Travelling by car in darkness can be risky if you don’t follow proper safety guidelines. Here are 5 tips you should always keep in mind while driving in dark:
1. Stop, Sip, Sleep
A survey conducted by the Road Safety Authority revealed that over 1 in 10 drivers have really fallen asleep at the wheel. Almost 1 in 5 motorists, who admit to driving after any amount of alcohol, have fallen asleep at the wheel. RSA advice to “stop, sip, sleep” for those that feel sleepy while driving as tiredness related accidents can result in serious injury. They advice motorists to stop the car in a safe place then sip a caffeine drink and sleep for 15 minutes if they feel sleepy while driving.
2. If Weather Is Not Good
Prior to setting off on a trip, it is advised to confirm if there are any troubles on your planned route. The Road Safety Authority advises to always plan in advance, mainly when travelling in the dark. They suggest sources such as the Department of Transport, local broadcasting stations, Met Eireann, AA Roadwatch and the Garda updates. They suggest that there is also information on local authority websites and for updates on environment on Motorways and National roads there is information on the National Roads Authority Website that is updated on the regular basis.
3. Is Your Car Ready For Winter?
There are a many important checks that all motorists must do to get ready for driving in darker conditions. Preferably a complete tune-up must be done in addition to normal checks. All motorists must look for wear and tear on wiper blades and to change them if they begin to smear and keep tyre pressure at the limit suggested by the company and make sure that the tread depth is right. The spare wheel must be in first-class state and be fully inflated. For cars that have inflation repair equipment instead of a spare wheel, the recommendation is to make sure that you be familiar with how to use it. Motorists should make sure that all lights are functioning and spotless, as an out of order headlight is an offence and should regularly top up with anti-freeze and screen wash.
4. Check your Night Vision
Eye care is frequently ignored by drivers but mainly for those who drive a lot or drive in dark, it is necessary to have regular eye examinations. Some people have trouble in seeing in dark and low-light conditions and suffer from a state identified as ‘night-time blindness’. An eye check will help to identify this. Normally, drivers should compensate for poorer light levels by driving unhurriedly and allowing more time for the ride. Cyclists and pedestrians can be very hard to see at night and in particular during dawn and dusk, so it is necessary to have an updated eye examination.
5. Replace Your Headlights If Needed
Don’t forget to replace your old broken headlights with the new LED headlights before setting up for a journey. If your headlights are not in good working conditions then it can put you in serious troubles later.
