reduce your speed slightly to keep you on course and avoid crashing into the nearest hedge.

Charging your electric car at night

If you’re heading off cross-country in your new electric car lease, you’ll want to factor in charging your car.

It’s always a good idea to start your journey with a fully charged EV, if you can, to limit the amount of longer stops you’ll need to take to rejuice your car.

But if you do need to stop and recharge, it’s worth bearing in mind that, although the pumps will likely be quieter, there might not be anywhere to sit down with a coffee and a bite to eat. Plan ahead, and make sure you’ve got something on hand to keep yourself and your family occupied.

And a car picnic.

We love a car picnic.

Want to feel comfortable in your new car lease?

Laura Henley

Laura Henley

Laura is a Digital Copywriter in our (award-winning) marketing team, tasked with keeping you up to date with all the latest industry news and gossip. With a wealth of experience under her belt, there's no one better to keep you entertained and informed.